bugs and glass

[Zane]

Hey guys. I have been detailing cars on the side of my job to make some extra money before college starts up. I have a couple problems though. I spend WAY too long getting bugs, tar, etc. off of the cars. I need some ideas to get the bugs off fast but safe and effective. Also, it seems that I just can't get windows completely streak free without spending forever on them. Any suggestions on products, methods, or tools to use? Thanks...

[Blueline]

Re: bugs and glass

For bugs, I usually just soak them in the wash water until they are soft...just a few minutes. Maybe we have soft bugs.
For windows, try a warm water damped microfiber cloth, follow up by a dry microfiber. I never use any window product because they ALL streak, whereas water and a microfiber will not.

[Murr1525]

Re: bugs and glass

For bugs, you can soak them as mentioned above. Sometimes wetting a piece of paper towel or MF to lay over them. Or bust out a wet drier softener sheet.

I dont think my windows are streaky... But the more you can keep after them the better. I like the Nxt Glass Cleaner and MF towels. If the window is clean like after washing, you dont need very much. If it is dirtier, then you may need a lot, then a second pass with only a little. I use RainX also, which i think gets rid of some streaking (and causes its own on occasion, but not the glass cleaners fault)

[PursuitSE]

Re: bugs and glass

For the bugs on the front bumper, if the car comes to me for a wash and wax, I usualy spray for APC+ (10:1) and let soak for 2-3 minutes. Then the bugs are very easy to remove.

BUT, if the car is waxed prior to the wash I only soak the bugs with the water/soap solution for a few minutes. Keeping the front of your car with a fresh coat of wax helps a lot !

For the windows, I like to use NXT Glass Cleaner. Usualy don't have a problem with it.

[JoeDirt]

Re: bugs and glass

If the bugs are wicked on the windshield, I'll pop some of the original 1886 formula BonAmi on there, mist up and rub by hand then rinse well. I usually hit it with the BA at least once a month to keep the road grime off the windshield.

From BA's site:

"People write in all the time with interesting uses for the 1886 Formula Cleaning Powder. One of the most common is cleaning glass. The original formula is safe to use on most glass because the tallow soap means that slurry of the powder and a little water will glide over the glass surface, cleaning away dirt and grime but not scratching. This formula leaves behind a slight, invisible film that protects the glass from salt spray making it a favorite for boats and seaside homes. This film keeps mirrors from fogging up in the bathroom too."

The 1886 formula one is available at good hardware stores. It's a little different than the formula they're using for their kitchen cleanser, sold at WallyWorld, etc.

BonAmi is the recommended cleaner by BMW for cleaning windshields that will not wipe well, and is actually what GM reboxes (Part# 1050011) as their "Windshield Cleaner Bon Ami - Cleaning Powder."

Great stuff!