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Bugs have stained my paint

Discussion in 'Detailing' started by Sigo, Sep 14, 2010.

  1. Sep 14, 2010 at 11:46 AM
    #1
    Sigo

    Sigo [OP] Active Member

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    I've got a white 2010 double cab. It's got a couple of yellow and brown stIns in the paint from bug splatters. I've tried all of the general stff to get it out up to applying rubbing compound by hand (3m Perfect it III). Looking for any recommendations. Thanks.
     
  2. Sep 14, 2010 at 11:50 AM
    #2
    Aggie97

    Aggie97 Well-Known Member

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    I've got the same problem...looks like previous owner never washed the dead bugs off the front bumper. Probably will need to be buffed out. I too would like to know if anyone has a good suggestion.
     
  3. Sep 15, 2010 at 6:29 AM
    #3
    Sigo

    Sigo [OP] Active Member

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    I don't think it will be able to be buffed out. I've got a machine but haven't got that aggressive yet. I've tried compound by hand.
     
  4. Sep 15, 2010 at 6:54 AM
    #4
    Gooch

    Gooch Well-Known Member

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    Try clay and if that doesn't work, try bug and tar remover.
     
  5. Sep 15, 2010 at 6:55 AM
    #5
    Aggie97

    Aggie97 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks!
     
  6. Sep 15, 2010 at 7:03 AM
    #6
    95SLE

    95SLE Starting to get cold outside

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    If the clar bar does not work you may need to buff it out. Do you have access to a buffer or a random orbital buffer?
     
  7. Sep 15, 2010 at 7:05 AM
    #7
    Aggie97

    Aggie97 Well-Known Member

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    I do.
     
  8. Sep 15, 2010 at 7:09 AM
    #8
    T@co_Pr3runn3r

    T@co_Pr3runn3r XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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    <----------------->
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  9. Sep 15, 2010 at 11:13 AM
    #9
    95SLE

    95SLE Starting to get cold outside

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    Then I would start with the leastt agressive polish you have to remove the stain. I would still claybar first.
     
  10. Sep 15, 2010 at 11:57 AM
    #10
    Aggie97

    Aggie97 Well-Known Member

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    Thx!
     
  11. Sep 15, 2010 at 12:00 PM
    #11
    Gooch

    Gooch Well-Known Member

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    Just for clarification, you can't really 'stain' acrylic-urethane paint. You can contaminate it (with adhesive, bugs, dirt, etc.) scratch it (inadvertently like I have done off-road, or on purpose with sandpaper or polish, all are scratches), you can dissolve it with acid (like using vinegar), etch it (with bird poop) and you can clean it with soap, solvent or clay.

    Even if someone spray paints your vehicle, it is just sitting on the surface. It is in effect a bonded contaminant.

    The bug guts are also a bonded contaminant sitting on the paint surface. In general, clay is the best way to remove this sort of thing. A solvent that would break down the bug guts but not the paint would also work.

    Polish will 'grind away' at the bug guts but will also remove some paint. The risk becomes polishing an area so much in an effort to get the bug guts off that you remove more paint than is recommended.

    Also, if you are working on the angled area of the hood, it's easier to do damage because only part of the buffing pad is making contact with the painted surface. Thus, you have more pounds of pressure per square inch.

    I strongly recommend the bug and tar remover after trying clay, being careful not to let it drip anywhere else. Then wash the area really well with soap and water when you're done and of course, apply wax.

    In general, I only polish to remove scratches and oxidation. For everything else, I try to use clay or a solvent. I'm not saying that polishing won't work, I just don't feel it is the best method.
     
  12. Sep 15, 2010 at 12:04 PM
    #12
    Snowman

    Snowman I have a problem for your solution…

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    Spray-nine always worked with my old white car.
     
  13. Sep 15, 2010 at 12:43 PM
    #13
    Aggie97

    Aggie97 Well-Known Member

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    good info...thx
     
  14. Sep 16, 2010 at 4:07 AM
    #14
    Sigo

    Sigo [OP] Active Member

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    Thanks for all of the input. I'll give the clay a shot.
     
  15. Sep 16, 2010 at 5:31 AM
    #15
    Aggie97

    Aggie97 Well-Known Member

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    custom tan leather seats, bed track system bike rack, Vision Warrior wheels, smittybilt nerf bars, Extang BlackMax tonneau cover.

    Let me know if that does the trick.
     
  16. Sep 17, 2010 at 4:58 PM
    #16
    v8killerturbo4

    v8killerturbo4 Member

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    Stoner's Invisible glass cleaner will dissolve splattered bugs very easily.
     
  17. Sep 27, 2010 at 2:34 AM
    #17
    coffeesnob

    coffeesnob Well-Known Member

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    try some dilute vinegar
     
  18. Oct 2, 2010 at 11:40 AM
    #18
    gwilli

    gwilli New Member

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    I was always skeptical about this but tried it today and it really works great. I have a white 2010 crew cab and the love bugs are pretty bad here in FL right now and the front end is splattered real bad. I bought the cheap .97 box at Wally World not the expensive brand. I wet the truck down, got all the whole bugs off with my fingernail, wet the softener sheet folded in thirds and started on the leading edge of the hood. I was amazed that the bugs and guts just wipe off with little effort. Prior to this I had a white 01 x-tra cab and did the bug & tar thing and it's a lot of arm work. Works real good on the headlights & foglights too but make sure you wash them off cause it will leave a white film if you don't. My truck looks like I just bought it again.
     
  19. Oct 2, 2010 at 11:53 AM
    #19
    gwilli

    gwilli New Member

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    My white 01 was left home parked under a maple tree for 2 weeks while we were in GA on a hunting trip. It had rained and the yellow leaves stuck to the hood. When we got home and I peeled the leaves off there were perfect yellow leaves now "painted" on my hood. Washing did not take it off. I almost puked. Wax didn't take it off either. I tried Meguiars 3 step paint restoration products and the stain was still there. A guy at work told me to try a clay bar which I had never heard of. It took a long time but I finally got the stains out with the Meguiars clay bar kit.
     
  20. Oct 14, 2010 at 5:40 AM
    #20
    ConnYotaMedic

    ConnYotaMedic Member

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    The best thing to take off bugs and tree sap that I have found is a nice soft dry cloth and purell hand sanitizer. It won't hurt the paint and is not abrasive, unless you are using a garbage cloth. I had looked around and all the bug cleaning products are a waste of money.
     

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