Bugs in front bumper paint?

On my BSP tacoma there seem to be bug residual almost engrained into the front bumper. Is there any way to remove them? I have tried washing waxing etc to no avail. Any tips would be appreciated. Here’s a pic for reference

 

If you zoom in on the pic, you can kind of see the bug residual in the front bumper

 

Coke.

 

Coke?

 

I used some Turtle wax bug remover spray, they are tough to get off after their little bodies splat on the front bumper,i just annihilated a few thousand bugs myself a few days ago. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Turtle-W...75035&wl11=online&wl12=16888962&wl13=&veh=sem

 

Clay bar

 

this helped a lot too https://www.walmart.com/ip/Viking-M...75035&wl11=online&wl12=52162251&wl13=&veh=sem

 

How long have the bugs been on there? Some (esp love bugs) will damage the clear if left on too long.

 

They’ve been on a while. The previous owner never washed it off it seems. Maybe it’s just damaaged beyond repair. It isn’t too bad but yeah..

 

I'm more concerned with the Bullbar.

 

That sucks. I bought a used black FJ that had what looked like bugs all over the a pillars, hood and fenders when sitting on the lot. When it came out of detail it looked the same; the clear was marred pretty bad. Thankfully the dealer fixed it. You may try clay and a buffer if it's not too deep.

 

If bug matter stays on the paint, with the help of direct sunlight, I think what happens is it actually permeates through the paint surfaces to the metal if no action is taken to wash them off. So the appearance is a strange bug splatter underneath the paint and is not removable. I've seen it that bad before.

 

Yes bugs will actually etch your paint. Same with bird poop. Gotta get that stuff off pretty quickly. You could wet sand then buff it, or repaint and then a clear bra installed.

 

I think it'll buff out!

 

Try Simple Green rubbed in well with a soft cloth, rinse then wax.

 

some kind of bug and tar remover....

 

Thanks for all the tips! Gonna give it another shot with a clay bar or the bug and tar remover!

 

If clay bar or bug and tar remover dont take it off, only other option is to wet sand.

 

Wash the bumper than hit it with a clay bar. Mothers makes a great kit with clay, luber, and a microfiber towel. Watch a Youtube video from Adams Polishes or Chemical guys to show you how to do it. Super easy.

If the residual does not come off with the clay bar, you have paint damage.

Bugs, tree sap, bird droppings, berries etc anything acidic eats away at your paint and will damage it over time. These things need to be removed right away.

If you have paint damage you might want to take to a pro detailer for advice. Some minor etching will buff out... others might require a repaint. But you need to see it in person to tell. Your photos don’t show anything.


Ignore anyones advice to wet sand. Horrible horrible horrible advice. Wet sanding is for professionals and very serious paint damage. The vast majority of average joes will screw up an entire panel of their car trying to sand. Bad advice for a bumper (which is plastic and has thinner paint coats), and bad advice for someone with a black vehicle.

 

Wet sanding is great advice. 99% of etching won't buff out alone. I am one of the professional detailer that you speak of. When I mentioned it, I should have clarified that he should have a pro do it, but I'd be willing to be cash that it won't buff out alone, I've been over way way too many cars with etching to believe that.