Adhesive

I just completed a round trip of 600 miles at interstate speeds in IA and IL.

There must be 10,000 bugs glued to the front surfaces of the truck. Currently, looking at 100*F temps and the task of cleaning.

These "guts" turn into an adhesive that nearly requires C4 to separate from the truck. Why doesn't 3M or other adhesive companies use squashed bug guts for adhesive?

Anyhow, I use a combination of water soak, undiluted Simple Green and a 225 lbs of elbow grease coupled with scrubbing to remove the adhered carcasses.

Anyone know of a method using less elbow grease and scrub time to remove this mess?

 

Damn, I don't think I've had a bug problem that bad. Clay bar usually gets the small scatter I have. Not sure that would work for you.

Nothing like driving through a heavy rain storm for several miles to get off the big stuff off.

Curious to see what people use for this.

 

Only real help is a having a good sealant or coating that makes it more difficult to stick. Beyond that wiping them off sooner than later.

Rinseless wash type products have various dilutions, one will be detail spray, like 1:15 for example, spray down the affected area, let dwell a bit. Spray down a microfiber with same spray and most should come off with a simple wipe even after a day or two.

If you're scrubbing, you're scratching the paint.

Wolfgang Uber, Carpro ech2o, Optimum No Rinse....

 

I used ArmorAll Extreme Bug & Tar remover after a 1800 mile round trip to SW Florida (during love bug season).

Spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes. Went over it with a good wash rag.

Worked well for me.

 

The worst thing I've hit was on the motorcycle road trip with a couple buddies. We ran into a swarm of bees moving to a new hive.....honey, pollen, wax, dead bees, live bees.........

No fairing, just me in armored jacket, gloves, pants and a full helmet (visor down). Managed to "clear/schmear" the visor to see, pulled into the first rest stop. Begged the maintenance crew to borrow their water hose for a bit. When they stopped laughing.....I was able to reduce the mess on me.

I was riding with 2 other guys, they had it worse. No gear and they were leading.



BTW, the scrubbing is with a non-abrasive cloth. Just lots of elbow work.

 

I use Shine Supply Bug Off. Spray it on and let it set, then wipe off. Makes life much easier.

 

bug off, followed by pressure washer.

 

This stuff…

 

Spray nine lol

 

Generally my solution is pretty simple. I'll soak the truck first and use the pressure to get the big and loose stuff. I'll come back and attempt again after it has soaked for a bit (generally as long as it takes me to soak the rest of the truck). Whatever doesn't come off I'll use regular car soap and a mesh bug sponge you can get at places like Meijer or Walmart. Sometimes you need a bit of elbow grease, but I can get 90% of them off with minimal effort.

 

I was driving through central CA a couple years ago which is basically miles of agriculture and farmland reaching the high desert. There was a section of highway we were on that was suddenly filled with what looked like a plague of locusts...turned out to be bees, bees literally everywhere. Thank god I had my window up lol.

Same thing though, bee guts all over the truck. I have a snorkel on and there were bees all up inside my airbox when I opened it up, that was a fun surprise.

 

Griots and Meguiars make some that you spray and let dwell. If they’re really bad may take a couple trys.

 

Well, the temperature is pushing 105*F without Heat Index...... Forecast is calling for more palatable temps next week.

Think I'll hold the bug removal detail til next week. Yeah, I know....a few more days to bake on.

Thanks for the hints.

 

I've had decent results with using white vinegar, spray it on & let it soak, spray again and scrub it off. then continue with washing.

 

Remember the goal is to rehydrate the bugs/guts as much as possible the better you do that the easier they come off.

 

I've heard a lot of great things about P&S Bug Off. It's a relatively new bug remover, but some reputable folks I trust have claimed it works better than anything else they've used. Soon as I get through the rest of my current bug remover spray, I will be picking some up to try for myself.