Living in paradise has it's detailing challenges

Ronkh

Ronkh

Wax Waster
20140424_134619_zpsrcpnpahp.jpg



love bugs
20140424_134604_zpsfcj11ixr.jpg



Bet none of these will have the guts to do it again.........
20140424_134550_zps1uaeiuf2.jpg



On the bright side, I haven't washed it since I coated it, so we get to test later
 
Ahh, the "Love Bugs". I encountered those little son of a guns one time somewhere between Venice/Sarasota Fla, and the Panhandle.

Had the cargo trailer in tow with my Tahoe, went to gas up at some gas station god knows where, and man oh man, just opening the door of the truck I was invaded! A literal Blitzkrieg!

My mother lived in Venice Fla for 23 years, and of course I was down there every year. Even in the off snow bird season, detailing vehicles was quite testy, humidity takes its toll on a human body, walking 50', and I'd be dripping at times.

Though the sweet rewards I'd treat myself to often down there, was a trip down to the local jetty, somewhere like "The Crow's Nest", some oysters on the 1/2 shell, fresh Grouper-Pompano Dinner, and a few cold Becks to wash it all down! :-)
 
I think I'd rather have love bugs. Here in rural Mississippi (despite the PA tag...) if you leave early in the morning just before daylight Japanese Beetles will pelt your car. I've gone through 2 gallons of washer fluid this month alone. This was only after this morning...

 
The love bugs ain't nothing compared to MN.

Went up there one late June. '90 Dodge/Cummins towing my Bass Boat I had then.

Czme off the lake, went into town (Detroit Lakes) before they rolled up the sidewalks to get a micky d 1/4 lb'er cheese combo, drove 12-14 miles, and couldn't even see out of the windshield before even entering town.

First priority was getting to a gas station to scrub the bugs off. It was just like being in a torrential downpour, but with bugs. I was doing an "ace ventura" looking out the side window. I made it to eat just minutes before they closed. Also got a jar of Noxema, and two spray cans of Solarcaine at Walgreens before I left town, as I was burnt to a crisp.

Same thing going back out to the lake. Was blind.

Bugs? I don't think anything is as bad as MN in the warmer months.
 
That has to get annoying. A few weeks ago driving on George Bush tollway a hive of honey bees decided to cross the road... All we saw was black dots everywhere and then it sounded like it was hailing kinda. All the cars around me and my car was literally covered in dead bees. I felt so bad since we need all the honey bees alive right now, but nothing could do about it.
 
In colder climates, like New England, the bugs can be worse than here in Florida because they seem to know they only have this tiny bit of hot weather so they come at you with a vengence.

However, down south, Love Bugs are THE WORST. I've had so many of them on my helmet's face shield that I could smell them. Wiping away bugs with my glove just to barely see through the sinewy yellow smear of guts. Picking them out of the radiator is even more fun. We've motorcycled through CLOUDS of those invasive buggers. Gross. They are not indigenous, and were let loose accidentally during experiments at a university, so goes the legend.

In the urban areas, and even suburbs, it's much better.

The other challenge during the hot 7 months is wax durability.
 
MarkD said:
The love bugs ain't nothing compared to MN.

Went up there one late June. '90 Dodge/Cummins towing my Bass Boat I had then.

Czme off the lake, went into town (Detroit Lakes) before they rolled up the sidewalks to get a micky d 1/4 lb'er cheese combo, drove 12-14 miles, and couldn't even see out of the windshield before even entering town.

First priority was getting to a gas station to scrub the bugs off. It was just like being in a torrential downpour, but with bugs. I was doing an "ace ventura" looking out the side window. I made it to eat just minutes before they closed. Also got a jar of Noxema, and two spray cans of Solarcaine at Walgreens before I left town, as I was burnt to a crisp.

Same thing going back out to the lake. Was blind.

Bugs? I don't think anything is as bad as MN in the warmer months.
Click to expand...

Perhaps the volume was greater, but Love Bugs are acidic little creatures that plaster themselves to your vehicle and harden to like-concrete status in a few hours. Making matters worse, these little acid bombs can quickly etch through the clear coat in a day and leave permanent stains that cannot be removed.

Also some areas, like the 1-mile long Lake Jessip Bridge just north of Orlando, will coat the entire front of your vehicle one hour before/after dusk & dawn.
 
Todd Helme said:
Perhaps the volume was greater, but Love Bugs are acidic little creatures that plaster themselves to your vehicle and harden to like-concrete status in a few hours. Making matters worse, these little acid bombs can quickly etch through the clear coat in a day and leave permanent stains that cannot be removed.

Also some areas, like the 1-mile long Lake Jessip Bridge just north of Orlando, will coat the entire front of your vehicle one hour before/after dusk & dawn.
Click to expand...

One of my friends has to have his escalade nose soda blasted and re-painted because of em
 
WaxAddict said:
In colder climates, like New England, the bugs can be worse than here in Florida because they seem to know they only have this tiny bit of hot weather so they come at you with a vengence.

However, down south, Love Bugs are THE WORST. I've had so many of them on my helmet's face shield that I could smell them. Wiping away bugs with my glove just to barely see through the sinewy yellow smear of guts. Picking them out of the radiator is even more fun. We've motorcycled through CLOUDS of those invasive buggers. Gross. They are not indigenous, and were let loose accidentally during experiments at a university, so goes the legend.

In the urban areas, and even suburbs, it's much better.

The other challenge during the hot 7 months is wax durability.
Click to expand...

On my friends bike, I just sprayed bug squash full strength, let it sit a short time, then blasted it with hose. That worked
 
MarkD said:
The love bugs ain't nothing compared to MN.

Went up there one late June. '90 Dodge/Cummins towing my Bass Boat I had then.

Czme off the lake, went into town (Detroit Lakes) before they rolled up the sidewalks to get a micky d 1/4 lb'er cheese combo, drove 12-14 miles, and couldn't even see out of the windshield before even entering town.

First priority was getting to a gas station to scrub the bugs off. It was just like being in a torrential downpour, but with bugs. I was doing an "ace ventura" looking out the side window. I made it to eat just minutes before they closed. Also got a jar of Noxema, and two spray cans of Solarcaine at Walgreens before I left town, as I was burnt to a crisp.

Same thing going back out to the lake. Was blind.

Bugs? I don't think anything is as bad as MN in the warmer months.
Click to expand...

After living in MN for ten years, I can state with absolute certainty you are correct. :D
 
Ronkh said:
One of my friends has to have his escalade nose soda blasted and re-painted because of em
Click to expand...

I have seen cars only a few weeks old that needed to be repainted badly. Particularly mid-2000's Dodge/Chryslers... Just decimated by a few day of love bug love...
 
Todd Helme said:
I have seen cars only a few weeks old that needed to be repainted badly. Particularly mid-2000's Dodge/Chryslers... Just decimated by a few day of love bug love...
Click to expand...


Funny you mentioned that. I worked for Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge as a detail manager for a few years at one point. Those years had some of the worst paint ever!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top