Need SERIOUS help with bugs!

Don

Don

Darth Camaro 12/27/15
I have recently gotten several details (with more to come) in an area that is plagued by these bugs that LOOK like mosquitoes, SWARM like mosquitoes, but are not mosquitoes. Any how, the cars I`m getting have absolutely no wax protection at all and these flying menaces are literally CEMENTED to the front ends, windshields and all forward surfaces of the cars.

Washing won`t touch them, neither does an APC. I even tried Meguiar`s Acid Free-Wheel/Tire Cleaner with little results. Using a compound on a microfiber cloth even has little effect.

Is there something I can use to help rid myself of these `cement bugs` before they ruin my reputation?
 
Agree with Ron... Poorboy`s Bug Squash is the way to go.

Mix it 3:1 and spray it on, let dwell for a few minutes and wash it off. Works great and will not harm your LSP.

The mesh microfiber towels are also really good. Highly recommend both.
 
Thanks guys so far between here and AG, ON bug squash is in the lead by a wide margin. I have 2 weeks before my next detail so I will have plenty of time to research and order what I`ll need
 
20140507_131256_zpspkwg6fpu.jpg



20140507_131157_zps5f32snkz.jpg



tapatalk_1490485563268_zpssbbiwql4.jpeg



20160728_120731_zpsnuwphyeb.jpg
 
Bug squash has taken care of any bugs I have ever encountered. It will not take care of any etching that may have occurred so be warned about that and let the customers know/teach them how important wax is to prevent the guts from etching.
 
I use the 1Z (guess that`s "NextZ" now) version and it works fine. Easy enough on my LSPs as long as I don`t let it dwell too long. Hardly ever need it with the FK1000P though.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND USING BUG SPONGES on anything except windshields.

I do recommend using a relatively bug-proof LSP, namely a few coats of FK1000P (gee, big surprise there, huh? :o ). Noting that all bugs/bird-bombs are different, I left some nasty bug splats on the front of the Crown Vic from Sept.-May and had zero etching, and with that stuff they always wash off easily enough (especially with the Bug Juice and a WWMF for Bugs).

Be careful with the wash media- once the bug exoskeleton stuff transfers to the medium it becomes sandpaper IMO. And I trust we all CD-test such stuff first, right?
 
Accumulator said:
I use the 1Z (guess that`s "NextZ" now) version and it works fine. Easy enough on my LSPs as long as I don`t let it dwell too long. Hardly ever need it with the FK1000P though.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND USING BUG SPONGES on anything except windshields.

I do recommend using a relatively bug-proof LSP, namely a few coats of FK1000P (gee, big surprise there, huh? :o ). Noting that all bugs/bird-bombs are different, I left some nasty bug splats on the front of the Crown Vic from Sept.-May and had zero etching, and with that stuff they always wash off easily enough (especially with the Bug Juice and a WWMF for Bugs).

Be careful with the wash media- once the bug exoskeleton stuff transfers to the medium it becomes sandpaper IMO. And I trust we all CD-test such stuff first, right?
Click to expand...

I planned on using microfiber or terry cloth, that should be aggressive enough with the anti-bug juice, to scrub the bugs off the paint, although the bug sponge for glass seems like a good idea, so I`ll probably order one or two of them as well.

LSP-friendly isn`t really a concern (since none of these cars even HAVE an LSP, which is partly what makes things so tough to begin with) as once I get the bugs off, I am applying D151 + Ult Liquid Wax ... The ULW seems to shed bugs pretty well though as I`ve collected a few driving to & from the detail site. A heavy blast from the hose usually gets 90%+ of the carcasses off of the Camaro.

No, I don`t CD test my stuff, but I do use common sense, which says to either rinse out the wash media after scrubbing bug carcasses or at least switch to a fresh area of the towel when moving to a new spot. I think my biggest issue - where I`m detailing these cars, is the "wash area." I`m doing this all outside and the wash area is in full sun, so everything dries FAST, FAST, FAST and the water source is a garden hose with a leak (a leak with inconvenient aim BTW - had me thinking I had lost bladder control for a minute there) so I have no real pressure, just free-flowing water.

The "detailing area" isn`t too bad, it`s under a huge tree that doesn`t spit sap or pollen, but it does hide the occasional avian terrorist - I went to do the `final wipe` on the blue GMC Sierra and found "evidence of hostile avian activity" right on the hood.

**EDIT** I just looked up the 1Z (NextZ) bug pre-treatment and they only sell it is a small bottle - not near enough to handle what I am encountering. I plan on ordering the anti-bug juice stuff by the gallon in the next few days.
 
mayfly.jpg



Turns out these things are `Mayflies` or `Canadian Soldiers.` And the closer you get to Lake Erie, the more prevalent they get.
 
I too was going to suggest 1Z Bug Remover but it looks like Autopia has discontinued it. What a shame as it is my go to bug remover. I wonder if the 1Z window cleaner might work. It is paint safe and removes everything from glass. Every time I think about changing glass cleaners I ask myself, why? The best window cleaner on the Earth.
 
Last month I polished and coated my daughters car with CSL/EXO here is a before wash and after of the front. I used the Poor Boys bug squash (1:1 mixture) and towel which made removal quick and easy.

Bugs.jpg~original
Bugs1.jpg~original
 
Bug removal is actually the one task I`ll do after nearly every drive...

I`ve tried several of the insect removers out there, at all different price points, like 1z/NextZ, PB, Autosol, OPC... carwash soap at full strength... all sorts of things. This has always been a battle, especially with my Wife`s car when she was driving about an hour one-way to work every day. Personally, I`ve come to a point of just a using a coat of Opti-Seal on a clean base, then, bugs can be pre-treated with ONR at clay or detailer-strength. In some cases, especially on side mirror housings, I will take a Webril wipe soaked in ONR and stretch it over the bug area and let it sit to soften up the insects (looks ridiculous to do this, but it works). A MF can work too, maybe cut into 3"x3" sections. The material has to stay damp for it to work.

Bugs which have dried onto nonprotected paint are tough. I`ve had a little bit of luck with incorporating "almost hot" water into the wash/removal process. I`ve also tried some spot bug removal with a bit of the much-maligned Meg`s Wash-Plus. Not saying I`ve used a bunch of it, but it has helped in some cases. I will always take a 5-gallon bucket for whatever wash solution I`m using, then divide off a gallon into a smaller bucket for bug jobs, and keep changing that smaller bucket more often. Someone should make a smaller grit-guard setup.
 
Accumulator said:
Don- IMO you oughta just use a LSP that resists/sheds the bugs so you can just wash `em off.
Click to expand...

the issue isn`t what *i* use for an LSP the issue is that these customers use for an LSP mainly nothing at all. So all these insectile suicides have nothing between them and the paint so when they harden, they are like cement. and I am supposed to be the miracle worker that is able to remove every wing leg and antennae without leaving any scars on the paint even though they have been there for weeks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top