So I've noticed that over the last few months when I wash my truck I CANNOT for the life of me, get the bug gunk off, looking at KLC's recent picture, makes me jealous cause I can't get my front end that clean!

So my question is what is your technique to get that mess off?


-Thanks!

Here's the pic for reference, haha

 

I just scrub it till they're gone with one of those bug sponge things after I have soaped the truck up... on another note I think I'll be painting my lower valence black after seeing that pic!

 

Haha, thanks!

I usually just use auto shampoo and warm water and a meshed sponge. Or, if that doesn't do it then I recommend: Poorboy’s Bug Squash: Removes bug remains, even Love Bugs, from car windshields and front bumpers. bug remover, pooboys bug remover

 

Pre-soak with Simple Green before you wash it again. I use a very soft bristle brush with heavy suds on painted areas. I just got back from a golf outing last week and still didn't get to detail those dumb bugs off my truck, all that room to play in the open fields along I-65 in Indiana and they still have to play on the high way.

 

haha, alright, thanks guys!

-I've got some simple green in the shop I'm gonna go try it out and I'll let ya know how it goes :-)

 

make sure you wax after you get all the bugs and gunk off because itll probably strip anything you have on, off. i also find surface contaminants way easier to remove if the paint is well prepped with a good wax the previous wash.

 

I'll hit it up with Meguiers NXT after :-)

 

Clay bar + Meguires Quik-Detailer will get all the junk out of the paint. Of course you'll have to re-wax afterwards. My process for paint & grit is this:

Wash with Dawn/dish soap....this will strip off any wax/residue you have previously so don't use it regularly. Make sure you use a seperate bucket and I prefer microfiber wash mitts for this. Sponges and the bug scrubby things can swirl your paint. Keep it rinsed out and wash out and refill the wash bucket if the water/soap gets dirty. Dish soap & water is dirt cheap so keep it clean. Reduces the risk of grit getting on the wash mitt and making swirls in the clearcoat.

Once that is done, pull it in a shady area and soak down a small area at a time with Quik-Detailer. It acts as a lubricant for the clay bar...keep it wet and don't worry if it dries after you're done. You'd be suprised how much junk comes out of the paint/clearcoat. It'll pull the bugs, tar, grit whatever out. Just keep folding it over as you work. Notice how smooth and perfect the paint feels after this step.

Next, pull it back out and wash again with new dish soap/water. This will wash off the dirt/junk and residue left over.

Dry it off, and wax it. Again, I prefer microfiber wax applicators and towels to remove the wax. Think about how scratchy and harsh regular bath towels are on your skin...same goes for your paint. Just remember when you wash microfibers not to use fabric softener in the washing machine. I wash the microfibers seperately due to to that and that the wife doesn't enjoy dirty wax filled towels in our clothes...lol

*important* don't use dish soap to wash regularly as it will strip off your new wax coat. I use cheapo blue car wash concentrate from Walmart for regular washes. And keep these wash mitts and bucket seperate from the ones that have dish soap in them.

Also, if you want to use simple green or similar...I have a small garden sprayer I fill 50/50 with that and water. Works great for tires and undercarriage. No reason to use it full strength. Just be aware that overspray of that on your paint will strip off the wax too so be careful.

 

This is what I use. Works great! the Brand is Ohio Professional Detailing Products but I believe their is a website, just google it and you should find it.

 

I usually never need anything special to get off bugs. The microfiber wash sponge things usually have one side that is like a nylon mesh or something and if you scrub with that side they come off easily. Also don't use micorfiber wax applicators like the guy up there ^ said, use foam ones like what came with the NXT wax. Microfiber sucks for putting on wax.

 

I prefer foam applicators as well.

 

Have you ever tried any other waxes, such as Souveran or Fuzion? I know we each have our own favorites and preferences, but I recommend you pick up some Fuzion. I think you will find you like it much better than NXT.

 

Fuzion = $$$$

 

where do you buy it?

 

This is the smallest size and cheapest place to buy it:

Wolfgang Fzion Carnauba Polymer Estate Wax, carnauba car wax, show car wax, polymer wax, paste wax, Wolfgang German car care

 

CLEAN

 

Tried Zaino, Fusion, etc. Meguires stuff is easy to find, cheap, and more than good enough. But wax & detailing preferences are like A-holes...everybody has one....

The way I see it, if you have a garage kept show car, pay for the good stuff. If you have a Ranger and drive it, use the readily available stuff and just keep on it. It'll still look 100% better than most of the other neglected vehicles on the road.

 

its lookin sharp.

 

Does look good! I love that color especially with the body colored grille and mirror skull caps.

 

I would agree for the most part. If price point and availability determines whether or not you wax your vehicle then obviously go with an OTC product. Keep in mind OTC products are designed from the start as price point products, which means only final monies go into the actual product and ingredients. Boutique products are usually more focused on a truly unique and quality offering because they can afford to use better ingredients. Unfortunately the end product is more expensive but “may” offer something more unique or limited. At the end of the day, that doesn’t make one product better or worse than the other however. So it comes down to the end user making a choice on what works better for him or her. Nevertheless, I don’t believe you will ever find a Souveran or Fuzion at retail.