Cheezy, but good idea.

dougcbx, those Honda products are usually just renamed
name brand products. Just like the Harley stuff is.

 

Believe it or not laundry fabric softener sheets work very well, the softener acts fast on dried bugs and the material is almost as good as microfiber. Have used this for the south Louisiana love-bugs that also extend all along the gulf coast, and sometimes pelt the car in showers by the hundreds!Besides the mess their body chemistry is acidic and the acid that will eat down to the primer when exposed to sunlight/heat. I keep several in the car and use with water then dry, they also make good airfreshner when stored before use.

 

Do not use dishwashing soap on these cars! the surfactants in these dish soaps can strip, dry, and dull the surface. Use professional detailing chemicals and products to achieve the results you desire. 3M, Meguiars, Auto Magic, Malco, Production Car Care, Pro-Products, CarBrite, just to name a few. Also, if you are guessing at how to use detailing products, DON'T! ask a professional to help you.

 

ok so I have picked up that Dawn is not good. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

But is the tire cleaner at the do it your self washes bad? I have noticed that this really gets the bugs off?

 

Stick to products that are made for specific jobs , Products that say for cleaning automotive tires for example. But be careful in which one you pick! some tire cleaners have high pH like 12 or 13 and can be caustic or heavy on the alkaline side, these can stain certain types of wheels. Be sure to always clean your wheels and tires when they are cool and use lots of water.

 

yeah, used to do that when i rode a bike... right up to the point when I started turning blue.
(but it kept the bugs out of my teeth!)

 

might as well stick it on all of your car's panals. you'll only have to wash your car once a month

 

Anyone tried using a diluted vinegar spray? I've heard it works great, but am not willing to try it on my car.

 

A good all purpose cleaner designed to remove bugs, and allowed dwell time, is sufficient to soften and neutralize bug splatter. Some agitation may be necessary and I would recommend a scratchless bug pad from www.autoint.com

 

I have said this here many many many times..use olive oil on the bugs!...it emulsifies them and does not harm paint

 

It never ceases to amaze me what people will use to solve their surface care issues, this is why I stay with professional detailing chemicals and products. I have a solid reputation for consistently producing quality detail services. I don't care if you rub peanut butter on your leather seats, it's up to you. Just please do the research and find out what you should be using before pulling out the chemistry set.

 

many detailers use exactly what I stated FYI

 

Like I said, it never ceases to amaze me. If it works for you go ahead on!

 

don't take this the wrong way but.....
it does work for many other people...just like when your hands are greasy from working on a car use corn oil to clean it ....so i gues than vinegar which also a household kitchen item has no usefulness as a cleaner based on your logic

 

Tell us something, and please do not take this wrong. Bug splatter and bird droppings are extremely acidic and can not only at a visual level, but at a microscopic level, do damage to these 1k and 2k clearcoat systems. What do you use besides olive oil to neutralize or stop the acidic process from continuing on further into the paint system? and don't tell me olive oil because it has no neutralizing effect on these type of surface contaminants.

Also while vinegar is on the acidic side of the pH scale it can break down scale build-up(especially white vinegar) when flushed through an extractor, and it will also break down some forms of light to medium water spotting, but there are much better professional detailing chemicals available that are specificly designed to handle these issues. Your home remedies are certainly a step in the right direction and I can appreciate your enthusiasm also, but the wheel has already been invented and we have come along way since then.

 

so let me get this straight you have never ever heard of either vegeatble or olive as a cleaner or used in any cleaning products......

 

.

You are obviously avoiding my question. Don't assume that I haven't done my homework over the years (23-1/2 detailing), that would be a mistake. Might I suggest you continue using your "olive oil to emulsify" and I will enjoy my caesar salad.

 

sciondetailer, I've heard of a lot of odd things being used to remove bugs from the front of a car, including my wife's brilliant idea - she used Comet Cleanser to get the bugs off the front of hers.

Let's just say some ideas are better than others... :D

 

ive used wd40 to remove bugs and tar from my paint, only before i wash though i dont leave it on there.

 

Tomas:
Sorry to hear about the comet issue on your wifes car. Some folks think it's a good idea to use on clearcoated wheels too, until they discover the results of their efforts. I don't know about you but I have never seen it in the instructions anywhere on the product comet, ajax, etc. that it is clearcoat safe! have you?

You know Victor? He invited me to come to the the Scion event out at Qwest field last Saturday as a consultant in regards to detailing Scions. I don't remember seeing your xB there. Had a great time, look forward to future events.