Don't Let Bug Goo Make A Sticky Mess of Your Exterior

A midsummer's drive can turn your vehicle into a piece of abstract art, especially in rural areas where insects are thickest. Bug goo bakes under the sun and slowly eats away protective coatings.

How can you prevent insect juice from permanently damaging vehicle paint and chrome?

“Heat accelerates the interaction of the bug remains with the paint finish,” said Michael Schultz, the vice president of product development at Turtle Wax. “The organic acids within them can result in paint etching that is hard to remove.”

Water alone won’t rinse away their desiccated remains. This job requires cleaners and elbow grease to wash away that insect graveyard, said Schultz.

Filling your reservoir with specially formulated cleaners helps wash away film while on the go, but you’ll still need to address the fender, hood and side mirrors.

Below are some tips for getting those dried out bug remnants off your vehicle:

• Fill the window wash tank with fluid or additives designed for bug removal. A quality bug fluid helps remove gooey insect parts and prevent streaking when you use windshield wipers.
• Look for soaps and cleaners designed to remove bugs from vehicle surfaces. Be sure it is intended for automobile surfaces and rinses easily.
• Avoid harsh solvents such as detergents. Dish soap or household cleaners can permanently damage paint and rubber surfaces.
• Sponges with soft netting traps insect parts. Gently wipe the surface but be sure to rinse the sponge frequently. Insect parts trapped in the netting acts like sandpaper.