Wondering how to get bugs off your car?
If you drive a lot in the spring and summer, the question of how to remove bugs from your car is bound to come up. The best approach for how to get bugs off your car depends on a few different factors, but no matter how you look at it, itâs important to get it done!Bug âsplatterâ is almost inevitable, especially during breeding season in hot and humid climates like Florida. Bugs are very fast when youâre trying to swat one â the average house fly processes visual data about three times faster than humans. But no matter how fast bugs are, they canât avoid colliding with vehicles.
This might seem like itâs just an inconvenience, but thereâs a crucial reason to clean it up fast. As the organic material left behind by bugs sits on your carâs surface, acids are released. Although these chemicals are relatively weak and nonhazardous to humans, they will easily wreak havoc on the clear coat of your car. After any long drive on the highway, especially in the countryside, youâll probably want to think about how to get bugs off your car. The sooner you do it, the better. Like any stain, it is much easier to remove bugs from car within the first hour. After that, you might need to work much harder to get the job done.
Letâs look at some of the top things you can do to get bugs of your car:
1. Visit The Car Wash
Okay, so this one is a little bit of a cop-out. Still, it can be the fastest and most effective way to do what you need to do. Thatâs especially true when there are other stains that need to be taken care of. A car wash uses a variety of water jets and automated brushes to clean every car surface. It only takes a few minutes of your time, but it can be pricey, so compare it to how long it would take to do the job alone.
2. Drive In The Rain
In a previous post, we talked about the safety risks of driving in the rain and how to prepare for them. Driving in the rain at night is especially tricky. But if you have the option, taking a quick trip in the rain can leave your car much cleaner. The rain is like a shower for your car. Anything left over will be softened up so you can easily remove bug stains using an auto paint-friendly microfiber towel.
3. Use A Bug Removal Sponge
If the problem affects just one area of your car, a bug removal sponge offers an easy fix. These are specially designed automotive sponges, denser and bigger than kitchen sponges. Some include netting that improves cleaning efficiency. Simply spray a small amount of bug removing auto cleaner onto the area, then gently sop it up with a pressing motion. A side to side wiping action could mar your paint.
4. Use A Citrus-Based Degreaser
Choosing organic products for cleaning your car can be remarkably helpful. Because they tend not to include abrasive chemicals, they are less likely to discolor your paint. One popular variety of bug removal product is a natural, citrus-based degreaser. Spray the product on the area to be cleaned, wait three to five minutes, and then rub it gently in circular motions with a microfiber towel.
5. Use WD-40
WD-40 is commonly used as a bug remover because all mechanics stock it and many motorists will have some at home. It is a common water displacing lubricant made from a special blend of lubricating chemicals. Like other products, it can be applied to stained areas and then gently toweled off because it is designed not to damage your carâs finish. Youâll notice bug splatter removal is mentioned on the can.
6. Use Dryer Sheets And A Spray Bottle
If you donât have any specialized cleaners or automotive products handy, thereâs still a simple option that works very well. Place a dryer sheet in a clean spray bottle with water, then spray it onto the car where bug splatter is found. The chemicals in the dryer sheets are relatively gentle and will naturally permeate through the water to make it much more effective than using water alone.
7. Use Baking Soda And A Hose
Another way to approach bigger jobs is to dilute baking soda in a bucket of water. Baking soda is widely used as a substitute for commercial car soaps because it is alkaline and works as a mild scrubbing agent. After applying the water and baking soda mixture, you can wash it off with a gentle spray of warm water from your garden hose. Simply let it stand to dry in the sun.
8. For Windshields Only, Consider Vinegar
Vinegar is mildly acidic and should never be used to clean the finished parts of your car. However, it is surprisingly effective and convenient for windshields, windows, and the rear view mirror. That said, it is unwise to use pure vinegar for the task. Instead, dilute white vinegar in a 1:1 ratio, one cup of vinegar to one cup of water. You can apply it with a microfiber towel or hand cloth. What You Should Always Do After Washing Bug Splatter Off Your Car Now that you know how to get bugs off your car, you might wonder if thereâs any way to keep this big job from happening over and over again. Even the best methods for how to remove bugs from car take some time and effort, but there are certain ways to make things easier in the future.
Consider these extra steps to reduce bug splats:
1. Install a Bug Deflector Attach an automotive bug deflector to the front bumper of your car. As bugs make contact with the deflector, they are swept up over the top of the vehicle and away from sensitive surfaces that might get smeared. Bug deflectors are available from any automotive shop. Cleaning them off once in a while is much easier than figuring out how to remove bugs from car after every trip!
2. Wax Your Car
Have a little extra time on your hands? Waxing your car now could make bug removal much easier later on. To wax your car, it should first be completely washed with water and your choice of cleaning product. Apply wax evenly across the outside of your car and it acts as a surface sealant and water repellant thatâs much easier to clean. Special water repellant solution is available for windows.
Okay, so this one is a little bit of a cop-out. Still, it can be the fastest and most effective way to do what you need to do. Thatâs especially true when there are other stains that need to be taken care of. A car wash uses a variety of water jets and automated brushes to clean every car surface. It only takes a few minutes of your time, but it can be pricey, so compare it to how long it would take to do the job alone.
2. Drive In The Rain
In a previous post, we talked about the safety risks of driving in the rain and how to prepare for them. Driving in the rain at night is especially tricky. But if you have the option, taking a quick trip in the rain can leave your car much cleaner. The rain is like a shower for your car. Anything left over will be softened up so you can easily remove bug stains using an auto paint-friendly microfiber towel.
3. Use A Bug Removal Sponge
If the problem affects just one area of your car, a bug removal sponge offers an easy fix. These are specially designed automotive sponges, denser and bigger than kitchen sponges. Some include netting that improves cleaning efficiency. Simply spray a small amount of bug removing auto cleaner onto the area, then gently sop it up with a pressing motion. A side to side wiping action could mar your paint.
4. Use A Citrus-Based Degreaser
Choosing organic products for cleaning your car can be remarkably helpful. Because they tend not to include abrasive chemicals, they are less likely to discolor your paint. One popular variety of bug removal product is a natural, citrus-based degreaser. Spray the product on the area to be cleaned, wait three to five minutes, and then rub it gently in circular motions with a microfiber towel.
5. Use WD-40
WD-40 is commonly used as a bug remover because all mechanics stock it and many motorists will have some at home. It is a common water displacing lubricant made from a special blend of lubricating chemicals. Like other products, it can be applied to stained areas and then gently toweled off because it is designed not to damage your carâs finish. Youâll notice bug splatter removal is mentioned on the can.
6. Use Dryer Sheets And A Spray Bottle
If you donât have any specialized cleaners or automotive products handy, thereâs still a simple option that works very well. Place a dryer sheet in a clean spray bottle with water, then spray it onto the car where bug splatter is found. The chemicals in the dryer sheets are relatively gentle and will naturally permeate through the water to make it much more effective than using water alone.
7. Use Baking Soda And A Hose
Another way to approach bigger jobs is to dilute baking soda in a bucket of water. Baking soda is widely used as a substitute for commercial car soaps because it is alkaline and works as a mild scrubbing agent. After applying the water and baking soda mixture, you can wash it off with a gentle spray of warm water from your garden hose. Simply let it stand to dry in the sun.
8. For Windshields Only, Consider Vinegar
Vinegar is mildly acidic and should never be used to clean the finished parts of your car. However, it is surprisingly effective and convenient for windshields, windows, and the rear view mirror. That said, it is unwise to use pure vinegar for the task. Instead, dilute white vinegar in a 1:1 ratio, one cup of vinegar to one cup of water. You can apply it with a microfiber towel or hand cloth. What You Should Always Do After Washing Bug Splatter Off Your Car Now that you know how to get bugs off your car, you might wonder if thereâs any way to keep this big job from happening over and over again. Even the best methods for how to remove bugs from car take some time and effort, but there are certain ways to make things easier in the future.
Consider these extra steps to reduce bug splats:
1. Install a Bug Deflector Attach an automotive bug deflector to the front bumper of your car. As bugs make contact with the deflector, they are swept up over the top of the vehicle and away from sensitive surfaces that might get smeared. Bug deflectors are available from any automotive shop. Cleaning them off once in a while is much easier than figuring out how to remove bugs from car after every trip!
2. Wax Your Car
Have a little extra time on your hands? Waxing your car now could make bug removal much easier later on. To wax your car, it should first be completely washed with water and your choice of cleaning product. Apply wax evenly across the outside of your car and it acts as a surface sealant and water repellant thatâs much easier to clean. Special water repellant solution is available for windows.
If youâre taking a lot of long distance road trips, be sure youâre protected with the best car insurance you can afford. Having the best auto insurance is even more important if youâre logging lots of hours behind the wheel every week.
In particular, traveling to other states can put you in a real bind if you happen to get into an accident. Cheap auto insurance coverage from Cheap Insurance can help you protect yourself. Check out our cheap car insurance policies or contact us today for more information.
