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Old 09-18-2011, 07:53 AM   #1
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Dang Bugs!

Well I just spent most of my morning scrubing the Black Bugs or commonly know as Love Bugs off the front of our Tow Vehicle.
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I really hate this time of year in Texas, these dang bugs will cover a tow vehicle and your Airstream!
They stink, and they are heck to get off your TV or AS.
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I and many of you have a good bit of money tied up in our TV's and AS's and we try desperatly to take care of them.

So my question is, do any of you have any tricks or remedies of removing or keeping these bugs off your valuables.
Ive always just used the ole soap, water, and elbow trick but jeez thats lots of scrubing and it seems like you still never get them all off.

This forum is loaded with information and creative people, Im sure someone has a great trick.

So let us all in on it would ya?
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Old 09-18-2011, 09:04 AM   #2
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When I lived in Florida this was a bi-annual problem when crossing Alligator Alley. If I ran into a swarm of love bugs, I would hit the first car wash and pressure was them off before they totally dried out. Some people would spray the front of their cars with Pam or just wrap a bug screen across the entire front of the vehicle. If they dry out, they are hard to remove. You could wrap the front with a wet blanket to help moisten them before scrubbing.
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Old 09-18-2011, 09:44 AM   #3
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Stink bugs are equally awful, and love, love, love the shiny and reflective surface of Airstreams.

We came across these stinkers in Pennsylvania a couple of years ago and were finding them crawling out of crevices inside and outside the RV for months. At least one of them survived the sub-zero temps in Illinois, only to crawl out onto the inside of the windshield late January when we were heading south and it had warmed up.

Turtle Wax, I think, makes a pretty good spray on product that we treat the front of the AS with several times a year. Makes the stuck-on and dried carcasses come off easier at the car wash.


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Old 09-18-2011, 09:56 AM   #4
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I heard a light misting of WD-40 makes them come off easy, IF you put it on before you get the bugs. Like a lot of things, an ounce of prevention.....
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Old 09-18-2011, 10:36 AM   #5
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I've not experienced these but posts at AIR bring me to understand what a mess they are!

Pics - http://www.airforums.com/forums/f415...tml#post394424
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Old 09-18-2011, 10:58 AM   #6
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Thanks for visiting Wizards Products!

I use Wizards Bug Release. Click to enlarge Bug Release™
All Surface Bug Remover
Part No. 11081, 22 oz, 12/Case
• Quickly removes bugs and residue
• Neutralizes acidic bug proteins
• Safe for all vehicle paint, chrome, glass and plastics
• Non-toxic, biodegradable
• Use as a presoak or spot cleaner

This stuff really works. A bit pricey but worth it.
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Old 09-18-2011, 05:01 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tkasten
Thanks for visiting Wizards Products!

I use Wizards Bug Release. Click to enlarge Bug Release™
All Surface Bug Remover
Part No. 11081, 22 oz, 12/Case
• Quickly removes bugs and residue
• Neutralizes acidic bug proteins
• Safe for all vehicle paint, chrome, glass and plastics
• Non-toxic, biodegradable
• Use as a presoak or spot cleaner

This stuff really works. A bit pricey but worth it.
Can it only be bought online?
Would any auto parts stores carry it?
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Old 09-18-2011, 05:12 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jsmith84 View Post
Can it only be bought online?
Would any auto parts stores carry it?

I got it at an auto parts store in Michigan.
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Old 09-18-2011, 05:15 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tkasten

I got it at an auto parts store in Michigan.
Thanks! I'll take a look locally and see if anyone carries it.
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Old 09-18-2011, 05:53 PM   #10
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If you get caught in a swarm of lovebugs here or in Ga, as soon as possible get them off, they will destroy paint. If you didn't prespray PAM then the job is a little harder. If you have old paint, not new clearcoat, you can pull some spanish moss of the tree and use it like a scrubby, lots of water.
I was out today and ran into a swarm while waiting for a light in town, rolled up the windows fast and put on the a/c, didn't go over 30 to the store and no bugs were harmed.
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Old 09-18-2011, 06:25 PM   #11
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If I have the forethought to spray in advance with WD40 they wash off easier. You can wipe it off and just leave a shiny sheen. After the fact, RainX will help get them off easier after the fact.
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Old 09-18-2011, 06:37 PM   #12
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Good reason to wax or use Walbernize.

That bug, "WAS" Florida's infamous "LOVE BUG".

They usually fly in huge swarms, and if you hit it, with your tow vehicle and/or trailer, you were almost totally covered.

That's why Florida has periodic "FREE" wash stations, on the interstate.

Andy
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Old 09-18-2011, 06:37 PM   #13
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Hmm

I see lots of people talking about using Spam or WD-40. I will admit Im curious to try it but at the same time Im a bit of a chicken.
I just dont know about spraying either one on the black paint job.
Im just very cautious when it comes to washing or TV, I wont even use a pressure washer on it.
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Old 09-18-2011, 07:22 PM   #14
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Laundry dryer sheets will take the bugs off!
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Old 09-18-2011, 07:46 PM   #15
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?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mhilley View Post
Laundry dryer sheets will take the bugs off!
Really?

How does that work?
Seems like that would scratch the paint huh?
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Old 09-18-2011, 08:14 PM   #16
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We are in the middle of love bug season here in southeast ga too. I find that pam just makes a mess. I make sure to put a fresh coat of good wax on the front end prior to the bugs, get them off asap. I use meguires carnuba wax, then soap and water will get them right off. If I am on the road I keep a bottle of meguires mist detailer and a microfiber rag.
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