How to Clean Insects Off a Car's Exterior

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Driving back from a day at the beach and your car gets slapped with bug after bug. It looks like something out of a horror movie! Here's how to get those insects off your windows and car exterior.

Instructions

Car Wash Mitt
Car Wash Soap
High PH Household Cleaners
Soft Cloth
Extra-virgin Olive Oil
Baking Soda
Buckets
WD-40

Suggest Edits

- 1
  
  Mix 1 qt. hot water with 3 tbsp. household cleaner (such as Mr. Clean). For a less chemical alternative, try a paste of baking soda and water.
- 2
  
  Wipe and scrub headlights, bumpers or windows with a soft cloth. Alternatively, use a plastic mesh bag or a sponge covered in mesh - it is abrasive enough to remove the bugs but soft enough not to scratch the glass.
- 3
  
  Try a degreaser, such as WD-40, if the residue is particularly sticky.
- 4
  
  Preclean bug splats, tar spots or bird droppings on the car's exterior with undiluted car-wash solution and a clean cloth or wash mitt. Then wash the car conventionally.

Tips & Warnings

Remove tree sap with a soft cloth soaked in olive oil or other vegetable oil. Rub in a circular motion until the sap is removed. Rinse.
Avoid using anything on the car's paint job that could remove or scratch the paint. Double-check by reading the car's manual about how best to clean the car's exterior.

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Comments

agulesin May 31, 2009
Just use warm water and elbow grease...
Colt2Cat Aug 23, 2007
I have tried everything and I have to say that hands down, the number one way to clean bugs from your car is with the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. No chemicals, no residue, no damage, no scrubbing. Try it and you will never use anything else.
Colt2Cat Aug 23, 2007
I have tried everything and I have to say that hands down, the number one way to clean bugs from your car is with the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. No chemicals, no residue, no damage, no scrubbing. Try it and you will never use anything else.
crazzymann Apr 24, 2007
I followed directions and wasnt that impressed with the results. It doesnt seem to work any better than ordinary car-wash soap. Although I could have just made a simple error and missed something
crazzymann Apr 24, 2007
I followed directions and wasnt that impressed with the results. It doesnt seem to work any better than ordinary car-wash soap. Although I could have just made a simple error and missed something

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How to Clean Insects Off a Car's Exterior

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