How to Clean Insects Off a Car's Exterior

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.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

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

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.

[agulesin]

on 5/31/2009 Just use warm water and elbow grease...

[Colt2Cat]

on 8/23/2007 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]

on 4/24/2007 I followed directions and wasn’t that impressed with the results. It doesn’t seem to work any better than ordinary car-wash soap. Although I could have just made a simple error and missed something

on 6/30/2006 Any time you use a degreaser, you will get all the gunk and grime off your finish, but you will also eat through some of your cars wax finish and even the clear coat on the paint. Be sure to re wax the car after using a degreaser every time, or you run the risk of ruining your car's paint job.

Other than this, waxing doesn't need to be done very often. Only if you notice scratching or blemishes on your finish.

Use a clay bar to remove all the dirt and particles that are left behind after you wash the car, and then use a good quality carnuba wax or synthetic liquid wax. You can look up a number of waxes online to see which ones are rated best.

on 2/14/2006 Hot Shot by Websco cleans bugs as well as de-ices the windshield, and it's easy to install; especially with the new wireless switch!