No one likes the look of a bug-splattered bonnet or windscreen, but did you know they can actually harm your paintwork? Insects are acidic, so they can begin to damage your paintwork if left for too long. So, it’s important to clean off any bug residue sooner rather than later.
In this blog, we’ll talk you through how to remove bugs and insects from your paintwork and glass, to prevent any damage and keep your vehicle looking at its best.
How to remove bugs from your car without damaging the paintwork
First of all, you should give your car a thorough wash. While standard car cleaning likely won’t remove everything, it will help to clear the majority of the gunk ready for you to tackle the remaining stains. Use your favourite pre-wash snow foam and shampoo, and give your vehicle a good clean.
It might be tempting to try and scrub the remaining residue with a wash mitt, brush, or other car cleaning tool, but this can do more harm than good. While an abrasive tool may well lift the stain, it’ll also remove your car’s clear coat finish and even a layer of paintwork.
Since bug splatter is acidic, standard pH-balanced cleaners can struggle to fully remove it, so a targeted cleaning product is needed to remove it without damaging your car.
Spray-on bug removers are a great solution and contain active ingredients designed to lift stubborn bug splatter without affecting your paintwork. The Turtle Wax Insect Remover and Autoglym Active Insect Remover are both great options and can be used as a whole car pre-wash or as a spot treatment to remove stubborn marks.
The Turtle Wax Insect Remover sprays as a liquid and then dries down to a gel so you can get a precise application without drips or smears, while the Autoglym spray can also be used on motorcycles, vans, boats, and caravans to keep everything insect-free!
There are even options for while you’re on the move – the Armor All Bug & Tar Wipes are perfect to keep in the boot or glovebox for when you notice some splatter. Easy and fuss-free, just wipe over any insect residue to remove it.
How to remove bugs from your windscreen
Insect splatter can also affect your windscreen, making your car look grimy and reducing your visibility. Plus, trying to use your wiper blades to clear it often results in unsightly smears across the glass.
Again, give your car a thorough shampoo first of all as this will remove most of the grime, especially on glass. Then, spot-treat any stubborn areas with a targeted bug cleaner that’s suitable for glass. Both the Turtle Wax Insect Remover and Autoglym Active Insect Remover are fine to use on glass surfaces. Buff them off with a microfibre cloth to lift the splatter.
How to protect your car from bugs
There’s not much you can do to stop bug splatter from hitting your car, especially in the warmer months. However, there are a few ways to minimize the impact of any insects and make the cleaning process much easier.
A well-waxed car makes it much easier to remove bugs from car surfaces since it puts a layer of protection between your car and any grime to prevent it from fusing into the paintwork. Adding a protective wax, ceramic, or sealant layer not only keeps your car looking glossy and clean but also makes future cleaning a lot easier.
That’s our guide to removing bug and insect residue from your car’s surfaces. Remember to use targeted cleaning agents instead of force and remove any sticky residue as soon as you spot it!
Running low on car cleaning supplies? We’ve got you covered. Check out our range of car cleaning products online, or pop into your nearest store where one of our colleagues will be happy to help.
