Bugs & Paint

4

4RunnerV8

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I travel a lot (40000 miles annually) for work, and being new to the deep south (lower AL & North FL), I hadn't before encountered the "love bug." These things are the most difficult thing I've ever tried to remove from paint & windshield. Question is, can they cause any paint issues? I was washing off 2 weeks of travel off the front of my 4Runner, and actually had paint come off of the bracket holding the mirror to the door... Anybody had any similar experiences? And how do you get these terrible bugs off of your windshield & paint without damaging something? Enlightenment on the bugs - they are bugs that come out every fall and reproduce in the air - thousands of bugs attached butt to butt...hence, the name lovebug. Had I known about the love bugs & the fire ants, I would have stayed in NC!

2004 V8 4WD SE - Galactic Gray
 
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I was stationed in Clearwater, FL when I was in the Coast Guard so I am very familiar with love bugs. Weirdest thing I ever saw when I first encountered them coming from Colorado. I don't think they are any better or worse than any other kind of bug that gets on your car. Maybe just a pain because there are so darn many of them.

Just be careful when you try to use any high pressure washers. I've seen them take flesh right off the bone, so you can imagine what it can do to a car's paint job as well. A good soaking (going over the car with water for a while) before you try to get them off could help too, kind of like doing dishes. Eventually they will come off.

If you think it's tough getting love bugs off of your 4R, try getting them off of a C-130. :biggrin2:
 
That's basically what I do, let em soak for a while before I was the front surfaces of the vehicle. I actually wash the whole vehicle and leave the front bumper for last, as I keep the car rinsed and wet the whole time I wash just up until the moment I grab towels to dry it off, so the water does not have time to evaporate and leave behind mineral deposits. So the constant soaking as I wash softens the mofos enough they wipe off with the wash cloth with some gentle rubbing.

Also, an extra coat or two of wax on the front bumper/grille, and some Rain-X on the windshield will help them come right off.
 
lovebugs

Ive been dealing with these bas****s for 3 weeks now, but i think that are FINALLY DONE.
I put two coats of wax on my truck about a month ago, and i just so happened to time it out right before lovebug season.

I dont know if its that they are WORSE for your car or just the fac that there are fvcking literally trillions of the things.......on the highway.


I heard an wives tale the other day that spraying 'pam' baking grease on the front of your wtruck will make them unable to stick, but seeing as the season is over and I dunno if i wanna put it on my truck ill let someone else test that out....
 
Re: lovebugs

T?@\7 said:
I heard an wives tale the other day that spraying 'pam' baking grease on the front of your wtruck will make them unable to stick...
Click to expand...

I had just heard the same thing as well. Has anyone ever tried this?
 
I have had to deal with them too, living in south florida. I have heard they can damage the finish on your paint, so it is a good idea to get them off. I have found that simple green works well to get them off. I spray them with a hose first, then simple green and wipe off with a sponge. I hope this helps.
 
Never has the term "little f'ers" been more appropriate! I experienced love bugs in June while traveling from Orlando to St Lucie. OMG what a mess! Fortunately the turnpike has a windshield wash area which soaks the front of the truck water from a nozzle.

I found a product called bug free, wipes that claim to remove even stubborn love bugs. Since I live in Maine, far away from the love bug, but home to many other bugs, I picked up a container at Sam Waltons place. They worked well, provided you work in the shade, which keeps the surface wet longer allowing the bugs to dissolve.

Other than that, try drafting a semi as much a possible :biggrin2:
 
Re: Re: lovebugs

SDragon said:
I had just heard the same thing as well. Has anyone ever tried this?
Click to expand...

It works, although I've never used it for this purpose. I've used it, seen it most used, to keep rubber from sticking to the rear quarter panels at the track...

Honestly it's more a PITA than anything (I stopped using it), just keep a nice coat of wax/sealant/polish on it and you should be fine. It's difficult to remove with washing and will ruin wash mitts.

I do endorse using it inside your wheel wells, keeps the melted rubber to a minimum and makes it very easy to remove.
 
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