Help - Removing dead flies from front of car

A

Andrew_Morris

Member
Herefordshire
Hi

I've now been driving my white Z4 for about a month.

Before I bought it I asked for advice from the forum about whether white was a good idea. Generally the feedback was very positive but I was warned about how much cleaning it would take.

Well, we've now had a few days of warm, humid weather in the UK. I live near permanent wetland and it's that time of the year that every night, thousands of flies sacrifice themselves upon the great altar that is nose of my wonderfully white Z4.

Cleaning the rest of the car is a doddle. In fact I'm getting to enjoy the process and starting to get a little bit anal about it, but I'm really struggling to get the squashed remains of the flies off the front.

When I bought the car I opted for the paint protection and it came with a rucksack of goodies including a bug sponge, but i'm a little scared of using the bug sponge in case it scratches the car or strips too much of the polish off. :cry:

I've thought about getting a little hand held steamer for the job, but that is really a last resort.

Does anybody have any great tips?
 
I find that with a good coat of wax always on the car, the bugs really dont take much to shift. I don't tend to leave them on there long though - no more than a couple of days, and it'll get a wash if its covered in bugs.

I use Klasse AIO and Sealant when I polish the car, and it really helps keep the paint slick so that the bugs come off pretty easily....

I'm sure if you loaded up the front with any good wax tho on a regular basis, that it would have the same effect. :)
 
leave the front of the car till last, whilst cleaning the car keep soaking the front end with the hose and fling on some soapy water etc. by the time you come to wipe it down with a mit/ sponge they shouldnt be hard to shift

only a thought
 
That's the one good thing about a black car... doesnt show the bugs as much...

Seriously though, the wax isea is spot on... I never do it but I have in the past, works like a charm :thumbsup:
 
Andrew_Morris said:
Hi

I've now been driving my white Z4 for about a month.

Before I bought it I asked for advice from the forum about whether white was a good idea. Generally the feedback was very positive but I was warned about how much cleaning it would take.

Well, we've now had a few days of warm, humid weather in the UK. I live near permanent wetland and it's that time of the year that every night, thousands of flies sacrifice themselves upon the great altar that is nose of my wonderfully white Z4.

Cleaning the rest of the car is a doddle. In fact I'm getting to enjoy the process and starting to get a little bit anal about it, but I'm really struggling to get the squashed remains of the flies off the front.

When I bought the car I opted for the paint protection and it came with a rucksack of goodies including a bug sponge, but i'm a little scared of using the bug sponge in case it scratches the car or strips too much of the polish off. :cry:


use some coca- cola, pour it over the dead bugs,let it sit for about 15-20 mins, then use a soft brush ,(old tooth brush will work) ,with some of your carwash , rinse , the coca-cola will soften the bodies of the bugs ,and thus makes it easier to remove them without damaging your paint. i had a white car and this is what i used to remove the "love bugs " off the front grille ,and that's also why i will never buy a white color car again.


:driving:

I've thought about getting a little hand held steamer for the job, but that is really a last resort.

Does anybody have any great tips?
Click to expand...
 
The traditional way is to wet them as mentioned above, but then drape a wet leather (warm is even better) or similar over the front, by the time you get to around to them they will wipe away :)
 
sixspeed said:
I find that with a good coat of wax always on the car, the bugs really dont take much to shift. I don't tend to leave them on there long though - no more than a couple of days, and it'll get a wash if its covered in bugs.

I'm sure if you loaded up the front with any good wax tho on a regular basis, that it would have the same effect. :)
Click to expand...

Right on! :thumbsup:
I also use Dragon Fibre's microfiber power scrubber cloth to safely "scrub"them off.
 
Have a look on ebay for Autosmart G101 it's a trade product so you won't find it in the shops, dilute it down to about 30 - 1, spray it on and the flys will just wash off. It can be used to clean many things but always use it very diluted, it's pro stuff and very strong.
 
cj10jeeper said:
The traditional way is to wet them as mentioned above, but then drape a wet leather (warm is even better) or similar over the front, by the time you get to around to them they will wipe away :)
Click to expand...

Agreed save your money buying off the shelf products that do nothing.

Allways carry a wet leather for removing bugs on long distant drives in hot weather works a treat on the windscreen.
 
sp3ctre said:
That's the one good thing about a black car... doesnt show the bugs as much...
Click to expand...

Of course, every other spec of dust on a black car shows up like a giant sign saying "WASH ME YOU LAZY BUM" :headbang:

I find that with a good coat of Zaino, the bugs clean off very easily. Like Ship suggested, use a claybar to get a good clean base, and then use a high quality polymer like Klasse or Zaino, and your cleaning will be a breeze.
 
Hi Guys

Thanks for the advice. :thumbsup:

I've done a couple of hundred miles this week and got quite an interesting collection of flying insects on the front, including the remains of a rather large green dragonfly!

I will try out some of the ideas at the weekend.
 
PhilDZ4 said:
I think we're all ok with you licking the dead bugs off your own car... no one else's. If you do, can you get someone to take some pics?
Click to expand...

Now we have finally found someone new with some style. I like it. What out for stingers.
 
Stingers... I live in the UK the only dangerous creatures we have here are pigeons who like to s**t on you from a great height..
 
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