You’re driving down the road, and you hear the gross splat of a dead bug, but did you also know it is one of the biggest causes of paint damage on Australian vehicles? Long highway drives paired with the summer heat, and you get baked on bugs all over your vehicle. But how do you remove bugs from your vehicle?
When those bugs get left on your paintwork for too long, they can stain, etch, and even permanently damage the clear coat layers on your vehicle.
Moreover, we’re going to look at how you can safely remove bugs from your car without harming the paintwork and see when you should call the professionals in, as well as exploring long-term protection for your vehicle.
Why Bugs Damage Car Paint
The insects that hit your windscreen contain acidic compounds that begin breaking down from the moment they make contact with your paintwork. In our hot Australian climate, the high temperatures can really help to accelerate this process, therefore removing bugs more quickly is vital.
Some of the most common insect damage we see includes:
- Clear coat etching
- Permanent staining
- Dull or patchy paint finish
- Increased surface roughness
It’s common for bug residue to bond more aggressively to unprotected paint, especially on areas of your vehicle like bonnets, mirrors, headlights, and windscreen edges that see the most bug on vehicle combat.
What Not to Do When Removing Bugs
We’ve got some of the most common mistakes that you should avoid at all costs, as many end up causing more damage than the bugs themselves.
- First of all, do not scrape bugs off with fingernails, cards, or plastic tools
- Do not use dry cloths or paper towels
- Do not use household cleaners or degreasers
- Do not scrub aggressively
All of the actions above can easily cause micro-scratches, swirl marks, and even clear coat thinning.
Safe DIY Steps to Remove Bugs From Your Car
If the bug residue is fresh and light in the first place, you can, in some cases, follow the steps below to remove bugs and bug residue yourself.
Step 1: Work in the Shade
Firstly, wait until your car is nice and cool in the shade before you get to work. Heat can increase the risk of scratching or, even worse, chemical reactions.
Step 2: Pre-Soak the Area
Next, using either bug remover designed for automotive paint or pH-neutral car shampoo mixed with warm water, pre-soak the area. Simply apply your method and allow it to sit for several minutes to soften the residue without abrasion.
Step 3: Use a Soft Microfibre Cloth
After that, you can gently wipe away using straight lines without applying any pressure. Simply let the product do all the hard work for you.
Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly
Grab some clean water and rinse off the remaining product and residue. Make sure you’re thorough, and nothing gets left behind.
Step 5: Dry Safely
Finally, you should carefully pat the area dry with a clean microfibre towel and avoid rubbing at all costs!
If stains or shadows remain, the residue has unfortunately already etched the surface, and you require professional paint correction to fix the issue.
When Bug Damage Needs Professional Detailing
Even if you’re feeling a little unsure about the process, having the help of a professional to take care of your vehicle can put your mind at ease and in addition it can offer your vehicle protection against future messes.
Overall, professional car detailing intervention is recommended when:
- Bug marks leave visible stains
- Paint feels rough after cleaning
- The clear coat appears dull or cloudy
- Bugs have been left on the vehicle for days or weeks
Here at Australia’s Detailing Group, we use only the best professional-grade products, controlled techniques, and also paint-safe tools so you can be sure we will remove the contamination, for example, bugs, without damaging your vehicle’s clear coat.
To summarise, a full detail from Australia’s Detailing Group includes:
- Wash and chamois
- Interior vacuumed
- Mag wheels and hubcaps
- Dash, console and doors
- All windows and mirrors
- Carpet deodorized
- Tyre shine
- Interior plastics conditioned
- Spot stains removed
- Door jams wiped out
- Upholstery and carpet shampoo
- Leather cleaned and conditioned
You will find our full detailing process is the best way to restore paint clarity in particular, and also remove any damage in ways DIY methods simply cannot.
How Ceramic Paint Protection Helps Prevent Bug Damage
Should you need a way to protect your vehicle from future bug damage, then ceramic paint protection creates a bonded layer over your paint that significantly reduces the rate of bug adhesion.
In fact, some of the biggest benefits of ceramic paint protection are:
- Bugs rinse off more easily
- Reduced staining and etching risk
- UV and heat resistance
- Longer-lasting gloss
- Easier ongoing maintenance
Furthermore, you will find that vehicles with ceramic protection usually require just a gentle rinse to remove fresh bugs as opposed to drastic cleaning.
At Australia’s Detailing Group, we are also able to come to a location to suit you and apply ceramic coatings as a part of our mobile car detailing package.
Book in with Australia’s Detailing Group Today
Finally, if bug marks are getting you down or you want long-term protection for your vehicle, contact us today! Or you can book in with your nearest professional detailing team using our handy online booking form.
We’re ready to look after your car wherever you need us!
