Bug-splattered paintwork and windscreens don’t only look bad, but did you know they can actually harm your paintwork? Insects are acidic, so they can actually damage your paintwork if left for too long. This guide explains how to safely remove bug residue from your vehicle and how to protect your car so future removal is easier.
How to remove bugs from your car
When removing bug splatters from your vehicle, there are careful steps you should take to avoid damage to your paintwork.
1. Start with a thorough wash
- Give your car a proper wash – it won’t banish stains, but it will remove the gunk and make the job easier.
- Use your favourite pre-wash snow foam and shampoo.
2. Avoid aggressive scrubbing
- You should avoid scrubbing the remaining residue with a wash mitt or brush, but this can do more harm than good.
- An abrasive tool may well lift the stain but it’ll also remove your car’s clear coat finish and even a layer of paintwork.
3. Use targeted bug remover
- Bug splatter is acidic and 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 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!
4. Stay bug-ready on-the-move
If you’re heading out on a camping adventure or road trip, you’re even more likely to run into some insects on the road.
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 and prevent stubborn stains.
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.
- Give your car a thorough shampoo first 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.
- Buff your bug cleaner off the glass with a microfibre cloth to lift the splatter.
Both the Turtle Wax Insect Remover and Autoglym Active Insect Remover are fine to use on glass surfaces.
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.
Keep your car waxed
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.
