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Snows gone,grass is green,and the bugs are back
Because I have a 100 mile daily commute,I get major bug splats.
I keep the car waxed and detail polished.
The bug remover products seem kind of harsh,so I don't use them.
For the windsheild I used to use bug windsheild washer fluid in a spray bottle,it's cheap by the gallon,but does not work that well.
I have a bottle of Eagle 20/20 glass cleaner,it works better,cleans the bugs off easy,and wipes clear quickly.Will this stuff hurt plastic,can I use it on the black A pillars,headlights?Will it hurt the leading edge of my white roof?
Now on to the bonnet,front bumper.Detail polish does work,but I have to do this every day,and it uses up alot of product.Is there a product that will clean but not hurt the finnish?
I don't mind spending the time,just looking for the best products,ways of doing this daily time I spend with my MINI
I have a bottle of Eagle 20/20 glass cleaner,it works better,cleans the bugs off easy,and wipes clear quickly.Will this stuff hurt plastic,can I use it on the black A pillars,headlights?Will it hurt the leading edge of my white roof?
Now on to the bonnet,front bumper.Detail polish does work,but I have to do this every day,and it uses up alot of product.Is there a product that will clean but not hurt the finnish?
I don't mind spending the time,just looking for the best products,ways of doing this daily time I spend with my MINI
Eagle 20/20 is a great glass cleaner and an excellent value. It is non-ammonia and safe for your plastics and trim. Repeated overspray of any cleaner will degrade wax over time so pay attention to getting it on the paint often. Maybe just touch up with wax once in a while.
On the front end, do you mean Quick Detailer. or an actual polish? You should use a good wax as a base and use QD frequently to remove bugs. Works wonders.
What wax do you have?
__________________ Bloomquist Garage! '04 PW Mini Cooper S....Gone but still here in spirit! My Other Rides.
I have 3 layers of Meguiars NXT on the car,4 on the bonnet.I use a quick detailer to clean off the bugs.I always spray products on the cloth then wipe it on,easier to get it where I want it.
Mostly I wanted to know about the class cleaner and plastics.
And the QD does work well for the bugs.
I have 3 layers of Meguiars NXT on the car,4 on the bonnet.I use a quick detailer to clean off the bugs.I always spray products on the cloth then wipe it on,easier to get it where I want it.
Mostly I wanted to know about the class cleaner and plastics.
And the QD does work well for the bugs.
Again,Thanks
You're correct that in most applications spraying the applicator or microfiber and then wiping on the car is the proper way, but with QD go ahead and spray the vehicle directly. This lets the QD get a second of "soak" time to lift the dirt, dust (or bugs) and ease the removal. Less chance of scratching.
__________________ Bloomquist Garage! '04 PW Mini Cooper S....Gone but still here in spirit! My Other Rides.
I find that with a few layers of Z2, all it takes is a hose off and a quick wipe with my hand, everything comes off in a few seconds, even the biggest splats.
Then, of course, there's always the "bra" method. Doesn't do much for the windshield, but only takes a few minutes to put on and take off on a nice day.
You do have to clean the bra, but the paint is still protected underneath. The bra cleans up much more easily than the paint and isn't easily scratched. This was a side benefit of a clear bra I had not anticipated , although to be honest, for some reason the bugs weren't as bad this year as they were last year.
I may be mistaken, but I've heard Canada has some legendary bugs.
I never understood people that put plastic over the living room furniture ;) Me personally, I like that way the car looks. If someone made a car that looked like a bra, I wonder if they would cover it with a bumper-look-alike cover? hehehe
I never understood people that put plastic over the living room furniture ;) Me personally, I like that way the car looks. If someone made a car that looked like a bra, I wonder if they would cover it with a bumper-look-alike cover? hehehe
I love the looks, too, but if your commute is as bad as lot15's, and the bra is easy to clean, then I'd continue to go with the bra. If it gets trashed, you get another one, and you're only out $60. Plus, it comes off easily, so you can continue to enjoy the clean lines of the car for many years.
I regularly do drives with another River City MINIs member, and his Kumho's throw a bunch of rocks. As it warms up, I'm going to be putting the bra on the car every time I join him. Why take the chance? (I realize this thread started with bugs, but rocks can be as big a problem on a 100 mile trek as bugs, and the bra keeps 'em both off the paint.)
Again,thanks Brad,I do mist with the QD.Its the cleaner type stuff that I put on the applicator.
Yeah,we gots lots of bugs up here
I'd rather clean my car,touch-up the stone chips,than wrap it in plastic
Now if someone came out with a windshield clear film,I'm in.After I change my pitted 2 year old one
I have some bug crap on my front end that i cannot get off for anything. I have washed that area three times, used some tar and bug remover, QD, even claybarred, and I still have shellac that won't come off! I sure as heck don't want to wax over all that and i have avoided my usual 100 miles a day until I can get this taken care of. But I need help. I need to do this by Wednesday morning when I leave on a road trip.
Try soaking the area for a long time with soap and warm water.If on a vertical surface,use a wad of paper towel that will stick to the area,keep it wet,and don't rub it.If soap and water does not work,try it with the bug remover.
Not sure if it would hurt the clear coat,but dabing it with nail polish remover should take it off.What ever you do,don't rub it,as you may just spread it around.
Hmm, I don't think that's sold here, though I may order some if I can for later. I've gotten most of it off doing what lot suggested. I'll try again when I get back from my final. The sight of me sitting on the ground in front of Zooty is becoming rather common.
I used the soak method on the windshield of my Harley and it always worked...used a 100% cotton towel soaked in warm water and drapped it over the windshield...came back 15minutes later and hosed the buggies right off. RIP!
Rather than wait, I just hauled out the warm soapy water and washed them all off this afternoon. Ugh, found a microscopic stone chip...my Max is marked for life!!
...but I will be doing the soapy water bug-off thing again tomorrow...since tomorrow is THE DAY (break-in complete!!!)
__________________ "Max" (PS/B MCS)
Run with the big dogs, or stay on the porch!
Here are some good cleaning tips from my library of how to clean stuff.
I can't remember where I got this but most of it works really well.
NOTE: DON'T EVER PUT NAIL POLISH REMOVER ON YOUR CAR. Nail polish remover is acetone. Acetone is a really good paint remover.
- To remove bugs from your car's surface, use baking soda on a damp sponge and apply to the bugs on the car's surface. Let sit for a minute and then remove by washing the car.
Removing Stains & Other Icky/Sticky Stuff
We've all experienced the horror when something "icky" gets spilled inside our cars. Here are a few tips to bail you out the next time it happens to you:
- To remove egg from the interior of your car, pour seltzer water (not tonic or club soda) over it and wait until it stops sizzling, then wipe clean.
- To remove adhesive from stickers or tar, spray WD-40 onto the adhesive. Allow it to soak for a minute, then wipe clean. Reapply if necessary.
- To remove gum from fabric or vinyl upholstery (not leather), place an ice cube in a plastic bag. Apply the ice to the gum, allowing it to freeze until quite hard. Gently scrape away the gum with a dull knife.
Another tip for removing gum from fabric upholstery is to use "Goo Gone" (from your local hardware store). Apply it a bit at a time and it dissolves the gum very quickly. Then spot clean the area. But be careful: Car seats are usually a plastic fiber, not true cloth, which Goo Gone might dissolve. Test in an inconspicuous area first.
- To remove gum from leather upholstery, use canola oil or any type of vegetable oil. This method does not ruin leather's finish or softness.
- To remove gum from your car's carpet, use Murphy's Oil Soap - the light oil base reduces the stickiness of the gum and allows you to wash away the problem. Make a sudsy bowl with two cups of warm water and a tablespoon of soap. Wash the area with a cloth dipped in the mixture. Then rinse with clear water.
Another tip for removing gum from your car's carpet is to rub peanut butter on the area and then clean the spot with soap and water.
- To remove melted chocolate from fabric upholstery, allow melted chocolate to dry and harden. Scrape off completely dry chocolate with a blunt knife. Then use carpet shampoo and a soft bristled brush to gently work shampoo foam into the stain. Use a damp sponge to wipe away the foam. For stubborn stains, try using a liquid stain remover.
- To remove grease and oil from your car's fabric upholstery, blot or scrape away excess oil or grease. Apply an absorbent cloth or rag to the stain and leave it for a few hours. Apply a laundry pre-treatment product (stain remover) to the stain. Sponge with warm water. Note: If the stain is an old one, lather a small amount of petroleum jelly onto the stain and let it sit for 15 minutes instead of several hours. NOTE: Leather interiors should be cleaned professionally.
- To remove grease and oil from your car's carpet, remove excess oil or grease by blotting or scraping. Place a sheet of butcher paper on the stain, glossy side up. Gently press the tip of a warm iron over the affected area. Lift the paper from the carpet after it absorbed the grease. Apply carpet shampoo with a moist sponge if any residual stains remain. Wipe away the carpet shampoo foam with a clean, dry towel.
Another tip for removing grease, oil or tar from your car's carpet is to pour cornstarch onto the spot. Rub in lightly and let sit for two to three hours; then vacuum.
Other recommendations for removing oil and grease from carpet include using a product called Capture (from Sears) or using WD-40. Don't forget to use a regular carpet cleaning product after using WD-40!
- To remove all kinds of stains, try Tuff Stuff (from Simonize). Just spray it on the stain, brush it and rub with a clean terry cloth. The stain will disappear and it smells great, too!
- To remove stains from your carpet, use a cup of warm water with 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap and a clean cloth. Dip cloth into water and soap mixture and lightly sponge stain. Even tough grease will disappear. If it's a stubborn stain, repeat the process.
- To deep clean your carpet, vacuum first. Then get a wire brush and gently drag it over the carpet to make it stand up. Vacuum again to get the dirt out. Then wet the carpet with a damp rag and allow to dry thoroughly.
- When you shampoo your car's carpet, try using a cleaner called Citrus Cleaner (from your local hardware store). When you mix it, use 50% water and 50% cleaner; for tough stains, you can use 75% cleaner and 25% water.
An effective bug repellent...half of the Colgan bra. Actually, I think it looks pretty good.:smile:
2 minutes to put on; 15 seconds to remove. Easy clean. Voila!
__________________ "Max" (PS/B MCS)
Run with the big dogs, or stay on the porch!
Still on the bug issue, How would you recomend getting all the bugs out of the radiator. I swear after my trip I have a few hundred embeded there.
Thanks
Shawn
I go to a wand wash, and spray them off THROUGH the grill. That gets rid of most of them. I don't want to risk bending rad fins or getting electronics wet.
Then drive home, that dries them out, and you can just use a soft brush to wipe them away. You could vacume them out too.
Here are some good cleaning tips from my library of how to clean stuff.
I can't remember where I got this but most of it works really well.
NOTE: DON'T EVER PUT NAIL POLISH REMOVER ON YOUR CAR. Nail polish remover is acetone. Acetone is a really good paint remover.
- To remove bugs from your car's surface, use baking soda on a damp sponge and apply to the bugs on the car's surface. Let sit for a minute and then remove by washing the car.
Removing Stains & Other Icky/Sticky Stuff
We've all experienced the horror when something "icky" gets spilled inside our cars. Here are a few tips to bail you out the next time it happens to you:
- To remove egg from the interior of your car, pour seltzer water (not tonic or club soda) over it and wait until it stops sizzling, then wipe clean.
- To remove adhesive from stickers or tar, spray WD-40 onto the adhesive. Allow it to soak for a minute, then wipe clean. Reapply if necessary.
- To remove gum from fabric or vinyl upholstery (not leather), place an ice cube in a plastic bag. Apply the ice to the gum, allowing it to freeze until quite hard. Gently scrape away the gum with a dull knife.
Another tip for removing gum from fabric upholstery is to use "Goo Gone" (from your local hardware store). Apply it a bit at a time and it dissolves the gum very quickly. Then spot clean the area. But be careful: Car seats are usually a plastic fiber, not true cloth, which Goo Gone might dissolve. Test in an inconspicuous area first.
- To remove gum from leather upholstery, use canola oil or any type of vegetable oil. This method does not ruin leather's finish or softness.
- To remove gum from your car's carpet, use Murphy's Oil Soap - the light oil base reduces the stickiness of the gum and allows you to wash away the problem. Make a sudsy bowl with two cups of warm water and a tablespoon of soap. Wash the area with a cloth dipped in the mixture. Then rinse with clear water.
Another tip for removing gum from your car's carpet is to rub peanut butter on the area and then clean the spot with soap and water.
- To remove melted chocolate from fabric upholstery, allow melted chocolate to dry and harden. Scrape off completely dry chocolate with a blunt knife. Then use carpet shampoo and a soft bristled brush to gently work shampoo foam into the stain. Use a damp sponge to wipe away the foam. For stubborn stains, try using a liquid stain remover.
- To remove grease and oil from your car's fabric upholstery, blot or scrape away excess oil or grease. Apply an absorbent cloth or rag to the stain and leave it for a few hours. Apply a laundry pre-treatment product (stain remover) to the stain. Sponge with warm water. Note: If the stain is an old one, lather a small amount of petroleum jelly onto the stain and let it sit for 15 minutes instead of several hours. NOTE: Leather interiors should be cleaned professionally.
- To remove grease and oil from your car's carpet, remove excess oil or grease by blotting or scraping. Place a sheet of butcher paper on the stain, glossy side up. Gently press the tip of a warm iron over the affected area. Lift the paper from the carpet after it absorbed the grease. Apply carpet shampoo with a moist sponge if any residual stains remain. Wipe away the carpet shampoo foam with a clean, dry towel.
Another tip for removing grease, oil or tar from your car's carpet is to pour cornstarch onto the spot. Rub in lightly and let sit for two to three hours; then vacuum.
Other recommendations for removing oil and grease from carpet include using a product called Capture (from Sears) or using WD-40. Don't forget to use a regular carpet cleaning product after using WD-40!
- To remove all kinds of stains, try Tuff Stuff (from Simonize). Just spray it on the stain, brush it and rub with a clean terry cloth. The stain will disappear and it smells great, too!
- To remove stains from your carpet, use a cup of warm water with 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap and a clean cloth. Dip cloth into water and soap mixture and lightly sponge stain. Even tough grease will disappear. If it's a stubborn stain, repeat the process.
- To deep clean your carpet, vacuum first. Then get a wire brush and gently drag it over the carpet to make it stand up. Vacuum again to get the dirt out. Then wet the carpet with a damp rag and allow to dry thoroughly.
- When you shampoo your car's carpet, try using a cleaner called Citrus Cleaner (from your local hardware store). When you mix it, use 50% water and 50% cleaner; for tough stains, you can use 75% cleaner and 25% water.
Hi All
In Aussie we have what is called "eucalyptus" oil....this stuff is great and natural....
Not only is it good for inhaling if you have a cold or runny nose......
But it is fantastic for getting adhesive, sticky stuff, gum .....everything possible with no damage...
Even bugs.....try searching in the USA and give it a go..
, although to be honest, for some reason the bugs weren't as bad this year as they were last year.
