Lovebugs

Zigen5 · 05-11-2010, 11:55 AM

Alright, its Lovebug season here in the southeast (Florida). For many of you, this may not be a nuisance but it is a pain in the a$$ clean off your car. What are some ways you deal with this?

I've heard from Saran wrap to light coat of petrolum on your bumper to fabric sheets to get this suckers off... I know the general will say WAX and CLAY BAR.
Love Bugs usually occur in May and September.

If left untreated, the splatters will eat your clear coat.

Here are some pics...

zylont · 05-11-2010, 12:36 PM

Lovebugs....I hate them!

scruggyj · 05-11-2010, 03:04 PM

I use some stuff made by honda that I use to detail my motorcycle.

This stuff works great. You spray it on and let it sit for a sec and then wipe off. I think it works great and you can get it from a local motorcycle shop.

Here is a link to the product.

Pro Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish - Bernardi Honda Parts and Accessories

Here it is on ebay
Original HONDA SPRAY CLEANER & POLISH Motorcycle Wash : eBay Motors (item 300412036697 end time May-27-10 13:14:13 PDT)

You can use it on anything.

Division · 05-11-2010, 03:31 PM

I keep a microfiber cloth, a bottle of detailer, and a duster in the car. I'll pull the big bits off with a duster and do my best to get the guts off with the detailer. Its not perfect, but it's better than leaving the bugs on there until the next wash.

cptspeed · 05-11-2010, 03:52 PM

Its gonna be great driving to ZDAYZ with these little critters all over.

kenchan · 05-12-2010, 06:36 PM

yikes!

Wizard's Bug Release before each wash.

Prima Hydro after each wash.

it's a good idea to QD (Prima Slick) the bugs off as frequently as you can after your drive.

Division · 05-13-2010, 09:13 PM

Protective Film : New Car Paint Protection : Paint Protector : Automobile Paint Protection : BuyRoadWrap.com

Came from this thread: Blue painters tape on front?

Might be a decent temporary solution....

Zigen5 · 05-14-2010, 12:11 AM

Wouldn't Saran wrap work too?

Bagherra · 05-14-2010, 09:07 PM

One of the best things i've used is Coca-Cola. Pour just a little bit on them bugs, wait a couple fo second and they wipe right off. I later switched to using that generic cola that cost less about .80.
I think its something about the acidic content that helps remove those bastards...

good luck!

Xan · 05-14-2010, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bagherra

One of the best things i've used is Coca-Cola. Pour just a little bit on them bugs, wait a couple fo second and they wipe right off. I later switched to using that generic cola that cost less about .80.
I think its something about the acidic content that helps remove those bastards...

good luck!

It takes the rust of a nail... not sure how good this is for your soft Nissan clear coat...

cptspeed · 05-14-2010, 10:10 PM

It will totally dissolve a nail if left in a coke bottle for months. But my dad used to clean the crud off his windshield with coke and then rinse. The coke is better than the lovebug juice. Those bugs will eat your paint quick.

k20z3 · 05-14-2010, 10:31 PM

fabric softner works great the sheets

Boostcrazy · 05-16-2010, 07:53 PM

I've heard spraying Pam on ur bumper before hand works well. I haven't tried it myself though. I just frequently wash the front bumper just to touch up that section before the clearcoat gets eaten up, and put wax of course.

Zigen5 · 05-16-2010, 10:45 PM

Are you serious "Coke"??? Never tried that, never knew coke was that powerful...

TipsZ · 05-17-2010, 10:12 AM

I just wrapped the Z with blue painters tape just for this vary reason .. driving to and from Z Dayz is going to be killer. But I have to agree with you Zigen, these lil bastards suck! I hate doing it, but almost daily I use a detail spray to soak them for a bit and clean accordingly. Eventually, once the season has died down, I would clay bar those areas to get those little streaks of Love Bug guts off.

05-11-2010, 11:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
Zigen5 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL Posts: 260 Drives: '10 BC 370z Roadster Rep Power: 16	Lovebugs Alright, its Lovebug season here in the southeast (Florida). For many of you, this may not be a nuisance but it is a pain in the a$$ clean off your car. What are some ways you deal with this? I've heard from Saran wrap to light coat of petrolum on your bumper to fabric sheets to get this suckers off... I know the general will say WAX and CLAY BAR. Love Bugs usually occur in May and September. If left untreated, the splatters will eat your clear coat. Here are some pics...

05-11-2010, 12:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
zylont Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tampa Posts: 77 Drives: 09' PG 370Z Rep Power: 16	Lovebugs....I hate them! __________________ 2009 Platinum Graphite, 6MT base w/sports package, Stillen G3 Intake

05-14-2010, 10:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
cptspeed Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: tampa Posts: 799 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 17	It will totally dissolve a nail if left in a coke bottle for months. But my dad used to clean the crud off his windshield with coke and then rinse. The coke is better than the lovebug juice. Those bugs will eat your paint quick. Last edited by cptspeed; 05-14-2010 at 10:12 PM.

05-14-2010, 10:31 PM	#12 (permalink)
k20z3 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Denver CO Age: 33 Posts: 2,146 Drives: 2006 Civic SI HFP Rep Power: 405	fabric softner works great the sheets __________________ 2006 RALLYE RED HONDA CIVIC SI HFP Clint's Helpful Photoshop Hints!

05-17-2010, 10:12 AM	#15 (permalink)
TipsZ Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lithia, FL Age: 51 Posts: 552 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z CS M6 Rep Power: 186	I just wrapped the Z with blue painters tape just for this vary reason .. driving to and from Z Dayz is going to be killer. But I have to agree with you Zigen, these lil bastards suck! I hate doing it, but almost daily I use a detail spray to soak them for a bit and clean accordingly. Eventually, once the season has died down, I would clay bar those areas to get those little streaks of Love Bug guts off. __________________ Dynojet 285 HP/245 TQ (pre CBE)// Agency Power CBE // GTM Test Pipes // JWT Pop Chargers // B&M Short Shifter // Eibach Springs // Powder-coated Akebono's // Powder-coated Strut Bar // Black Chromed 19" Rays // // Redline Designs Graphics TipsZ journal

05-11-2010, 03:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
scruggyj Base Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Simpsonville Posts: 36 Drives: none Rep Power: 15	I use some stuff made by honda that I use to detail my motorcycle. This stuff works great. You spray it on and let it sit for a sec and then wipe off. I think it works great and you can get it from a local motorcycle shop. Here is a link to the product. Pro Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish - Bernardi Honda Parts and Accessories Here it is on ebay Original HONDA SPRAY CLEANER & POLISH Motorcycle Wash : eBay Motors (item 300412036697 end time May-27-10 13:14:13 PDT) You can use it on anything.

05-11-2010, 03:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
Division Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Central FL Posts: 199 Drives: 2009 370Z Sport Rep Power: 16	I keep a microfiber cloth, a bottle of detailer, and a duster in the car. I'll pull the big bits off with a duster and do my best to get the guts off with the detailer. Its not perfect, but it's better than leaving the bugs on there until the next wash.

05-11-2010, 03:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
cptspeed Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: tampa Posts: 799 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 17	Its gonna be great driving to ZDAYZ with these little critters all over.

05-12-2010, 06:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	yikes! Wizard's Bug Release before each wash. Prima Hydro after each wash. it's a good idea to QD (Prima Slick) the bugs off as frequently as you can after your drive.

05-13-2010, 09:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
Division Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Central FL Posts: 199 Drives: 2009 370Z Sport Rep Power: 16	Protective Film : New Car Paint Protection : Paint Protector : Automobile Paint Protection : BuyRoadWrap.com Came from this thread: Blue painters tape on front? Might be a decent temporary solution....

05-14-2010, 12:11 AM	#8 (permalink)
Zigen5 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL Posts: 260 Drives: '10 BC 370z Roadster Rep Power: 16	Wouldn't Saran wrap work too?

05-14-2010, 09:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
Bagherra Base Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Dark side of Moon Posts: 45 Drives: yes Rep Power: 15	One of the best things i've used is Coca-Cola. Pour just a little bit on them bugs, wait a couple fo second and they wipe right off. I later switched to using that generic cola that cost less about .80. I think its something about the acidic content that helps remove those bastards... good luck!

05-16-2010, 07:53 PM	#13 (permalink)
Boostcrazy Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sanford, FL Posts: 45 Drives: '13 PW 370Z Sports Rep Power: 16	I've heard spraying Pam on ur bumper before hand works well. I haven't tried it myself though. I just frequently wash the front bumper just to touch up that section before the clearcoat gets eaten up, and put wax of course.

05-16-2010, 10:45 PM	#14 (permalink)
Zigen5 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL Posts: 260 Drives: '10 BC 370z Roadster Rep Power: 16	Are you serious "Coke"??? Never tried that, never knew coke was that powerful...