Those bug and tar removers for use on cars... do they really work?

[Spoooon]

Do those bug and tar removers really work or am I better off saving my money and just scrubbing away? Any particular brand or are they all the same?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Spoooon
Do those bug and tar removers really work or am I better off saving my money and just scrubbing away? Any particular brand or are they all the same?

what kind? Clay bars work best, but make sure to wet/shampoo it first, otherwise you will scratch the paint.

here is the answer to every car wash question

 

[amnesiac]

They're better than scrubbing, that's for sure.
don't know of any brand in particular that works best.

 

[Rallispec]

combined with a lot of scrubbing... they work alright. i've had some success with them and my car.

the best thing i've ever used though... a pressure washer on my old car. That would remove all the bugs and tar without any problems at all. I'm a little hesitant to use it on my new car though, and risk messing up the new paint.

 

[Draco]

The Turtle-Wax Brand is pretty decent. I have a can of it, and it works with some elbow grease put into it

 

[MichaelD]

Yes, they do work. It takes a lot of elbow grease with a clean rag, but it works. Use a nice, soft rag, like a cotton Tshirt. Make sure that after you take all the crud off that you rinse the area well w/soapy water. It's not a good idea to leave that cleaning residue on there.

 

[StageLeft]

I spent about 90 minutes once with a toothbrush on the front of a white car. Damn that sucked but it did work. Soap and water and a toothbrush

 

[WA261]

i use to manage a carwash....the secret bug/tar remover was petro...you can just use straight gasoline...it worx great

 

[Spoooon]

Originally posted by: WA261
i use to manage a carwash....the secret bug/tar remover was petro...you can just use straight gasoline...it worx great

With gas prices the way they are these days... I don't think so.

 

[WA261]

dude...im talking like 1/2 a cup.....im not kidding you....you will freak...i have 3 autos.....saab..infiniti...gmc.....any time i get sh*t on them i use some lawnmower gas =)

 

[Rallispec]

Originally posted by: WA261
dude...im talking like 1/2 a cup.....im not kidding you....you will freak...i have 3 autos.....saab..infiniti...gmc.....any time i get sh*t on them i use some lawnmower gas =)

that doesn't ruin the finish or eat up the clear coat on the car?

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Rallispec

Originally posted by: WA261
dude...im talking like 1/2 a cup.....im not kidding you....you will freak...i have 3 autos.....saab..infiniti...gmc.....any time i get sh*t on them i use some lawnmower gas =)

that doesn't ruin the finish or eat up the clear coat on the car?

Yes!!

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: Rallispec

Originally posted by: WA261 dude...im talking like 1/2 a cup.....im not kidding you....you will freak...i have 3 autos.....saab..infiniti...gmc.....any time i get sh*t on them i use some lawnmower gas =)

that doesn't ruin the finish or eat up the clear coat on the car?

No kiddin... I know that if I don't immediately wipe-up the spilled gas after I fill my tank up, it will stain the finish a pale yellow for a few weeks.

 

[WA261]

no it does not...the clear coats on cars is resistant....think about when you fill your car up...i often get gas on my car and it sits there for a week....it just washes right off....



edit: you must have an old auto if gas harms the paint.....

im not messin with you guys...i do it all of the time....try it like on a little speck of your car.....you will thank me

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: WA261
no it does not...the clear coats on cars is resistant....think about when you fill your car up...i often get gas on my car and it sits there for a week....it just washes right off....

Yeah I suppose that's true but you better be sure the outer coat is totally intact!

 

[Carbo]

They work fine, but you should really try muriatic acid.

 

[WA261]

and im not talking "wash" your car in gas...just get a little on a rag..clean the area..then wash it off =)

 

[Spoooon]

Originally posted by: WA261
and im not talking "wash" your car in gas...just get a little on a rag..clean the area..then wash it off =)

Okay, so you're saying don't reenact the gas fight scene from Zoolander?

 

[yakko]

Originally posted by: WA261
i use to manage a carwash....the secret bug/tar remover was petro...you can just use straight gasoline...it worx great

Lemon juice squeezed right out ot the lemon will work too.

 

[bUnMaNGo]

bug remover works... just remember to rewax the spots where you used it because it strips the paint of the wax that was there. I can also vouch for clay... I've worked wonders on paint that had been oxidized to hell and back... turns paint as smooth as glass. Works really well. Both take a fair amount of elbow grease. When I clay and 3 step my car, I start at around 10am and finish around 5pm. Lots of work.