Persistent Bugs

sebrussellsmith · Jun 23, 2009

Despite repeated thorough cleaning and waxing of the car over the weekend, I can't seem to get rid of those squashed bugs all over the bonnet. They really dont want to go. Oh and the birdsh....t is still marking the paintwork. I dont know what they eat round here but it sure is potent!

Any idea what the best product is to remove these bugs and deal with the birds..t!!?

thanks,

iver rek · Jun 23, 2009

I've used Meguiars 'Quik Detailing System' with success, following by their 'Deep Crystal System' to protect. The former comes with a sort of lubricant to aid the process, the latter seems to stop stuff sticking as strongly. Bird lime needs to be washed off asap as it eats into the surface, particularly on cars with dark (soft) colours. In the sun its even worse.

Good luck!

sebrussellsmith · Jun 23, 2009

Hi Paul, is this the Quick Clay you are referring to?

Dave Wilkinson · Jun 23, 2009

Seb,

Meguiars also do a "Bug and Tar Remover" in a spray bottle which is remarkably effective. The problem with the birdsh... is if you let it dry and harden, even attempting to remove it with a detailing spray will cause scratches as the lumps are dragged across the paintwork with the cloth. The Bug and Tar Remover is very good at softening the stuff before it removes it.

The Quik Detailing Spray (as comes as part of the Quik Clay pack) is available seperately although they do have other similar products in the Nxt series which is probably better.

Paul's point about never letting the birdsh... dry is spot on. It needs to be removed within miniutes of it happening to avoid any long term damage. Short of sleeping next to the car I appreciate that it's not that practical, but I'm sure you get the message!!!

Regards

Dave

kitchens · Jun 23, 2009

Birds***t .............. just be glad that cow's can't fly [

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sebrussellsmith · Jun 24, 2009

ORIGINAL: paul hunt

I've used Meguiars 'Quik Detailing System' with success, following by their 'Deep Crystal System' to protect. The former comes with a sort of lubricant to aid the process, the latter seems to stop stuff sticking as strongly. Bird lime needs to be washed off asap as it eats into the surface, particularly on cars with dark (soft) colours. In the sun its even worse.

Good luck!

Thanks Paul - you were right the clay really does work very well. The problem is now, it is so dirty from one application. Do you know how long the clay lasts and when it should be changed, as, at this rate I am going to need quite a few bars!!
Presumably when you can't find a clean area after kneeding it??

pse_SC · Jun 24, 2009

Short of sleeping next to the car...

Just make sure you wear glasses and keep your mouth closed if you sleep on your back[:'(]

spyderman · Jun 24, 2009

Yes, definitely bin the clay after you've used it otherwise you will end up with swirls. I don't think the Meguiers pack is supposed to do more than three cleans, using a third of it for each then binning that piece.

sebrussellsmith · Jun 24, 2009

ORIGINAL: spyderman

Yes, definitely bin the clay after you've used it otherwise you will end up with swirls. I don't think the Meguiers pack is supposed to do more than three cleans, using a third of it for each then binning that piece.

thanks all

spyderman · Jun 24, 2009

From the horse's mouth:

After you've washed and dried your paintwork run your fingertips over the surface. It is likely that you will feel small imperfections. These are contaminants bonded to the paint that cannot be removed with washing alone. Typically these would be tree sap, remnants of bird lime, industrial fallout or even paint overspray. Clay is a fast and safe way to remove contaminants that have bonded to your paintwork which can't be shifted by washing alone. Meguiar's recommend that you tear about 1/3rd of the clay bar off and work it in your hands until soft. Mould the clay to a 5cm disc, spray the Quik Detailer onto clean, dry paintwork and glide the clay through the lubricant using finger tip pressure. It will remove all of the bonded contaminant, giving you a finish as smooth as glass.

Doesn't say (but should do) that you chuck it away when finished!

Dave Wilkinson · Jun 24, 2009

I tend to use a slightly different technique with the clay. I use the whole bar as supplied and once I've used one side only for a panel I flatten and spread the bar to something approaching twice it's orginal size, and then fold it in half so the used side becomes the middle of the folded bar. It now has a new virginal side to be used. You can keep doing this time and again - as long as you only use one side.

You will eventually get to a point where the material is so thin that the captured particles will work their way through - and then it's time to bin it - but I think it's much more economical to use it this way rather than break it into 3 and get limited use out of it. I find I can handle the bigger bar better as well rather than a small piece.

Regards

Dave

iver rek · Jun 25, 2009

Seb,
Sorry for my late reply, but I've torn off part of the clay supplied and folded it over too. It seems to last for several sessions or until I think its too dirty to do more harm than good. Overall it has been a good product for me, though it takes a while to work into a soft-enough state to use.