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ON both of my cars, a four year old and 15 year old both have some of the oddest bug and tar I have ever seen. As I have detailed many cars, none of them have ever had this. Sorry for the lack of pics, but it is dark. The mess is all over the front bumpers and looks like glue with tiny bubbles that popped. I have tried many bug and tars, scratch-x, and my fingernail.. Nothing gets rid of it. Do you guys know what it is and what I should use to get it off? thanks
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A Pontiac is a Chevy with better trim.
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Re: Bug and tar impossible to get off!
have you tried a clay bar? -
Re: Bug and tar impossible to get off!
yes i have. and I just tried apc. no luckA Pontiac is a Chevy with better trim.Comment
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Re: Bug and tar impossible to get off!
Hey,
We really need to see pictures since you stated that it looks "like glue with tiny bubbles that popped." That statement concerns me because I need to see if it is indeed bug remains or if it is CC failure...
If it is bugs, and you have tried the Bug and Tar Remover, then you can try one more trick, lay a wet towel over the bugs for a good half hour and then re-try the Bug and Tar Remover. If you are using the product correctly, they should be coming off. Rarely do I have to resort to something like WD-40 or another solvent to remove the tar etc. But if you do decide to use WD-40, test the WD-40 in a hidden spot first. You will need to re-wax the area afterwards.
TimComment
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Re: Bug and tar impossible to get off!
Sounds to me like it might be rock chips, rather than bugs and what not. Does it look like this?
If so, then those are rock chips. But some pics would be nice.
Shane
1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera SL
If you trim yourself to fit the world you'll whittle yourself away. - Aaron TippinComment
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Re: Bug and tar impossible to get off!
I have pics, but in this instance, they must be large so you can see what they look like. sorry for the inconvenience.A Pontiac is a Chevy with better trim.Comment
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Re: Bug and tar impossible to get off!
look at the bottom left
boytom left again
top middle and bottom right-it is hard to see, but there are the popped bubbles.
A Pontiac is a Chevy with better trim.Comment
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Re: Bug and tar impossible to get off!
Well, I don't think any bug and tar remover is going to get them off. Sadly, it looks like they've permanently etched the paint. My plastic mirrors are like that, and there's really nothing you can do short of a repaint or replacement. Sorry.Shane
1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera SL
If you trim yourself to fit the world you'll whittle yourself away. - Aaron TippinComment
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Re: Bug and tar impossible to get off!
well how did they get there and why only on my cars?A Pontiac is a Chevy with better trim.Comment
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Re: Bug and tar impossible to get off!
will wet sanding do the trick?A Pontiac is a Chevy with better trim.Comment
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Re: Bug and tar impossible to get off!
I'm not sure what you mean by "only on your cars". I have seen this on other cars before. It usually happens when bugs are not cleaned off right away, and the natural chemicals that break down the annoying little corpses etch the paint. Which is why you should clean off bug guts right away.Originally posted by paudashlake View Post
It might, but unless you know what you're doing I wouldn't attempt it. If you want it taken care of, find somebody who is a professional at wetsanding.Originally posted by paudashlake View PostShane
1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera SL
If you trim yourself to fit the world you'll whittle yourself away. - Aaron TippinComment
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Re: Bug and tar impossible to get off!
Well, it seems that you have quite a challenge up ahead. I had a similar problem, of course not as bad as yours, with my black mazda. I bought it pre-owned, and even though the paint looked good from the distance, up close you could see several "gummy like" things stick in the paint, dark colored, it was like tree sap or tar, I also tried so many things to remove them with no avail, I even inflicted some minor scratches because of rubbing too hard. But anyway, the only thing I tried that worked, was nail polish remover (I stole it from my wife
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BUT, you have to be extremely careful, use a small cotton ball, apply the product on the cotton ONLY, and rub very gently on the tar, and it will come off. I also clayed the car before doing this, it reduced somehow the thickness of the tar, but didn't remove it completely. Once you have removed the tar, clean thoroughly with plenty of water, and follow with some cleaner wax, then pure wax. This thing is very aggressive, and need to follow up with some protection.
Even after being able to remove that thing, it left some marks on the paint, visible only very up close and at some specific angles, but at least the gummy was gone!
Although yours look a lot more difficult, and seem more to be bugs than tree sap or tar, but you can give it a try, just be careful.
Good luck!Comment
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Re: Bug and tar impossible to get off!
I have bug etching all over the front end of my (wifes) black Focus. The car is only 5 years old but the etching on the front end was neglected a little to long and I do believe that the clear coat in this area is now failing because of it. Those pics look alot like what is going on in my bumper.
I'm sorry to say that it may need a repaint to fully get rid of the problem.For those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
736th GunTrucks "Bakersfield to Bagdad"
Wife say's I'm "obsessed"!Comment
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Re: Bug and tar impossible to get off!
so will the nailpolish damage the clearcoat?A Pontiac is a Chevy with better trim.Comment
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Re: Bug and tar impossible to get off!
It could, i would try prep all first if that doesnt work then repainting it would be your best bet. From the pictures it looks like it is etched into your paint.Comment
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