Not only are bugs splattered on your car unsightly, but some also contain acidic substances that can damage the clear coat which protects your paint. After they dry, some bugs can be very difficult to remove without damaging your clear coat.

As well as bugs and tar, other elements that come into contact with your vehicle, such as bird droppings and sap, can also cause unsightly staining and discoloration if not removed soon and properly.

It’s important to take action as soon as you see any of these potential stains by removing it using the following steps.

• Simply attempting to scrape off bugs or tar spots can damage paint.
• Wash the surface of your car with Turtle Wax MAX Power Wash using the two bucket method to keep your soapy water clean and free of the surface dirt and grime you have removed.
• Specialist sponges are an ideal tool to use for the removal of bugs and tar deposits.

• If the bugs don’t come off after a thorough wash, it is usually a better idea to use a specialized bug remover for vehicles such as Turtle Wax Bug & Tar Remover that will help you wipe away bugs without the risk of causing damage to your paints clear coat.
• Spray the product liberally on any problem areas such as the hood or grill and leave the product to activate for one minute.
• The aim is to loosen and dissolve the contaminants on the surface of the car to avoid hard scrubbing and therefore paintwork damage.

• Rinse the product off the car and dry the area with a clean microfibre cloth.
• Repeat the process if there are still some remains or small stains, making sure to leave the product to soak for the recommended time.
• Waxing the surface of your car after bug removal, using Turtle Wax Carnauba Cleaner Wax Paste, will restore the shine in the paintwork and prevent stubborn bug stains in the future.

• It can be more difficult to remove bugs from the windshield. You can let the stain soak for a while before beginning to clean it. Do this by covering up the spot with a cloth soaked in Turtle Wax Bug & Tar Remover.
• Use a microfiber cloth on your windshield - they leave behind less lint than regular cloths.

• Using Turtle Wax MAX Power Wash, wash away all the debris you’ve lifted off the paintwork and gently scrub the surface with a microfiber towel.
• Finish the treatment with Turtle Wax Wax & Dry Spray Wax which is perfect for glass surface protection. This will improve visibility and repel anything from sticking to the surface.
• Apply the product with a microfiber towel in circular motions and then remove the excess with paper towels until the surface is clear and sparkling.

• Take a few minutes to closely inspect the exterior surfaces of your car and how far spread the tree sap is.
• Give your car a thorough clean with Turtle Wax MAX Power wash and the two bucket method with warm water. This will not remove the sap but assist in loosening the sticky texture prior to removal.

• Working in small sections on the surface of the car, take a clean and dry microfiber cloth, partially soak it in Turtle Wax Bug & Tar Remover and then hold it against the affected paintwork.
   
• After 30 seconds to a minute, start to gently rub the solution against the paintwork to loosen the tree sap residue.

• Once you’ve removed the tree sap from the car surface, ensure to treat the paintwork to prevent any other contaminants from causing damage in the future.
• Wax your car using Turtle Wax Carnauba Car Wax Liquid on the bodywork and Turtle Wax Wax & Dry Spray Wax on any glass that was affected.

To prevent contaminants, such as bugs, tar and tree sap from building up on your paintwork and causing damage, it’s important to maintain exterior care all year round.

Take particular care and inspect your paintwork after long road trips or driving in high temperatures as this is when you are most likely to get a bug build-up on your bumper. 

Take a look at some of our other How-To maintenance articles to keep your vehicle in perfect condition!