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Desert_Captain's avatar
Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Jun 19, 2020

Got the bugs off...

We just returned from a 4,150+ mile 8 state, 19 day trip from Tucson to Yellowstone/Grand Teton NP's. Our 24' Nexus Phantom at 101" wide and with 7' of interior head room throughout the coach has one of the largest bug catchers {cabover} to be found anywhere... we love the room but removing the bugs and road debris after a serious trip can bes an equally serious PITA!

Like somebody famous once said "Mission accomplished!" :S



Now as to how...

I start with a bucket of standard car wash soapy water and a long handled soft bristle brush. Agressively spray the cabover and commence scrubbing with the brush working small sections at a time and then another very aggressive rinse or two. This by no means gets any more than about half of them so now it is time for my not so secret weapon... "Bug Slide"

Having left the cabover wet I use a step ladder to get me close enough to generously spray on the BS, let it soak for 60 seconds and then using a soft cloth {loose knit} scrub pad begin scrubbing the little buggers off. A circular motion without excessive pressure seems to work well.

Working in thirds I was able to get them all and leave a decent shine behind which greatly reduces future bug sticks, in about 45 minutes start to finish. You can get Bug Slide on Amazon, I buy a half a gallon every year and just refill the handy spray bottles. Was introduced to it at a bike show and had such good luck with it on the bikes I started using it on the coach.

Cleaning the rest of the coach and trailer were straightforward enough, more bucket and brush, rinse it off and a wipe down with a microfiber towel and after 2 hours{including the dreaded cabover} I am ready to take it out and get it dirty all over again.

:B
  • No citrus additives that I am aware of. The best thing about Bug Slide is the more you use it the better it works leaving a nice slick shine behind that makes removing the next wave of buggers that much easier.

    For the record our coach is a 2012 and if it looks like that after 63,000+ miles and 8 years keep in mind we live in southern Arizona {not the RV friendliest area for fiberglass finishes}. I'll keep doing it myself as long as I am able {I'll be 69 this fall} but must confess to hiring n independent local to detail the whole rig last April. He used Meguiar's products and that probably contributed to the decent results I was just able to manage.

    :C
  • Has it got citron/lemon based chemicals or products in it? I have a caveat about not using that type of cleaner on my Sprinter's headlight covers, as it will dull and fade them eventually to opaque.
    BTW, your rig looks showroom. Nice job.