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Tamnative's avatar
Tamnative
Explorer
Aug 17, 2017

cleaning bugs

We just got back from a trip through bug land and I decided to try a different approach on removing them.
A guy I used to work with told me that truckers use a solution of baking soda and water,so I mixed up a batch and applied it with a paint brush as it is a little abrasive. I then let it dry over night.
How it was explained to me was the baking soda neutralizes the acids in the bug breaking whatever holds them on so well.
The next day when it was all dry I sprayed it all off really well before washing the truck as I didn't want to scratch the surfaces.I used it on metal and plastic chrome, and on the paint in a small area to test it and make sure it didn't damage the paint.
I have to say I believe it works but before I get all excited I thought maybe someone else would like to give it a try and see what you think.
The consistency of the mixture was about the same as house paint or a little thinner. I think the trick was to let it dry and do its thing before rinsing it off. Give it a try.

17 Replies

  • Magic erasers with any good RV wash works the best for me for the last 7 years.
  • A properly prepared surface ( wax or Rejex, which is what I use) helps with bug removal. Crown car and boat cleaner has been my go to on return from bug slaughter. Spray on a dry surface, let sit for a minute, then brush off with a soft brush. Bugs come right off. Crown also removed the black streaks better than any other product I have tried. Use it on the 5th wheel too.
  • I think the best thing that helps is a waxed surface to start.
  • No touch carwashes use a method of ph changes breaking the bond of soil to a vehicle. Large particles can be dislodged by impingement with high velocity water, but they could not remove road film that way because it did not have sufficient particle size to give the water something to push against. Ph shifting from acidic to alkalia broke the bond to allow the water to remove the soil. Your baking soda is doing some of the same thing.
  • What I use on my motorcycle windshield (and everything else) is Hydrogen Peroxide (drug store variety) mixed with water 50-50 in a spray bottle. Spray the surface wetting it, let it stand about a half hour and hose them off. H2O2 dissolves the bug's exoskeleton, rendering them a gooey mess than can be flushed away.

    Been doing that for years.