cleaning bugs

[Tamnative]

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.

[thackpack]

I have to say I am all about the bounce / Dryer sheets too. I know they work, but I have not compared to other products since the price is right.

[skipbee]

Dryer sheets are the bomb! A coat of wax will not hurt, we've been using a wash/wax product that makes one job of two.

[wnjj]

Dennis12 wrote:
Skilled drivers never hit a bug while driving. Hope i never pass any of you on the road.

But what about all those who take their time since they're retired? They may have bugs stuck on the back.

[Bob__B]

I have always used 409 .... spray it on and wait a minute or so and the bugs wash off pretty easy.
After a recent long trip the truck and camper were a real mess because I did a lot of night driving. I tried this enzyme based cleaner I found on Amazon and it is amazing .... bugs just wash right off. I bought the gallon size and I think it will last for years because you dilute it to use it.
LINK

[996Pilot]

I have one of those spray washers that you can fill the little container with liquid soap and it mixes with water. I fill it with Dawn Dishwashing liquid and spray the surface well with Dawn/Water. Let it sit for a while to soften things up and then spray again. Bugs come off easily. Course I have good coat of silicone based wax on all surfaces to begin with.

[jimh406]

Dennis12 wrote:
Skilled drivers never hit a bug while driving. Hope i never pass any of you on the road.

Yeah, but it is reckless to pass anyone if you are driving a RV, right. 😄

[Dennis12]

Skilled drivers never hit a bug while driving. Hope i never pass any of you on the road.

[moebedick]

X2 on the Magic Eraser. Did 9195 miles cross country in June and baked a solid crust of bug yuck on all vertical surfaces. Unlike the last few times we've crossed, we encountered no flooding rains but we did get to enjoy excruciatingly high temperatures (+115*). The eraser,used very damp on a presoaked surface,made short work of the problem. I also use them to do a quick clean on my Boston Whaler before waxing.

[SideHillSoup]

Home Skillet wrote:
I use a wet Bounce dryer sheet. Bugs wipe right off.

Same here
And I also use Nu-Finish wax on the nose cone a couple times a year (4) and wax the whole rig at last two times a year
And last but not least I also use Turtle Wax Bug - Tar remover. We get hit with millions and millions of Shad Flys ( river moths) around here at night in the summer when we get near the Columbia River in our area. When you get hit with them shad flys you sometimes have to use your windshield whispers and windshield washer solution to clean the glass just so you can see driving down the highway.
As well as the seasonal onslaught of every other type of bug when the snow leaves the ground.
I think it's better to have a few different tricks in your bag.

Soup.

[jimh406]

More ideas are in this recently posted article. http://www.truckcamperadventure.com/2017/08/bug-cleaning-tips-and-tricks-for-truck-camper-rigs/

[billyray50]

Magic erasers with any good RV wash works the best for me for the last 7 years.

[rrupert]

I use Bugs N All, Link
Amazon also sells it.

[sbryan]

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.

[jimh406]

I think the best thing that helps is a waxed surface to start.