Damn bugs!!

[HeavyMetal]

Hi everybody!

I've driven to Orlando many times in many seasons. It's 4 hours drive, and I've been to that either early in the morning or late at night. This time it happened during noon time. And this time, I don't know why, there was millions of bugs and flies.

Result: Bug disaster. All my windsield, all front bumper, every single hole on my car's front. I HATED IT. First of all you can't clean the windshield with your windshiled wipers during the drive. After 4 hours drive they become like cement. I HATED IT. Same on the bumper, as well. Pressure water doesn't help either. You need to scracth it with a cloth or by your fingers. I HATED IT.

After two way drives and two times cleaning (I don't wanna say how much I HATED it) they even left a stracth on my front bumber.

My questions are:

1-Are there any known damage that bugs do to engine?
2-Is it possible to those bugs get under the hood? (Which didn't happen this time)
3-What (and from where) can I buy to cover my front bumper?

I've seen many cars covered their front bumper with leather or plastic covers. But I was not able to find anything similar to my Grand Am on the internet. All I found is "Bug deflector" whoch is a plastic stripe to block the space by the hood.

My English is not good, so please help me with the correct terminology. What I'm looking for is a COVER to cover my FRONT BUMBER and maybe around of FRONT LIGHTS.

All answers are highly appreciated!

[Artic]

We have the locusts around here and they did do some damage on my old 97.They basicly baked into the paint after being left on during a normal work week.I clay bared it and got a nice coat of carnumba wax on it.Still was hard to keep up may want to look in to a bra for the front.But you have to keep it clean and under it dust free.The bugs should not be able to get in to do damage to the engine.And they get sucked up the air and are left in the airbox usually.Also to add in for the windshield a clay bar will get anything off glass I have seen.

[Bouchie11982]

oh man i know EXACTLY what u mean...going to CT for the meet and coming up to MA near the Berkshires near VT and omg...my car looked NASTY ...it was full of bug juice and the windshield wipers didnt help at all...but yea the bug delfector can help and it'll also help with the little rocks that come flying up...most the time.

[tenspeed]

I have a Cover Craft bra on my car. It has a white soft felt interior that is supposed to prevent damage to the paint.

I found this site after I got my bra. They make a colored type that matches your paint or contrasts if you like.

Colored car bra (http://www.carbras.com/color.htm)

[Gigante]

using bug and tar remover always works for me to get it off. i would never use my fingernail

[TA^Guy]

Originally posted by HeavyMetal
My questions are:

1-Are there any known damage that bugs do to engine?
2-Is it possible to those bugs get under the hood? (Which didn't happen this time)
3-What (and from where) can I buy to cover my front bumper?

All answers are highly appreciated!

1- Many times you'll see people in southern states that have a screen (like from a storm door) over their grill. This protects larger bugs from hitting your radiator and damaging the cooling fins.

2- They can get under the hood, but if they do its nothing to really worry about.

3- Yes you can purchase a front end cover also know as a Bra. LeBra is a popular brand. But beware, they can do just as much damage as they prevent. You are supposed to remove them when it rains or gets wet. Another problem is when dirt gets between teh paint and cover it can rub against the paint causing it to fade or even leave fine scratches.

Your best bet would be wax the front of yor car a few times and make the surface as smooth and slick as possible. I have also heard that WD-40 lubricatant when sprayed on a cloth and applied to the front of a waxed vehicle help the bugs come off easier when cleaned. I have never tried it for bugs, but I know if sprayed on the quarter panels at the drag strip it helps make it easier to clean the rubber off the paint.
Do not use any oil based product on the glass. Instead apply a few good coats of RainX, and also add some RainX bug remover to your windshield washer fluid.

Good luck. I know how you feel, I carry soem windexy wipes in my tank bag because when I'm on my motorcycle I get plastered in bugs. My jacket is stained from bug guts and all. YUCK.

[HeavyMetal]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate it!

[Dragonwings]

I live in Florida too.. love bug season is the worst...

I've heard that leaving bugs on the paint for an extended time will damage the finish.. not sure what extended time means though...

For the windshield, usually if I use my wipers and wiperfluid right when a bug goes to bug heaven it comes right off for me... I have those triple edge windshield wipers .. not sure if it makes a difference or not...

For the front bumper... I don't like the look of bras... so I just try and clean off the front bumper as soon as possible... It usually doesn't take much effort for me, and if it does, I use a claybar... I use Zaino as my paint protectant... not sure if that contributes to the ease of washing off bugs...

Good luck!

[HeavyMetal]

Hi guys!
I just ordered a Lebra car bra for 64.99 (including S&H). I'll share my experience as soon as I use it. I wonder what the hell are those $300-400 bra products for. Actually, as far as I understodd from you guys, this is a "season" for the bugs, and it won't happen again soon. But, as a frequent traveller, I've decided to invest a $65 to protect my car from possible damage from a meaningless creatures as bugs/flies.

Take care.

[3 DeeJay]

BRA! Mines a GM one..

[GA1999]

Best thing to do in my mind is to give the windshield a coat of Rain-x....and a coat of wax on the front of the car before a long trip. At least that way the bugs will be easier to get off when you wash it.