Keeping your vehicle free from flies and bugs is important to protect its appearance and surfaces. Bug remains not only look bad but can also cause damage. We often learn about the pH scale in school, which measures how acidic or alkaline liquids are. Lower pH values mean higher acidity, while higher values indicate greater alkalinity. For example, lemon juice has a pH level of 2, while an average degreaser has a pH of around 12. By averaging these two numbers (2 and 12), we get a neutral pH of 7.
When it comes to removing bugs from your vehicle, it's crucial to act quickly. Within the first day, bug splatter can be highly acidic and harm your car's clear coat. If your car is left in the sun, the heat can speed up the etching process, leading to permanent damage within a few hours. Fixing this damage can be challenging, and in severe cases, professionals may need to perform sanding and advanced paint correction.
As for bug removal products, we recommend using CitraClean, a citrus-based all-natural cleaning solution. It's formulated to safely and effectively remove bug splatter without damaging your car's exterior protection or delicate interior trim parts. To use it, shake the bottle well and measure 25ml of CitraClean into a standard trigger sprayer, then fill it with water. Apply the CitraClean to the bug splatter, let it sit for 30 seconds to 2 minutes, and then rinse. You can repeat the process if needed, and in extreme cases, you can gently agitate the surface with a soft microfibre cloth.
Additionally, it's a good idea to keep a bottle of Hybrid handy for adding a quick layer of protection and gloss to your clean vehicle.
Link to CitraClean:
https://anachem-automotive.com/collections/pre-wash-1/products/citraclean-ceramic-friendly-pre-cleaner