Love Bugs

[scrapple]

I'm pretty sure I had my first sighting today. I thought the Love Bugs weren't due to arrive for another few weeks. I don't think it's very considerate of them to come early.
I'm concerned about the damage to the auto, because it is getting a lot of road time. What to do?
I've heard there is some spray concoction for sale at the Marion market? Has anyone tried it? Is it designed to prevent sticking or clean them off after?

[pooh]

They're around, that's for sure. I've just seen the third pair this season. It's been a warm winter and I think that's brought love to the lovebugs, early.

I'm also awaiting the responses to your question, Scrapple.

[thistrucksforyou]

I'm pretty sure I had my first sighting today. I thought the Love Bugs weren't due to arrive for another few weeks. I don't think it's very considerate of them to come early.
I'm concerned about the damage to the auto, because it is getting a lot of road time. What to do?
I've heard there is some spray concoction for sale at the Marion market? Has anyone tried it? Is it designed to prevent sticking or clean them off after?
I don,t know about the markets but I can tell you that most motorcyle outlets have a product that sprays or brushes on bikes to protect the pait and when you don,t need it anymore it just peals off....Great Stuff

[handyman]

I don,t know about the markets but I can tell you that most motorcyle outlets have a product that sprays or brushes on bikes to protect the pait and when you don,t need it anymore it just peals off....Great Stuff

I'll look for it thanks for info

[Pturner]

Anybody know what it is called? Would it take more than one can for a car? We'll be down in a few weeks and I'd like to get some and spray it on in advance. Thanks.

[KathieI]

Yep, they are here already. Have been seeing them the past couple of weeks as singles but have seen quite a few doubles today. Wow, I think we're gonna have a bad season for them.

Friend of mine uses Pam on the front grill to protect the coating and then after the season, the bugs wash off very easily. I think if you research this forum, you'll find many suggestions on what to use.

Good luck!!

[Skybo]

I did a google search for “protecting cars from love bugs” and many sites came up for products. Here are three of them. The last one sounds like what Handyman posted about.

Protect your car during love bug season - Tampa Bay Times (http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/autos/protect-your-car-during-love-bug-season/1094506)

Protect your car from love bugs with the Diamondite Ultimate Love Bug Defense Kit! Protect glass car windshields, auto glass, and car windows. (http://www.autogeek.net/bug-protection.html)

Purchase THE LOVE BUG SOLUTION™ | Protects Vehicle Paint from Love Bug Damage (http://www.thelovebugsolution.com/purchase-the-love-bug-solution.htm)

[VillageSitter]

My husband coats the nose of our cars with spray wax and wipes it off every three or four days, depending on how many love bugs are on the car. When you wipe it off, off comes the bugs as well. Re-apply and continue this process for the entire love bug season. You can buy spray wax at any auto store, Wal-mart, etc... Has always worked well for us.:thumbup:

[TV-4-2]

1. Having never driven through these bugs, we would like to know if running the car through a car wash gets them off, IF done immediately when done driving?
2. Does either a "brushless" or a "brush-type" car wash work?
Thanks for any help with this, since I think they will be "bugging" us. :cry:

[rodie]

1. Having never driven through these bugs, we would like to know if running the car through a car wash gets them off, IF done immediately when done driving?
2. Does either a "brushless" or a "brush-type" car wash work?
Thanks for any help with this, since I think they will be "bugging" us. :cry:

Where is nearest car wash in TV?

[Sunshine Mary]

New to Lovebugs . How about Your golf cart paint does it hurt the paint ?????

[George Bieniaszek]

Someone told me that spraying PAM cooking spray on the front of your car before your car gets splattered with them helps to take them off easier.

Anyone hear the same???

[Skybo]

Someone told me that spraying PAM cooking spray on the front of your car before your car gets splattered with them helps to take them off easier.

Anyone hear the same???

I heard KathieI say she heard it in post #6 :D

[vj1213]

I use a fabric softener sheet, get it wet and the bugs wipe right off. (then just was off the film left from the sheet)

[Bill-n-Brillo]

All kinds of ways to try to deal with the love bugs. I've always just kept the vehicles waxed and try to wash them soon after "love bug attacks".

An additional concern is what a large enough volume of these bugs will do to your radiator. Get enough of them stuck in your radiator and it will affect the air flow and cooling capacity - to say nothing of the bugs potentially corroding the cooling fins and tubes.

Bill :)

[CarGuys]

I have tried Pam on a well used car up here. After a day in the Spring Sun it was baking into the wax and when I tried to wash it off, The traditional car wash did not remove it. Only good ole Hot water and wax stripping Dawn detergent did.

I would also be concerned about the Pam attracting not only the bug remains but dirt sand and grit from off the road. It would take HOT water and Dawn to remove all the GOO! Those that try to wipe it off will be scratching the finish on their vehicle!

I think the best prevention requires the most work. A good coat or two of Automotive sealer / wax on the vehicle.

And immediately at night when it is cool do a " Face Wash with Dawn and warm water. Then an Automotive " Detailing Mist of your choosing applied in preparation for the next days bug attacks. Soft cotten towels or micro fiber cloths to wipe with

This will have to be evening ritual unitl the critters are gone. Bill is 100% correct on the radiator and more important AC condensor. The hood will have to come up and fresh water hosed from inside the engine compartment toward the outside grill to rinse them off.

I am going to try the " Love Bug Solution" It appears to be the same product that Auto Body Shops use to spary the entire vehicle with as to protect from over spray.

Or leave the toys parked in the garage for a month.

[GaryW]

Love Bugs are a pain all around.. But if you keep your car clean and a coat of good wax on the front areas and mirrors where the bugs hit the most, that will help when you wash them off. You do not always have to use dawn on them. Remember you are stripping the wax off when doing that. Then you will need to rewax the area to protect again.
Once love Bug season starts, I keep a good coat of wax and I also apply a spray sealant on the front, then I also keep the car washed to get the bug guts off. Here is a link to the sealant. I usually apply it right after I wash the car and get the paint cleaned up good. Apply the sealant per directions and after it sets 30 min apply my wax.

Adam's Polishes - Adam's Quick Sealant (http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-701-adams-quick-sealant.aspx)

Note: really need to fol directions good. It also really helps to have the paint clayed prior to applying any type of sealant.

[JoeC1947]

Love Bugs are a pain all around.. But if you keep your car clean and a coat of good wax on the front areas and mirrors where the bugs hit the most, that will help when you wash them off. You do not always have to use dawn on them. Remember you are stripping the wax off when doing that. Then you will need to rewax the area to protect again.
Once love Bug season starts, I keep a good coat of wax and I also apply a spray sealant on the front, then I also keep the car washed to get the bug guts off. Here is a link to the sealant. I usually apply it right after I wash the car and get the paint cleaned up good. Apply the sealant per directions and after it sets 30 min apply my wax.

Adam's Polishes - Adam's Quick Sealant (http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-701-adams-quick-sealant.aspx)

Note: really need to fol directions good. It also really helps to have the paint clayed prior to applying any type of sealant.

This looks like the best solution to me. I ordered a kit today. Thanks GW!

[GaryW]

This looks like the best solution to me. I ordered a kit today. Thanks GW!

No problem. I hate Love Bugs as much as the next person. On thing I noticed, is that when I wash my truck which is silver, no bugs around. If I wash the white car and use the blower to blow off excess water, the love bugs come out the wood work like fire ants onto the car..

[JoeC1947]

No problem. I hate Love Bugs as much as the next person. On thing I noticed, is that when I wash my truck which is silver, no bugs around. If I wash the white car and use the blower to blow off excess water, the love bugs come out the wood work like fire ants onto the car..

It's the exhaust from the blower. Ever notice how the love bugs hang around the golf cart tunnels. it's the exhaust from the gas carts that attracts them...another reason to go electric! WATCH OUT!!!!!!

[jblum315]

Just like spiders are attracted to gas grills and gum up the works

[eremite06]

I'm going to try RejeX. It's an ultra-slick polymer, like liquid wax. You can use it on painted surfaces, glass, metal, gel coat and acrylics. I put it on the front cap of my fifth wheel. Will put it on the full front of my truck, including the windshield. You can buy it retail at True Value Hardware. $21.39 w/tax for 16 0z. It does keep the diesel exhaust stain off the rear quarter panel of my truck.

Saw it advertized in Trailer Life magazine.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

I'm going to try RejeX. ......

Here's a link to the product's company web site:

RejeX (http://www.rejex.com/rejex.html)

Bill :)

[thekeithfan]

I'm pretty sure I had my first sighting today. I thought the Love Bugs weren't due to arrive for another few weeks. I don't think it's very considerate of them to come early.
I'm concerned about the damage to the auto, because it is getting a lot of road time. What to do?
I've heard there is some spray concoction for sale at the Marion market? Has anyone tried it? Is it designed to prevent sticking or clean them off after?

Don't waste your time and money love bugs come off with Simple Green and a soft brush. Wet the front of the car down and spray the simple green on let soak a little. Cheap and easy....

[looneycat]

water and a little cheap dish soap applied with a bit of elbow grease works well as soon as one returns from a drive on the thruway. driving around the villages itself produces few stuck bugs if you drive the speed limit, golf carts are virtually unaffected,

[KathieI]

1. Having never driven through these bugs, we would like to know if running the car through a car wash gets them off, IF done immediately when done driving?
2. Does either a "brushless" or a "brush-type" car wash work?
Thanks for any help with this, since I think they will be "bugging" us. :cry:

A year or so ago, we had a very bad season of love bugs and I was driving down to Sarasota to see my dad. Literally, I had to go through a car wash on my way down and on my way back to get the bugs off my windshield. I could not see while I was driving. Yes, they came off right away but it was so bad, had to do it twice in one trip. Not pleasant. Seems that when you drive locally, its not as bad, but when your on the freeways is when you really get hit. These were car washes connected with the gas stations, not anything fancy, just necessary.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Many cleaners and dish soaps/dishwashing liquids will strip the wax/paint protection from your vehicle, even when they're used in diluted form. Always best to re-apply some type of paint protection after doing this type of cleaning.

JMHO :wave:

Bill :)

[Barefoot]

And immediately at night when it is cool do a " Face Wash with Dawn and warm water. This will have to be evening ritual unitl the critters are gone. Bill is 100% correct on the radiator and more important AC condensor. The hood will have to come up and fresh water hosed from inside the engine compartment toward the outside grill to rinse them off.

In reading the Water Restriction thread, it says that cars can only be washed once a week. :confused: I've never been in TV in Lovebug Season. Do cars have to be washed daily?

[rodie]

In southern Florida, like Fort Myers, the car washes offered a spray of car wax to help protect against love bugs. First question, are there car washes around TV and if so, do they offer such a car wax?

[GaryW]

People you are making this way more difficult than it needs to be.
If you keep you car clean with some wax on it the bugs will wash off,,

Do not let them sit on your car for weeks

If you can not wash the car, have someone else do it, or hit a car wash

If you use regular detergent like Dawn, it will strip alot of the wax off your car, if you have any on it. So reapply some wax to it and not just any spay glaze you find will work.

Here is a link to a scrubby that works wonders. It feels like it would scratch the living nightmare out of your car, but if you dip it in the bucket with car wash and wash the front of the car it eats the bugs off. It will not hurt your car or cart as long as you keep it soapy. I use it on every car I detail unless there has been a recent paint correction job done.

Safe Scrub Bug & Tar Pad can be used on glass, chrome, vinyl, fiberglass, paint and clearcoats—100% safe when used with soapy water. (http://www.autogeek.net/pinsafscrub.html)

IF you wash and wax the car and keep it cleaned during the bug season, no problems at all.

[CarGuys]

Love Bugs are a pain all around.. But if you keep your car clean and a coat of good wax on the front areas and mirrors where the bugs hit the most, that will help when you wash them off. You do not always have to use dawn on them. Remember you are stripping the wax off when doing that. Then you will need to rewax the area to protect again.
Once love Bug season starts, I keep a good coat of wax and I also apply a spray sealant on the front, then I also keep the car washed to get the bug guts off. Here is a link to the sealant. I usually apply it right after I wash the car and get the paint cleaned up good. Apply the sealant per directions and after it sets 30 min apply my wax.

Adam's Polishes - Adam's Quick Sealant (http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-701-adams-quick-sealant.aspx)

Note: really need to fol directions good. It also really helps to have the paint clayed prior to applying any type of sealant.

I am a detailing nut case! I NEVER recommend Dawn unless it is part of a process. Unfortunately when you get large amounts of dried caked on bugs embedded into a car finish. The detailing experts tell you to take it back to step one and that is where Dawn removes Everthing! I knew that. A Clay Bar would be the next step.

Three years ago Gary I had to abondon major Sprays Wax/ Sealant suppliers. I now use exclusively ZAINO products. After being diagnoised with intolerance to harsh chemicals from years of automotive abuse I found Zaino products on a cross country Harley trip. BearTooth Harley Davidson.

His products do not kill you in the process of applying them. I do not apply anything to my car that has petroleum additives. Zaino can be found on the web.

One thing is for sure. CarGuys can argue about polish, sealants etc till the cows come home .

I can 99% dry my vehicle with a garden hose! Can you do that? Neither could I till I started using Zaino. Zaino has also developed a new clear seal that is amazing.

[Taltarzac725]

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/just-fun-109/i-will-try-get-poem-song-about-love-bugs-going-50771/

[GaryW]

I have tried them all. I use strictly Adams Detailing Supplies. I use Flex and Porter Cable .. Adams is 100% USA. It is safe. If you ever get on You Tube check out the Junk Man Detailing Videos.. That is where I got Adams from. Used Zaino prior and Pinnacle and Wolfgang. The Pinnacle Souveran Wax is really good, matter of fact GREAT. But since I switched to Adams, so much better. You are right,, everyone thinks some products are better than others. Since I love machine polishing, could not find a easier and better products to use.

http://www.adamspolishes.com/default.aspx


Yes Dawn will strip it down for the most part. But if you strip it down, wax is a must. Nothing Like a baby butt smooth paint surface to polish down. A machine sealant,, 12 hours later a good wax and then a coat of Brillant Glaze. No better shine.

Back to the bugs.. clean and clean and then clean them again...

[daca55]

Everyone on this thread has talked about love bugs on cars. I am new to TV and I was wondering what else does one have to be concerned with every day life in TV during love bug season? Do they affect golf carts? Is there a time of day when they are out more than other times of day? Appreciate any info. :22yikes:

[handyman]

All kinds of ways to try to deal with the love bugs. I've always just kept the vehicles waxed and try to wash them soon after "love bug attacks".

An additional concern is what a large enough volume of these bugs will do to your radiator. Get enough of them stuck in your radiator and it will affect the air flow and cooling capacity - to say nothing of the bugs potentially corroding the cooling fins and tubes.

Bill :)

Good point