Upon returning from a week-long trip west, where it was 100+ degrees, I set about cleaning the assorted baked on bugs from the front of my brand new CX-5. They came off the new paint quite easily and seemingly from the gloss black plastic top piece of the grille as well. But when I looked at the part closely in reflective light, I noticed that squashed bug residue was still visible in splotches along the surface. I have tried everything imaginable to remove the splotches, with the exception of abrasive agents such as plastic polish or baking soda. It appears to me that the bug debris has literally etched into the surface of the material, which is hard to believe because this happened one week. I know this can happen to clear coat if bugs are left on too long, but plastic?...in a week? The next logical step would be a plastic polish, which would probably work if the part is a solid piece of acrylic, much like a motorcycle windscreen. However, if it has a coating on it, and I fear that it does, it may be essentially un-repairable. One thing I have not yet tried is Mothers Back-to-Black, which may help the appearance, although it probably would only mask the splotches, rather than remove them. I can probably live with it as is, but since it is brand new, I would prefer to get it back to factory perfect as possible. Does anyone else have any experience with or opinion on this issue?
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Problem removing bug residue/etching from gloss black plastic at top of grille
- Thread starter WRR
- Start date
Well I had a similar issue not with bugs but that annoying sticker that the dealership stuck to the back of the CX-5. Now I peeled the letters off easily but it left this nasty sticky crap behind and nothing got it off. It looked disgusting, so I said let me give it some WD-40, I sprayed a tiny amount over the sticky crap and wiped it off with ease in seconds. I'm sure you can try the same and it will work just as easily.
Beleive it or not in Florida were we had tremendous problem with Love bugs , I was taught a simple solution for removing the bug residue,. You soak newspaper with cool water and soak bugged caked area and with running water onto site gently rub the wet newspaper on site, it worked for me several times on my WS6 red TA, it is apparantly the solvents in the ink that harmlessly remove the bug guts and doesn't hurt the painted surface.
Thanks, but I believe that I am beyond the point of just removing the bug residue because I have tried a number of things (including WD-40, but not newspaper ink) and the actual bug splatter is removed, in fact it came off fairly easily, i.e. the surface appears to be perfectly smooth. However, I think that the heat and splattered bugs have caused an etching of the surface of the plastic or plastic coating of the grille piece, you can see this in reflective light. So I guess I need to know what this piece is made of and whether it has a coating. If it is solid dark plastic, a plastic polish should work; If it is coated, an abrasive may ruin the finish.
I guess the moral of the story for new owners is to get those bugs off ASAP, especially this particular part of the grille.
I guess the moral of the story for new owners is to get those bugs off ASAP, especially this particular part of the grille.
In Oklahoma, we have a bug problem also. Use to use Joy or Dawn dish soap with lemon. It worked pretty well, but was told about dryer sheets. OMG!!! They work fantastic! You just wet them and start rubbing the bugs away. You can use them anywhere there are bugs. Hope this works for you as good as it does for me.
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This really works? Do you know if it would work on bug guts, say, 2 years old?In Oklahoma, we have a bug problem also. Use to use Joy or Dawn dish soap with lemon. It worked pretty well, but was told about dryer sheets. OMG!!! They work fantastic! You just wet them and start rubbing the bugs away. You can use them anywhere there are bugs. Hope this works for you as good as it does for me.
- :
- Mazdaspeed6
Funny thing, I noticed this too very soon after we bought ours. We bought ours on a rainy day, so I hand washed it myself only days after we brought it home, and attempted to remove some of the guts plastered onto the shiny upper grille bezel.
Sure, the bulk of the residue can be removed, but indeed, a spot remained after I removed the guts. Looks like something similar to a water spot. Is difficult to see if you aren't really looking.
Short on time, I haven't really attempted to see if I can get it spotless. Though, I agree a clay bar might work, and it will be my first method to attempt when I find the time.
Sure, the bulk of the residue can be removed, but indeed, a spot remained after I removed the guts. Looks like something similar to a water spot. Is difficult to see if you aren't really looking.
Short on time, I haven't really attempted to see if I can get it spotless. Though, I agree a clay bar might work, and it will be my first method to attempt when I find the time.
Funny thing, I noticed this too very soon after we bought ours. We bought ours on a rainy day, so I hand washed it myself only days after we brought it home, and attempted to remove some of the guts plastered onto the shiny upper grille bezel.
Sure, the bulk of the residue can be removed, but indeed, a spot remained after I removed the guts. Looks like something similar to a water spot. Is difficult to see if you aren't really looking.
Short on time, I haven't really attempted to see if I can get it spotless. Though, I agree a clay bar might work, and it will be my first method to attempt when I find the time.
Trust me, try the dryer sheets. You'll never use anything else. Paint friendly.
Use a moist, used Bounce (or equivalent) dryer sheet...You'll be amazed at how well this works to remove Bug residue..
I tried this today, and it REALLY DOES work!!
Brian
I use this product:
http://www.turtlewax.com/product-detail.aspx?prodid=83
I guess any similar product will work just as good.
But, I admit, not the happiest solution with this plastic thing around mazda logo (I wonder why not making it with holes)
Cheers,
Miki
http://www.turtlewax.com/product-detail.aspx?prodid=83
I guess any similar product will work just as good.
But, I admit, not the happiest solution with this plastic thing around mazda logo (I wonder why not making it with holes)
Cheers,
Miki
puddle.jumper
Member
- :
- mazda cx-5 touring 2013
does it have to be a used bounce dryer sheet? what about a new one, or would that introduce hairline scratches? i rarely use these since i hang dry most my laundry.
one of the first aftermarket things i did after purchase was to have ventureshield paint protection film cover that black piece. i had them throw that in when i had my full hood & other areas covered with the edges wrapped.
one of the first aftermarket things i did after purchase was to have ventureshield paint protection film cover that black piece. i had them throw that in when i had my full hood & other areas covered with the edges wrapped.
I'm using dryer sheets as well and work amazingly well. Love Bugs come off with ease. I love this tip.
Don't laugh, but another "preventative" method is to spray Pam (non stick cooking spray) on the front bumper and hood edge. Spray on a sponge first and apply.. it will not harm the paint. Bugs wipe off easily. I haven't used this in a while but when I did it was mainly during lovebug season. Use the plain type not butter flavored or the olive oil type (unless your car has high cholesterol).
Don't laugh, but another "preventative" method is to spray Pam (non stick cooking spray) on the front bumper and hood edge. Spray on a sponge first and apply.. it will not harm the paint. Bugs wipe off easily. I haven't used this in a while but when I did it was mainly during lovebug season. Use the plain type not butter flavored or the olive oil type (unless your car has high cholesterol).
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