joehpro

Is it possible that a bug impacting the front of your car at say 60 mph could actually damage the paint on your car?
I drive daily through a wooded area and get pelted with hundreds of bugs everyday. Have tried to clean them off with every tip on this and other forums. Nothing gets them off 100%. It almost looks as if the paint is damaged. You have to look closely in most cases but there is some kind of residue left.
Should have gone with X-Pel. I will not wear a bra.

Joepro

lexusk8

I'm assuming you have no luck with a bottle of bug & tar remover, so here's my next suggestion. Get a bottle of rubbing compound, preferably the 3M brand. You can find that in the auto section of Walmart for no more than $6. It has worked great on my car when I find hard-to-clean sap stains and bug guts. Plus, the compound removes very fine scratches so the section of the car feels almost silky. This is definitely a keeper in maintaining the cream-of-the-crop look on your car

apwoodr

Does claying work?

jeremyp111

using clay also works. Just did the hood on my 2000 RX300. Feels soooooo smooth now.....except for the few paint chips! GRRRRRRR!

Good luck,

JP

wmulli

I would definately go with a good paint cleaner first (I always carry some in my trunk for things like that. I've had good luck with Mequires Paint Cleaner or 3M Swirl Mark Remover #2), the claying second (I only do that in my driveway), and save the compounding for the REALLY serious spots as you're removing layers of clearcoat/paint when you compound.

95sc300t

To answer the other question, YES, it is a very good idea to use a paint protection film on your hood, whether you use x-pel, clearbra, etc, etc (Just as long as they use the 3m brand of paint protection film)

This is what I do for a living, along with window tinting, and the paint protection film is the best product I've seen to come out in like 10 years for automotive use. While some don't like that line that goes across the hood, where the film ends, I'd say its better than a bunch of paint chips, or bug-stains/etchings in the paint.

NeverSatisfied

A simple solution that has worked for me:

ALWAYS wax your front bumper, headlights & hood after every wash. It makes it easier to remove the bugs & blood, tar and what not. And try to remove them daily.

If you don't have that kind of time, another simple idea:

When washing the front and rocker panels, instead of buying bug/tar remover, simply use a terry cloth (washcloth) with your ordinary car soap & water; you'll be surprised at how little elbow grease is necessary, and it comes off clean!