Long road trips can turn the hood of your car into an insect graveyard, and dead bugs don’t just look gross–they cause damage. The same enzymes that cause bug bodies to decompose can eat away at your car’s exterior. Since the decaying process is aggravated by heat, the summer sun isn’t doing your shiny paint job any favors.
When left to decay on your car, bugs and bird droppings can lead to permanent imprints in the finish, a nuisance known as etching. Unfortunately, these little buggers require more than the standard elbow grease to remove.
Dead bugs have you mad as a hornet? Here’s what you can do.
- Get Proactive. Regular bumper waxes may cut down on the number of bugs that stick to your car. Since your bumper gets more exposure to the elements than other areas on your vehicle, it is important to take extra care here. The wax provides an extra layer of protection.
- Catch them early. The longer you wait, the more likely the bugs will be to create lasting damage. As soon as you notice a dead insect on your hood, side mirror or grill, try removing it with a microfiber cloth and a spray wax or quick detailer.
- Get a Paint Scratch and Ding Touch-Up at Direct Paint. If the insects have already hardened, trying to scrub them off may scratch your paint and cause further damage. At Direct Paint, we specialize in making your car look brand new, no matter what lands on it.