anyone know what commercial car washes use for bugs?

[troll3193]

I go to commercial car washes pretty frequently, but also wash it myself sometimes.



When I go to the car wash they spray this magical fluid on the front of the truck that makes the bugs melt away. . You can imagine the car washes are not keen on sharing what product they use. .



Anyone know what they use and where to get it???



TIA,



Bryan

 

[sevans16]

Probably some sort of caustic. If you knew what it was you probably would not want it on your truck. LOL At a place I used to work at we had a ZEP product that came as a red powder. It had a four digit name. I forgot what it was. It was awesome. Took off bugs, fuel stains, dirt, greaze, even the haze off the under carriage, etc... It came in 55 gal drums. I wish I knew some where to get it now. 1/2 cup of it would make 5+ gallons.

 

[Grizzly]

Someone about 9 months ago, maybe a year, posted about using used fabric softener sheets to remove bugs. I haven't tried it yet, but they said it worked great

 

[JCyrbok]

I use a Bug and Tar remover that I got at the local auto supply place (either murrays or autozone) cant remember the maker, but turtle wax is sticking in my head. It works good on most really tough things to remove like bugs, road tar and zeibart rustproof overspray. Seems to do a good job and does not harm the paint. It comes in a spray bottle for easy application.



Hope this helps



J-

 

[JThiessen]

Bug and Tar remover is nothing more than Denatured Alcohol. I buy that at about 1/3 the price for removing the bugs and tar spots.

 

[jnelson]

sevans16 hit the nail on the head. car wash pre-soak is an acid based product. friend of mine gave me about 10 gallons still in the barrel. The local car wah guys buy it from a company called WET. The barrel clearly stated "PRODUCT MUST BE DILLUTED".

 

[troll3193]

sevans16 hit the nail on the head. car wash pre-soak is an acid based product. friend of mine gave me about 10 gallons still in the barrel. The local car wah guys buy it from a company called WET. The barrel clearly stated "PRODUCT MUST BE DILLUTED".

Thanks a bunch for the clue. In response tot he others, I have used dryer sheets and they work well, but what they use at car washes just seems to melt them away with little elbow grease.



I use off the shelf bug/tar removers, but they also seem to break down and ruin the soap in the bucket...



Bryan

 

[SMolteberg]

You can also use a clay bar to clean up anything that sticks to the paint. check out Detailing Clay Bars and Clay Bar Lubricants

This is one of the "secret" stuff that detailers use.

 

[Regcabguy]

Microfiber wash mitt.

I've used microrfiber wash mitts for years now to remove virtually anything. I haven't used soap products etc. in ages. I got the last one at Costco. Harbor Freight carries one for under five bucks.

 

[Oil Burner1]

I used to manage a couple carwash locations in my college years. We used a Blue Coral product. It was potassium hydroxide. Handy for removing bugs, dirt, road salts, wax, clearcoat, and pesky paint! Use a microfiber something and mild carwash soap.

 

[RDHamill]

I have been using Gliptone for a couple years now. Has no effect on paint or plastic parts, does not even seem to strip wax. I use it diluted about 50/50.

I have no idea where you can get it, I've been buying it from a friend that wholesales it, but he dropped the line as he found the company hard to get along with.

I bought enough from him to last me a lifetime !!!

Gliptone Professional Car Care: Cleaners and Solvents



good luck

 

[CDonaldson]

I have a friend who does detailing, Gliptone products are all that she uses, she swears by them. She's been in business a long time, used everyting out there possible.



We have had tons and tons of bugs already this year, the Gliptone stuff takes them right off without a lot of effort on your part.



CD

 

[DennyDay]

Sevans16 said it best - - -"You probably don't want to know!" Most of the car wash pre-washes use a diluted hydrofuoric acid based solution. If you don't rinse immediatly, it will do a number on the paint and glass. Don't know if they still use this but it does work. If the EPA hasn't outlawed it they probably will - - - Y'all know how they are when something works.



Denny

 

[PGAdams]

Bug Removal

A buddy of mine showed me how well "baby wipes" work. Removes bugs, haven't tried them to remove road tar.

 

[BTowler]

I used to do detailing, we always used the kitchen sponges with the yellow honeycomb cover for cleaning non-stick cookware. Works great and never scratched anything, even chromed plastic.

 

[Matt400]

Anyone know what they use and where to get it???

Don't know what they use but my wife washes cars daily by hand and for bug splattered front ends she wets them down and sprays it with Splatt Bug remover #SBR33 Click on this link Bar's Products Line

and scroll about 2/3rds down.

If there was anything better I am sure she would change but nothing so far.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

The best soap that I have found that seems to be safe is TCI 710 HD Concentrated "BRUSHLESS" soap.



https://store.tmbcompanies.com/product-details.aspx?itemid=447



SHG

 

[troll3193]

Thought I would follow-up on what I found.



Through the magic of google, came up with this stuff.



Auto Detailing Supply, Equipment, Car Detailing Products



It really does the trick. I mixed it 50:50 with water in a spray bottle and followed the directions... The bugs just melt off...



Great stuff.



Bryan