Bug and Tar Removers for Cars: Do You Need One?

Bugs splats are a common issue for many, and because they can be hard to remove, can leave some unsatisfying results when your customers decide to get their cars cleaned.

Dried bugs can not only be tough to remove but they can interfere with your other car wash chemicals, preventing them from effectively accessing the surface of the car, and thus, the quality of your car wash.

In this blog, we'll go through in detail what bug splats are, how you can remove them both in the car wash and at home, and even how you can help prevent them.

What are bug splats?

Bug splats are unattractive spots that you see on your windshield, windows and car body. This occurs when driving and insects or other small animals are caught flying or crawling in the path of a vehicle, and make impact.

As the name suggests, these splats are usually made up of squashed bugs and their guts. Not only are they unsightly, but if left untreated, bug splats can wear on a vehicle's clear coat, and become tough stains to remove.

Ultimately, they can be a nuisance, and a hard-to-avoid consequence of driving in many areas, particularly at certain times of year when insects abound.

What are bug splats caused by? Bug encounters at speed.

When a bug hits your front bumper, windshield and car windows while you're driving, the force of the impact can unfortunately cause the bug to splatter, leaving behind bug stains.

The remains of the bug guts can then dry and bake onto your windshield and become difficult to remove. It is for this reason that you should try to clean dead bugs off your vehicle frequently.

Can Bug Stains or Bug Guts Ruin your Car's Paint?

While not necessarily harming car paint, if bug stains are not cleaned up in a timely manner, the bug residue can eat away at your car's clear coat and in extreme cases, cause permanent damage to it.

So you will want to be sure to tackle this problem in a timely manner to avoid any vehicle surface damage.

Combatting Bug Splats in a Car Wash

Without a specialized product to get the job done, even professional car washes can have a challenge tackling pesky bug stains that can stubbornly resist removal.

That's why at Turtle Wax Pro, we have created powerful Bug Removers, such as this foaming option with a fresh lemon scent. It is very flexible for use in Friction, Touchless, Self-serve and Manual applications and produces a rich, dense foam that quickly penetrates and loosens stubborn bug residue from the vehicle surface.

Plus, it's an Eco-friendly and biodegradable option that you and your customers can feel good about.

Don't let your customers be bugged about insects splats on their rides; instead utilize a powerful Turtle Wax Pro Bug Remover at your car wash for exceptional results.  

How to remove bug splats from cars at home?

If you find yourself with a windshield covered in bug splats, don't despair.

While it is easiest thing to do is to take your vehicle to a professional car wash, which will have powerful products geared to cleaning bugs off your car quickly, you can remove bug splatter at home as well - but it may take some effort.    

With a little elbow grease and the right product, you can have your car looking clean in no time.

Use tools like the right type of cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth, and you're in great shape to start removing bugs from cars!

Remember, whether driving long distances or just locally, the sooner you remove dead bugs from your vehicle, the easier it will be to get your car clean.

Soap and Water

While not the strongest solution, common household items can work in a pinch to clean bug guts and your car.  Home remedies including dish soap paired with warm water or even hot water can have a great impact to remove dead bugs.

Apply soap and water with a soft cloth or microfiber towel and wipe the dead bugs away. If the weather has been hot, or these dead bugs have been on the car for a while, it may take some time and elbow grease to remove bugs from your car. You can also lay microfiber towels soaked in warm cleaning solution over stubborn stains for a few minutes before you wipe the bugs from your car, for easier removal.  

Bug Remover

While there are a number of ways to remove bug guts, and this one is more powerful than dish soap. We recommend using a product that is specially designed for the job, as it will make the job easier.

A product that is formulated to remove bugs will be gentle on your car's paint and will not cause any damage to it. For an at-home option, consider the retail product Turtle Wax's Bug and Tar Remover. It also works for Tree Sap, which we mention below.

We recommend following the manufacturer's instructions on using the bug remover to remove bugs effectively and safely.

Bug Sponge

A bug sponge can be an option for some as well, more notably, the at-home car washer to help remove dead bugs.

Bug sponges are sponges specifically designed to be used on car surfaces that have bug remains or bug splatter. Pair it with a soap or car wash product designed to clean bug splats.

How to use a Bug Sponge

• To use a bug sponge, you can either wet the surface you want to clean using a spray bottle filled with warm water and car wash soap, or dip the sponge in a bucket with the same cleaning solution.
• Then work the sponge on the desired areas. Sometimes stubborn stains may need to soak for a few minutes.
• You can then wipe off the surface to remove the remaining bugs from your car with a microfiber cloth or microfiber towel.

On a related note: How to clean tree sap off of your car?

Tree sap can be just as difficult to remove as bug stains.

If you find yourself with a car covered in tree sap, and you want to solve the product at home,  we recommend using a product that is specifically designed for the job.

A product that is formulated to remove tree sap will be gentle on your car's paint and will not cause any damage to it.

Sometimes tree sap removal products also act as bug removal products as well, which makes them a useful tool in your car wash cleaning products arsenal.

For the home washer, you will want to apply the cleaner and dry it off with a microfiber cloth or towel.

How to prevent bug splats?

Wash Frequently, and Apply Car Wax

The biggest thing you can do as a car owner to prevent bugs on your vehicle is to clean your car regularly.

When you wash your vehicle in a timely manner, bugs will be much easier to wipe away.

Cleaning the vehicle will not only be removing bug guts on the windows or surface, but will protect the clear coat on the car paint job, and provide a glossy and "slippery" finish that may help prevent bugs from your car.  

This is especially the case for cars applied with finishing products such as a car wax.

Car wax creates a smooth surface on your vehicle which helps deflect bugs and their guts upon impact.

Car wax, such as carnauba wax, also carries numerous other benefits for vehicles.

Bug Deflector

Another way to prevent bug guts is by the use of a bug deflector.

A bug deflector is placed on the leading edge of your vehicle, such as the hood, and acts as a shield from bugs hitting your car. Bugs will hit its surface, and be deflected away from the windshield, reducing bug stains.

They are especially useful for a long road trip, those who drive in an affected area with high insect populations, or during certain seasons where bugs are more prevalent.

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Are bug splats a challenge for your car wash business? Contact Turtle Wax Pro

Bug splats can be a real challenge for many car wash businesses as some areas are more susceptible to bugs than others.

And not dealing with them appropriately can affect the rest of your wash process too, leaving you and your customers with a subpar car wash result.

It is important to recognize if bugs are a common issue for your car wash market and work with your car wash supplier on implementing changes that will help you tackle it with success.

Turtle Wax Pro: Excellence in Car Care

With over 75 years of experience in the car care industry, Turtle Wax Pro has a wealth of knowledge cleaning cars through any problem you can imagine, and that includes bugs.

We have dedicated bug removers that will help support your business in bug season, but also help prevent bug stains going forward.

So get in touch with us today if achieving a better wash is what you want for your business!

Car washes exist all over the world in so many different environments, locations, with various clienteles, and of course, vehicles. But something all car wash businesses need is car wash chemicals. With the common goal of cleaning cars and so many different chemical options on the market, it's tough for newly starting out car washes to know what they need to operate and what can they add to their wash lineup.

As a car wash owner, you will want to ensure you have a strong understanding of car wash chemistry, chemical types, and their uses.

Car Wash Chemistry

Car washes are designed to clean customers' vehicles, specifically the exterior of vehicles. They use a variety of chemicals to not only clean cars but protect them and improve their appearance by providing a strong shine.

There are no one size fits all car wash chemicals, there are many different types of chemicals and they have different jobs. Some may even have unique advantages over another and some may have disadvantages. Chemicals will also differ in the method you intend to use them as touchless washes for instance will need different types of chemicals than soft-touch washes.

Touchless Car Washes

In touchless washes, the car is cleaned without any physical contact between the wash equipment and the car's surface. This type of wash uses high-pressure streams of water to remove dirt and grime instead of soft cloths or brushes.

Since friction aids the cleaning process greatly, chemicals in touchless car washes need to be prepared to do more heavy lifting and thus need to be different than other chemicals.

Let's take a look at all the different types of chemicals car washes use.

The Basics

The 'basics' are the chemicals that most car washes need to do their job of washing vehicles. Though these car wash chemicals can still differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, almost all car washes will use these chemicals to conduct their business.

Presoaks

Presoaks are the first step in any car wash and their job is to loosen up all the dirt, grime, and build-up on a car. This makes it much easier for your other chemicals to clean and do their job effectively. This is especially the case for the application of protectants such as waxes and sealants.

Tunnel car washes will typically have a presoak arch at the beginning of the wash but some do not use presoaks in their wash process. This is typically due to a lack of space with smaller tunnel washes but we highly recommend your car wash utilizes presoaks as it will make the rest of your wash that much better.

Presoaks come in a variety of pH ranges, mostly low pH and high pH but some products offer a middle ground to ensure the experience can be tailored for every situation.

Impact of pH in Presoaks

Higher pH presoaks will do a better job of tackling organic material, greasy and oily soils on vehicles, this is due to it being more alkaline.

Lower pH presoaks are more acidic and thus, better at removing non-organic dust and dirt off surfaces.

Which presoak your car wash will want to use will depend on various factors but your location is one of the most important.

Detergents (aka Shampoo or Car Wash Soap)

Detergents are the next step in the wash process. These products are best at removing dirt. Detergents can also vary in pH from high to low and car wash soap is also used to prepare cars for drying as they aid in water wicking.

The incorrect type of car wash soap can create a water-retentive surface, so it is important to choose the right kind of product for your wash scenario.

Tire/Wheel Cleaners

Tire cleaners come in acidic and alkaline types and as you might have guessed, is used to clean the wheels of a vehicle. Specifically, tire cleaners take off the dirt and grime from wheels, tires, brakes, etc.

Wheels often are the dirtiest part of the vehicle, so it is a must for car washes to tackle them with the utmost quality and speed, especially since not all rims will be OEMs and may be an aftermarket part. The last thing you want to happen as a car wash is to damage a customer's vehicle.

Triple Foam Products

Triple foams are neutral or acidic products that either further clean the car (condition) or apply a layer of wax (polish), and in many cases, car washes opt to use both.  

A triple foam of some variety is used by many car washes, but customers usually must upgrade to receive it on their vehicle. They are a popular choice of customers as they have a strong visual benefit of the tricolors, this is where the product gets its name from.

It even strengthens the rest of the washing process by not only cleaning it further but preparing the car for a protectant and helping the drying process in a later stage.

Paint Sealants, Ceramic Coatings, Waxes and other Protectants

Protectants come in many different forms and they all have their unique advantages and disadvantages.

Sealants bond with the vehicle's surface and protect it from weather and light marks, they may also offer some form of shine. Sealants are synthetic and try to bond in the pores of a car, this allows them to be exceptional at UV protection.

While wax will focus on providing a brilliant shine, with a weaker form of protection than sealants could provide. Waxes can be synthetic as well but are usually made of more natural ingredients, carnauba being a popular option.

Ceramic coatings are a thin layer of polymer that create a barrier between the vehicle and anything that comes into contact with it. Ceramics provide paint protection from the elements and UV rays, hydrophobicity, shine, and more.

Drying Agents

After all the cleaning has taken place, the vehicle will be given a drying agent which provides a hydrophobic nature to its surface. They are typically synthetic oil based and thus, are used to repel water off the vehicle in water beads. This helps the high powdered dryers to quickly wick the water off the vehicle, so it can leave dry.

Those are the more standard car wash chemicals you will see used in car washes. Next up we'll discuss the more niche or specialty chemicals that car washes will use.

Specialties  

Specialties are car wash chemicals that you may not see being used in every car wash. Only some washes will choose to offer this product as it may pertain to their location, climate, or business model. Some car washes will only carry a limited stock of it to fit a certain time of the year, such as bug season.

Bug Removers

These are often alkaline chemicals used to remove the remains of bugs on vehicles, also often called bug splats. In some areas and some times of the year, there may be a high prevalence of bug splats on vehicles and they can be difficult to remove them.

They work by essentially 'dissolving' the bug so that it can be easily removed by the wash process but it is not always a quick process. The chemical may need to sit on the vehicle for a minute or two for the effect to take place.

Glass Cleaners

Glass cleaners are used to clean the windows of a vehicle and leave it streak free. They help driver impairment by making water and other vision blocks wick off the surface quickly.

Undercarriage Rust Inhibitors

The car wash will spray a light coat of inhibitor on the undercarriage which will help to prevent rust from forming. It becomes a protective coat underneath the vehicle which provides protection against moisture from water and snow year-round.

Tire Dressings

Tire dressings provide a consistent shine and protection to the rubber. It also can help repel water and snow which will keep the tires from degrading as quickly. They come in a few different forms such as water based which are the thinnest and least lasting, solvent-based which has better shine, and silicone which is the thickest and carries the best shine.

Tire dressings can also make future cleaning easier.

Wheel Protectants

Wheel protectants also offer shine but are often used for their protection from scraps, dirt, and grime. Using wheel protectants also makes cleaning easier in future washes.

Interior Cleaners

While most car washes only focus on the exterior cleaning of vehicles, there are some that will also clean the interior of vehicles as well.

Interior cleaners or detailing products are different than exterior ones as the materials within a car are greatly different than the outside of a car.

If you're interested in reading about interior cleaning and their chemicals, you can read our previous article here.

Chemical Concerns? Contact Turtle Wax Pro

Turtle Wax has a 97% brand recognition for good reason, we manufacturer great chemistry and support our clients and customers so they can achieve success within the car wash industry. The right chemical supplier will ensure your business has all the supplies, training, and expertise it needs to compete within the market.

If you have any questions regarding the car wash chemical types, your own current chemistry, or looking for a place to start, get in contact with us! We would be happy to walk you through the different chemical options and see what is the best fit for you and your car wash business.

Car wash chemistry is what drives our industry. It's what gets cars cleaned, dry, and beautifully shiny. And it cannot be talked about enough!

But, it can get a little confusing with all the different types of car wash chemicals, so we're here to talk you through the different options and what you should be looking out for when picking chemistry.

What are car wash chemicals

Commercial car wash chemicals are specially formulated cleaners that are designed to remove dirt and stains from a car's surface. This chemistry usually comes in concentrated form, and must be diluted with water before use. There are many different types of car wash chemistry on the market, each designed for a specific purpose. For example, there are degreasers that are designed to break down and remove grease and oil stains, as well as wheel & tire cleaners that are formulated to remove brake dust and grime from your wheels and tires.

Different Types of Car Wash Chemicals

There are many different types of commercial car wash chemicals available on the market, each designed for a specific purpose. This is not an exhaustive list as car wash chemicals can get pretty niche. But these are some of the most popular car wash chemistry and their uses:

Presoaks

Also known as traffic film removers (TFRs), presoaks are designed to loosen and remove heavy build-up on your car's surface.

Presoaks are usually applied at the start of the wash to allow them time to work before the main wash. Presoaks as used as the "heavy lifters" in the wash process and are typically high alkaline (pH 11-14) or low acid (pH 0-3).

Presoaks can differ in pH level and surfactant type, so be sure to ask your car wash chemical supplier which one is best for your needs.

As a general thought, high pH presoaks are better at removing organic materials (like road film, bugs, and sap) while low pH presoaks are better at removing inorganic materials (like brake dust and road salt).

Car Wash Soap, Shampoo, and Detergents

Soap, shampoo or detergent is designed to remove light dirt and dust.

These products are applied to vehicles and then rinsed off to clean off vehicles and get them ready for the next stage.

Soaps can differ in many ways but a popular option for both its cleaning effectiveness and visual prowess are triple foams. Triple foams are designed to create thick suds that both look good and help remove dirt from surfaces, in a layered (or triple) effect.

The best car wash detergent on the market (in our opinion) is from Turtle Wax Pro. We have a variety of detergents that are designed to work in any situation your wash may need.

Finishing Products

After your car has been washed and rinsed, you'll want to apply a finishing product to provide a protective barrier against UV rays and other damage on your car's paint and clear coat.

There are many different types of protection products available, from simple waxes to more complex sealants. We have existing blogs explaining the differences between carnauba wax, ceramic coatings, and sealants.

Another type of finishing product is drying agents.

Drying agents help to remove water from your car's surface by making the surface hydrophobic. This helps cars dry faster and hold onto less water. If you want to learn more about drying agents, check out our guide to drying agents.

Wheel & Tire Cleaners

As the name suggests, tire and wheel cleaners are designed to clean your wheels and tires.

After wheel cleaners have been applied, it should be rinsed off to avoid damage to your car's paint job.

Tire Dressings

Tire dressings or tire shine products are designed to give your tires a shiny, new look.

Tire dressings and tire cleaners are not essential to the wash process but are an extra step to ensure spectacular results and make your commercial car wash stand out from the rest.

Specialty Chemistry

Specialty chemistry can be chemicals with various desired effects. These products are used for specific instances and are not necessarily needed for every wash. But using specialty chemicals is a great way to set your wash apart from the rest in the car wash industry.

Some examples are:

• Bug Removers
• Manual Cleaners
• Presoak Boosts
• Rust Inhibitors

Detailing Products

Detailing products are slightly different chemistry used by detailing professionals to achieve specific results on a car's surface, usually through manual applications.

However, some of these products (like glass cleaners and bug removers) can be used in the regular wash process as well.

Eco Friendly Chemical for Car Wash

There are many different types of commercial car wash chemicals on the market, each designed for a specific purpose. However, not all wash chemistry are created equal. Some of these cleaners can be quite harsh and damaging to your car's paint or even strip the finish off altogether!

One type of chemical that is becoming increasingly popular is eco-friendly or "green" cleaners.

Hyper Concentrates

Hyper concentrates are products that are designed to be diluted with water when they are in use.

The advantage of hyper concentrates is that they are very economical and can last a long time.

With hyper concentrates, you pay for the actual chemical not a drum mostly made up of water. This means you'll save money on your chemistry, and save money on shipping as you'll need less product.

But the advantages don't stop there, you'll be able to wash more cars with your chemistry, making you do more with less.

If you want to learn more about hyper concentrates, we have a video explaining the process in detail here.

Are car wash chemicals safe?

As with any cleaning product, it is important to read the label and follow the instructions carefully.

Car wash chemicals are safe to be used for their intended purpose, but perhaps not for other uses. They may be toxic, corrosive, or even flammable.

Follow the instructions and directions indicated by the manufacturer. It is also vital to keep safety data sheets, or SDSs, on hand in case of an accident.

Car Wash Chemistry Ingredients: What to Look Out For

The exact ingredients that make up commercial car wash chemicals differ for an infinite number of reasons.

But there are a few things you will want to prioritize and avoid.

We recommend looking for products that have ingredients that meet environmental regulations and all municipal, provincial/state and federal sewer-use by-laws.

Chemicals to Avoid

• Phosphates
• Ammonium Bifluoride (ABF)
• Hydrofluoric acid (HF)

What kind of chemistry do Touchless car washes use?

Touchless car washes use chemicals, just like any other wash, but they are typically formulated to work independently without the help of brushes or cloths.

Friction helps products do their job and deal with tough grease and marks, but without that aid, the chemicals themselves must be able to perform by themselves.

If you're running a touchless wash, contact your suppliers to ensure your chemistry is ready to work in a touchless environment.

Chemistry is important, car wash equipment matters too!

The quality of your wash will also depend on the quality of your equipment. Old equipment may not be able to effectively operate and use high quality chemistry. It may even break down more often, causing more downtime for your business.

Subpar machinery may struggle in its important tasks: removing dirt, applying even coats of chemical and having an accurate water pressure.

We'd recommend updating your existing wash equipment if it is getting old, and be sure to purchase the right kind of equipment to match the chemistry you plan to use.

Chemistry Concerns? Ask Us - Turtle Wax Pro

We have over 75 years of car care, chemistry knowledge, and decades of supporting car wash businesses of all types. Turtle Wax Pro and our parent company, Transchem Group have seen it all.

The chemistry your wash uses must be unique to your situation, your location, your car wash and your desired finished product. An experienced supplier like Turtle Wax Pro, will ensure exceptional results with cutting edge chemistry, while being cost effective, to keep your business washing for years to come.

We also have numerous other product lines such as our full Line of AutoLux products, for more conservative pricing options or private labeling, to truly make your wash unique.

If you have any questions about car wash chemistry in general, or any specific supplier or chemical inquires, contact us anytime. We love to chat about anything in the car wash industry, and that includes chemistry!

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