Bug removal on a long drive?

[sonus]

I'm going to pick up my 128i at the Performance Center in South Carolina next Friday and driving it home over the weekend

I'm wondering if it's worth it to bring along some chemicals and a MF or two, and try to get the bugs off occasionally during the long (16+ hours) drive home. I'm thinking that if any of the bugs are especially nasty and might etch the paint, it could be worth getting them off ASAP.

Any recommendations on products? My timespan is short (I fly out Thursday), so it should be something I can receive quickly or pick up locally. Not a lot of time for ground shipping at this point

[Lester]

I would apply a protectant on the front surfaces before I leave.

[sonus]

AFAIK they give it a detail and wax it before delivery. I think I read that they use Meguiars products, but I don't know which ones.

[Uptempo80]

Get a bug/tar remover of anytype @ your local auto maintenance store. Do it before you get down there.
I was on a vacation in Cape May last year with my brand new 128i convertible and I stoped into a local autozone and and picked up Turtle Wax bug & tar remover. My car was freshly detailed with a full Zymol-everything treatment, and I had no problems using a over the counter bug cleaner on my new paint. The bug cleaner worked fine and left a smooth just waxed appearance. I use it regularly now. Good product.
- Just use it often on your trip as hot temps play a role in accelerating the harm to your paintwork. I'd use it @ every gas station/lunch stop you make to clean the front end paintwork with the bug/tar remover & your favorite quick finish detailer spray. Use both these products frequently.

Congrats on the new ride!!

[Dackelone]

Over here I use a special plastic sponge designed not to scratch the paint along with SONAX bug remover spray. The spray loosens the bugs... then I use the sponge with a bucketfull of car wash soap to remove the bugs.

[zkeeper]

Uptempo has the right idea above. Yes, make sure the front is well protected.
When you pick up the car, while at the hotel down there, go out and put another layer of a good wax all across the front. Then head to the local Autozone, pick up a Scotts shop paper towel roll, the blue kind. A better and softer grade of paper towel to use on the road. MF's would be fine, but what will you do with the bug goo imbedded in decent MF's while on the road?

Then get a small spray bottle for some water. Or a quick detailer product. Tuck it all in the boot, and when you get gas, get a meal, or stop for motel in PM, take a moment each time to spritz the front and mirrors [don't forget them]. The little bug'gers come right off with the Scotts paper. THEN use a MFiber to put a sacrifice wax barrier back on. Whole process: 5 minutes tops. You arrive with no bugs baked in, the car has no etchings, and a LOT less work when you get home. Just don't let them bake on. I am simply amazed at the people I see at motels, with bugs encrusted, baked on...and in some fine rides. WHY does anyone pay 30-50K for a decent car, and then let it be treated in such a way. It takes so little time. They would not do it with their grand piano, or a 30K watch. END of rant LOL ...just do it at each stop, and toss the paper towel in the nearest rubbish bin. Done...and your car is a happy baby.

[Dackelone]

^^Wouldn't those blue paper towels scratch the paint or clear coat? (sorry for the noob detail Q.) I would rather use a MF towel, old bug guts and all on my paint.

[zkeeper]

Great question...should have addressed it. I do not rub "hard" with that blue paper towel, or buff the detailer with it. I also have several layers of sacrifice barrier wax, spray on wax applied especially before a trip, sooo no, I do not get scratches. I keep a pretty careful eye out for it. When the bugs are wetted down a lot, taken off immediately, the Scotts blue is only to lift those rascals off, and take them as far away as possible. Great question, and no I do not use those blues for any other detailing unless perhaps under the bonnet at times.

[vanbmw]

I keep a microfibre towel and some quick detailer in my trunk. It fits nicely in the eleastic loop on the side of the trunk. If my car gets bird shit on it...I give it a quick wipe. Same for a big bug. Just give the front several squirts (to lubricate) and it should wipe off fairly easy.

[jmcphillips1]

Originally Posted by vanbmw

I keep a microfibre towel and some quick detailer in my trunk. It fits nicely in the eleastic loop on the side of the trunk. If my car gets bird shit on it...I give it a quick wipe. Same for a big bug. Just give the front several squirts (to lubricate) and it should wipe off fairly easy.

This!!


And Don't dare use paper towels. Dear lord.

[slim_e90]

I've used blue painters tape on long trips before. Worked well for stone chips and bugs... And no residue when you take it off

[sonus]

I'm a little worried about the blue shop towels, but I like the idea of putting on another coat of wax immediately after wiping the bugs off. I'll have to do some pre-trip research and see where there are places down there to purchase detailing supplies. If I can avoid bringing bottles full of liquid, I don't have to check a bag

[Kcc]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Over here I use a special plastic sponge designed not to scratch the paint along with SONAX bug remover spray. The spray loosens the bugs... then I use the sponge with a bucketfull of car wash soap to remove the bugs.

Quoted would be a much better idea than using the blue paper towel, those paper towel micro scratch your clear coat even if you give zero pressure.

Paper towel don't have any dirt trapping ability, but a soft sponge does. With some soap cleaner or quick detailer with the sponge.

Kcc

[sonus]

Figured I'd update with what I actually did...

Since I was short on time, I just brought down a couple MFs with me and planned to buy bug remover while I was down there. Handy enough, the BMW Performance Center just so happened to sell BMW's line of detailing products, including the bug remover. So I grabbed a bottle of that ($8? $10? too much, but it was convenient) and used it a few times on the way up. Also ran into some torrential rain at 60-70mph, and there weren't many bugs on the front after that

Haven't had time to give it a proper wash yet But I'll probably be able to do it tomorrow.

[PA135i]

Griots speed shine w/the soft cloth they provide. I carry this in my trunk, but the small 8 oz. bottle.

[blschaefer1]

Originally Posted by vanbmw

I keep a microfibre towel and some quick detailer in my trunk. It fits nicely in the eleastic loop on the side of the trunk. If my car gets bird shit on it...I give it a quick wipe. Same for a big bug. Just give the front several squirts (to lubricate) and it should wipe off fairly easy.

Exactly what I do.