Bugs on the front?

JerJan10 · 10-28-2011, 05:58 PM

We just did a week-long trip to Florida and I had seen a friends's 5er after they went to FL and it was covered in bugs. Thinking I was being smart before we left, I sprayed the front of our 5er with Pam so the bugs would "just wash right off" when we got back home.

WRONG! The Pam turned to "goo" and it took 3 good washings to get it off (mostly). Now I have waxed it twice so it's shinny and slick. Maybe the bugs won't stick so well next time.

Any other ideas for the bug problems from more experienced camper that I am?

Thanks, JT

jq1031 · 10-28-2011, 06:22 PM

Florida bugs can be a problem especially the late spring love bugs that stick like glue & if not removed become part of your paint. The best remedy is dryer sheets. Wet dryer sheets used like a wash cloth on your vehicle do the job. Warning, don't let the residue from the sheets dry on your paint because that creates a new problem that creates further cleaning. On your windshield rainx helps!

Ron · 10-28-2011, 06:39 PM

I tried pledge wood cleaner, friend of mine said it works? Well I'm not sure seemed like I still had to schrub just as hard to get the ickys off. I would think if you put a good paste wax on and left it, then brushed it off when back home, that would work, might not look so good in the mean time but?

Happy Campin............Ron

richf28 · 10-29-2011, 01:48 AM

Friends we camp with and myself use Fluid Film. Is is pure organic, no petroleum. I spray it on and wipe it with a cloth. Fluid Film can be used for many things. I use as a lubricant and use it in place of dieletic grease in all electrical connections. I worked 30 plus years with corrosive road salt in the winter and used it religiously for electrical protection, corrosion protection and you can even undercoat your vehicles with it. We have garages in our area that now use it instead of oil for undercoating. Check out
http://www.fluid-film.com/products/index.html

ftwildernessguy · 10-29-2011, 03:50 AM

I always just put a good coat of wax on the front before leaving. Then when we get to the campground, I give the front of the truck and the trailer a quick wash and the bugs come right off. Same when we get home. I had heard of the Pam trick but never really felt good about spraying the front of my truck and trailer with that stuff.

Laredo291OH · 10-29-2011, 06:38 AM

Magic erasers work very well for removing bugs road tar etc. A magic eraser with a little Wesleys white wall cleaner will clean just about anything off the outside of a camper or truck.

**JRTJH** · 10-29-2011, 07:37 AM

Be careful using Westley's Bleech-White near the rubber roof and also near the vinyl inserts in the corner moldings. It will make the roof EPDM tacky and possibly damage it as well as turn the white vinyl insert to a off white/yellow in only a couple of applications. As for the Filon or fiberglass, I'm not sure what it does to the coating, but you're right, it does make the bugs fall away.

SLIMSHADIE · 10-29-2011, 09:23 AM

Not a recommendation, but while traveling out of state, one of my 5 gallon diesel cans dumped over. It lightly coated my tailgate and the front of my camper. I washed it that night while stopped overnight. The bugs just slid off.

**JRTJH** · 10-29-2011, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLIMSHADIE

Not a recommendation, but while traveling out of state, one of my 5 gallon diesel cans dumped over. It lightly coated my tailgate and the front of my camper. I washed it that night while stopped overnight. The bugs just slid off.

Diesel, one of the EPA's "most wanted solvents" LOL I'm sure the bugs would slide right off, just worried that the paint might also

JerJan10 · 10-31-2011, 05:22 PM

Thanks for the responses, I'll probably try some of the solutions but I won't ever use Pam again!

You may also like: