Splat! Here's 10 Of The Best Bug Removers For Cars

Tree sap, brake fluid, bird droppings, gas, dust, and bugs — these are just a few of the things that can cause car paint damage. Washing with water is never enough. You need some powerful stuff to deal with tough problems. In this article, I'll share with you 10 of the best bug remover products that not only deliver astounding results but are also safe for your car’s paint.

Car owners everywhere know just how complex keeping a vehicle’s appearance in tip-top shape can be. You get to feel everything from joy and fun to frustration and sorrow. That’s because from dust to air pollution, many things can damage and discolor your car’s clear coat. 

Aside from aesthetic issues, failing to keep your car clean can lead to trouble down the road. It can be a breeding ground for bacteria and rust and, eventually, weaken the vehicle’s structural integrity.

Bug Damage

In general, a car’s exterior surfaces are particularly exposed to a wide array of contaminants. Some are unavoidable, while others, such as tree sap or tar, are less prone to occur. But when they do, they can be very damaging. 

One of the more underrated contaminants out there are bugs. Bugs are not your vehicle's friend! Their body fluids are acidic and can dissolve automobile paint in no time. Small as they are, insects can cause a lot of trouble. Even if the surface is cleaned soon after impact, all bets are off if bug remains are left in place.

Bug splats are usually stubborn and can be a nightmare to clean off. They can appear on both the windshield and the car's paintwork, where they can eat straight through the clear coat.

For removal, don’t try to scrape or rub bug stains off as it will likely damage your paint far worse than the bug itself. Use a professional bug remover for cars instead.

How Do I Get Dried Bugs Off My Car?

If your car has bugs stuck to its surfaces, the best thing to do first is to give it a good hand wash — whenever possible, avoid automatic car washes. This will help remove part of the contaminants. Dirt and dust should be the first to go, while dead bugs will take a bit longer to come off.

To deal with bug removal, it's best to use a professional product created for cars to loosen and lift the remains, which can be next removed using a microfiber towel. Don’t try to scrub bug guts off with a dry towel, as this can cause fine scratches. 

Keeping microfiber towels and a good bug cleaner in the car is a good idea, so you can remove insects immediately after each drive.

The 10 Best Bug Removers For Cars

The auto industry had expanded a lot over these past years and so did the car care market, leaving customers with plenty of products to choose from. However, this can be confusing for the regular car owner since most have decent marketing and similar prices. 

Bug removers for cars are not all the same. Their components and effectiveness differ from one to the other, depending on their quality, main focus, etc. Pick one that delivers good results while being safe both for you and your car. Read on, and I’ll help you find the right bug cleaner! To start, our top pick is…

1. Nexgen Bug And Tar Remover

Got bugs stuck on your car’s surface? From bumblebees to mosquitos, most airborne bugs contain nasty toxins that can cause damage to your vehicle’s clear coat, as well as the paint. Nexgen Bug and Tar Remover’s fast-acting formula breaks down the most stubborn bugs and tar residue to prevent permanent damage, with just a few squirts.

Another thing that makes this an incredible product is its versatility. As with all of Nexgen’s products, it has a unique formulation of solvents and specialty surfactants combined that are safe for painted surfaces as well as surrounding plastics. From windshields to plastics, chromes, bumpers, painted surfaces, and grilles, this cleaner will deliver on its promise.

More so, it is very easy to apply. 

Just spray it on, leave it for about two minutes, and rinse. You don’t even need to scrub. Apply, relax, and rinse — that’s how easy removing bugs from your car should be.

To complete the paint protection process, follow up with Nexgen Ceramic Spray.

2. Chemical Guys Concentrated Bug And Tar Remover Car Wash Soap 

This all-purpose cleaner for cars is meant to help you clean both the interior and exterior of your car. It removes bugs, tree sap, and insects from a wide variety of surfaces, such as aluminum, mirrors, windows, metal, or rubber, among others. The description says it’s also good for removing black marks and grease spots. 

I can say that it is indeed effective, as long as you use it on a completely flat surface where it could sit for some time. The liquid is so thin that it runs right off any surface with the slightest tilt. All in all, it can be a good product, but not the easiest one to use.

3. Armor All Extreme Bug & Tar Remover

Whether you are dealing with bird droppings, tar, or bugs, the Armor All Extreme Bug & Tar Remover is a great option. It will also work on glass since it doesn’t leave any streaks. And even if the surface has wax protection or a ceramic coat, you can use it safely. 

Its formula can be used as a pre-treatment before washing, making it one of my favorite bug removers for cars. There is no need for scrubbing and scraping and scrubbing. As it works soon after contact, I recommend this to anyone in a rush.

4. 3D Bug Remover - All Purpose Exterior Cleaner & Degreaser 

This all-purpose cleaner for cars is meant to help you clean both the interior and exterior of your car. It removes bugs, tree sap, and insects from a wide variety of surfaces, such as aluminum, mirrors, windows, metal, or rubber, among others. The description says it’s also good for removing black marks and grease spots.  I can say that it is indeed effective, as long as you use it on a completely flat surface where it could sit for some time. The liquid is so thin that it runs right off any surface with the slightest tilt. All in all, it can be a good product, but not the easiest one to use.

5. Bugsplatter N All