Detailing 2007 Beetle

[JWerner2]

Ok, so my wife's Aunt dropped off her VW for me today. I have been using HD cleanse to clean it down for a fresh job but I cant get this damn bug guts and tree sap off for the life of me. Now I know that there is a ass load of crap advertising for bug and sap bt I never had luck with them. I used clay like I always do as part of my routine and this sh*t dont come off!


Suggestions?


Also it is convertible, what can I use for the top?

 

[gixxer]

for bugs i use surf city garage road grime. works well for me

 

[kustomizingkid]

Tree sap is the worst... I like 3M adhesive remover, it is still slow going though...

As far as the top, clean with an APC and protect with another top protector, need to determine if it is cloth or vinyl...

 

[JWerner2]

Hmmm, Im thinking its cloth. I forgot to even check.

3m huh? And that's safe on a soft clear coat and paint?

She has lots of tall trees and there are lots of big bugs so Im thinking there is even some other sh*t in the paint also. I noticed sometimes over the summer when I parked my car at her house I had what looked like little bug turds all over the thing ( or what I assume, could also be bits of bark chewed by bugs ) and from it falling from such a height it didnt wanna come out without a good wash.

 

[PeteyCracks]

I work at a carwash and for sap on the paint, we use a wee bit of Rain-X on a dry towel. A few circles on the sap and it comes right off. Those bits on your paint, if they stay long enough it'll take the paint with it. Gotta use you fingernail or something and pop em off as soon as you notice them

 

[pektel]

Wow, didn't see this earlier.

3m adhesive cleaner for the sap. Surf City Road Trip Grime Destroyer for bugs.

A trick for really bad bugs is to put a wet dryer sheet over them. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wash the surface. Should do the trick.

 

[pektel]

And werner, those little bug turds are probably artillery fungus. REALLY tough to remove completely. The normally reside in mulch beds.

 

[JWerner2]

Thanks Pete. Its been raining just about every day since the last time I had a whack it this car. Thats all it does here this time of the friggin year though and now we have back to back Nor'easters.

This is the fungus you talk of, it does look similar.

But over the summer it literally shows up seconds after being parked at her house since its all trees.

 

[Detailed Image]

Bugs, road grime, tar, etc. I like to use the Stoner Tarminator - 14 oz and the Chemical Guys Bug Bugger & Tar Remover - 16 oz. The 3M Adheisve Remover is another great option as well. For the convertible top I clean it as usual while washing. Treat stains with the 303 Cleaner & Spot Remover - 32 oz on both soft and hard tops. The 303 High Tech Fabric Guard - 16 oz is also great for protecting fabric tops, carpets, etc. If you have a vinyl top the 303 Aerospace Protectant - 16 oz is my product of choice for UV protection. However I'm pretty sure all the Beetles have soft tops.

Greg @ DI