Taking action against paint eaters

Insects should be removed from the paintas fast as possible. An insect remover and a special insect sponge are easy onthe paintwork.

Now that everything in nature springs up again, insects wake up as well – much to the car driver’s regret. These bugs stubbornly stick on windows and paint. “What do you recommend for removing insects from the paint – especially when they are already firmly imbedded in the surface?” asks Klaus K. from Zurich.

Hot tip: quick action is imperative here – like with bird droppings and tree sap. These organic “paint eaters” cause severe damages to the paint, particularly when exposed to direct sunlight. The longer the residues remain on the paint, the deeper they eat away into the surface, causing real craters and cracks visible under the microscope. In this case, paint care not only serves aesthetics, but also helps preserve the vehicle.

There are a few simple rules: it is the best to protect the paintwork already before starting to drive. Insects do not stick that easy on a smooth paint maintained and preserved with hard wax and are removed with much less effort. Next rule: always remove insects as fast as possible – gently with an efficient insect remover. Simply spray the areas concerned and let sit briefly.

Good products need to be applied evenly and can, due to their viscous texture, stay on for a long time. Thus, they even remove dried insect residues. If necessary, wipe treated areas afterwards – best with a special insect sponge that does not scratch the paint.

By the way: for a clean windscreen during summer, use a windscreen cleaner based on a cleaning formula especially adjusted to the warm season. It quickly and thoroughly dissolves insect residues, which are then wiped away with the wipers.