Bug Spots? Smudges Won't Come Off

MrLynn

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Framingham, MA
Last week, after we got back from a trip to VA and PA, we actually washed the trailer (!), using some of our big jug of Gel-Gloss RV Wash and Wax solution with a soft brush and a mop. Main aim was to get rid of the numerous bug spots on the front, which we did—to some extent. There were some smudge-like spots that would not come off, not even rubbing with cloth or a rough pad. They may not be bug residue, but I don't know what they are.

Photo has the smudgies enlarged some; may be as much as 3/16". Any idea what they are and how to get them off?
 

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Folks use all sorts of stuff with mixed results. Some even use an abrasive. :eek:

My go-to for years has always been FSR. It's taken off everything from a Rhine River mustache to nasty leaf stains.

Ron
 

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My "3 step" cleaning is:
1. LA’s Totally Awesome Orange All-Purpose Degreaser & Spot Remover

If that doesn't do it,
2. BarKeeper's Friend (The powdered version. Slightly abrasive.

And, if all else fails,
3. Acetone. Nasty stuff; while it doesn't eat fiberglass if you don't soak it, it is highly flammable & will dry your hands - wear gloves, and do not soak the fiberglass - it will soften/dissolve polyester resin.

All three will require rewaxing the area...
 
I used this Star brite bug off https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007H2S1QO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 this spring. it worked well. I was careful to use gloves and to stay upwind. It sound like some toxic stuff, tetrasodium EDTA and ethoxylated alcohols but it works, I couldn't figure out any common cleaner that works on bug splat.

That FSR removes bugs does it? I haven't ever tried it, the listing on Amazon doesn't show the back side. Does it come with dire health warnings like the bug off does?
 
Nasty stuff; while it doesn't eat fiberglass if you don't soak it, it is highly flammable & will dry your hands - wear gloves, and do not soak the fiberglass - it will soften/dissolve polyester resin.

It evaporates so fast it would be hard to soak f.g. with it. I've never noticed any softening on cured gelcoat. Operative word; cured.

Little bit nasty stuff. I worked my way through university in f.g. shops. One shop didn't supply gloves so I supplied my own. Old timers comment, skins cheaper. :nonono:

Ron
 
That FSR removes bugs does it? I haven't ever tried it, the listing on Amazon doesn't show the back side. Does it come with dire health warnings like the bug off does?

I usually remove most of the bug splat with soap and a bit of gentle scraping. It's the stain made by the splatted bug or the blood stain from a mosquito that it gets off.

Geez, using the stuff for more than 20 years and I have to read the safety comments now. :rolleyes: Usual stuff, don't breath it, drink it or get it on your skin. Opps, 20 years of using my bare fingers on the cloth. :eek: I actually don't see any effect on skin but that's the warning.

Ron
 
I use this on my truck. Spray on, wait 30, 60, 120 seconds, then it wipes bugs & tar right off. I then follow up with a wash.

Turtle Wax 50384 Bug & Tar Remover, Removes Dirt, Stains, Tree Sap and Bug Splatters From Any Exterior Surface, Works on Metal, Paint, Plastic and Glass, 16 oz https://a.co/d/5zgDV8o
 
I found the ingredients in Star Brite's fiberglass cleaner and it is oxalic acid and glycolic acid so it's an acid cleaner not solvent. I wouldn't want to get it in my eyes but better than bug off, I think. Oxalic acid is what's in Barkeepers friend, I don't know about glycolic acid.

It might be the same for FSR, I'll try and find the SDS for it.
 
Here's the link for FSRs safety data sheet, https://support.davisinstruments.co...ta-sheet-fsr-fiberglass-stain-remover-790-792

It says no respirator necessary and it's active ingredients are Isopropanol and oxalic acid.


3. COMPOSITION / INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
==========================================================================
DESCRIPTION CAS# % TLV UNIT
Isopropanol 67-63-0 4.5 400 PPM
Oxalic Acid 144-32-7 4.5 N/A
Non-toxic ingredients 91
 
Here on the Gulf Coast in Texas we get what we call “love bugs”. They can coat the front of a vehicle until it looks black. Something I’ve found that gets them off is dryer sheets. Wet the area and the dryer sheet, then use the dryer sheet as a cloth and scrub it off. Something in the fabric softener of the dryer sheet loosens the bugs up and takes the right off.
 
Here's the link for FSRs safety data sheet, https://support.davisinstruments.co...ta-sheet-fsr-fiberglass-stain-remover-790-792

It says no respirator necessary and it's active ingredients are Isopropanol and oxalic acid.


3. COMPOSITION / INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
==========================================================================
DESCRIPTION CAS# % TLV UNIT
Isopropanol 67-63-0 4.5 400 PPM
Oxalic Acid 144-32-7 4.5 N/A
Non-toxic ingredients 91

Not to mention, it will also make you cranky, as it is an irritant!
 
Here on the Gulf Coast in Texas we get what we call “love bugs”. They can coat the front of a vehicle until it looks black. Something I’ve found that gets them off is dryer sheets. Wet the area and the dryer sheet, then use the dryer sheet as a cloth and scrub it off. Something in the fabric softener of the dryer sheet loosens the bugs up and takes the right off.

After a day driving through Montana and coating the front of the truck and trailer with grasshoppers I can report that dryer sheets certainly work. The only negative thing I found was they left a very stubborn residue that was difficult to remove, even with soap and water. It may have been the no-name brand of dryer sheets I used, I'm not sure.

For that reason i went back to Bug and Tar Remover and a bug scrub pad.

But for stains like the OP posted I'd try the FSR.
 
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I wouldn't try dryer sheets because they stink to high heaven. Heavily perfumed laundry products, no thanks:nonono:
 
Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Remover. I have used it for removing stubborn bug splatter stains on the front of all types of RVs that I have owned. It is a spot remover so it takes some attention to detail. Use a good cloth and occasionally some elbow grease. It is not an abrasive so for stubborn stains I use direct application and let it soak in for a few minutes. It melts road tar that gets thrown up in the wheel wells and along the bottom edge. It does work on tree sap but will take longer for the swap to soften.

I have found from experience that keeping a good coat of wax or multiple coats on the front of the trailer makes bug removal so much easier and stops staining.
 
Bug spots

I’ve used Bounce dryer sheets very successfully or GooGone- the dryer sheets work when wet or dry and they’re cheaper
 

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