One of the worst things about summer driving is the inevitable collection of bugs that becomes plastered to the front of your RV. Not only do they look nasty, they will eat right through your paint if you don’t deal with them immediately.
There are dozens of myths about ways to prevent bugs from sticking and how to remove them from your windshield and bumper. We have listed some of the methods others have tried followed by some sound advice from expert Bobby Procida. Procida is a vice president at Sundial, Inc., a Lazydays partner company that offers professional RV detailing services.
Our Favorite Myths to Prevent Bugs from Sticking
- Spray nonstick cooking oil over the front of the bumper.
- Apply a light coat of dish soap.
- Place a cover on the bumper.
- Use a bug deflector to help protect the windshield.
According to Procida, there is no sure-fire way to keep bugs from sticking, but you can minimize the problem. “I’ve heard of a lot of these,” Procida admits. “But the best preventative is a good coat of wax because it keeps the bodies of bugs from eating through paint.” Unless you want to bake on your bumper, save the nonstick cooking oil spray for cookies.
Interesting Fixes for Removing Bugs from the Windshield and Bumper
- Run a plug of tobacco over the windshield, then run your wipers.
- Use a good clay bar.
- Scrub the windshield with grade 0000 steel wool and then apply Rain-X®.
- Soak a towel in a bucket of car wash solution, drape it across the front bumper, soak for 20 to 30 min.
- Apply kerosene followed by a good degreaser. (Better RVing.com doesn’t recommend this.)
- Wipe off bugs with an old dryer sheet.
Procida also recommends removing dead bugs and insects as soon as possible since the decaying critters produce acid that can eat through your RV’s finish and paint. “Use a good wash and wax soap,” he advises. “With a good soft brush and plenty of elbow grease, they’ll come right off.” Follow with a thorough waxing to protect against the next round.
As far as the other bug removal suggestions, Procida laughs, “I’ve never even heard of some of them.” Although he’s not sure they’ll work, he doesn’t see any harm in trying a few of these methods if you’re inclined. But BetterRVing.com offers some notes of caution. Although kerosene is sometimes used as a solvent, we don’t recommend using it. Kerosene is a petroleum product that is flammable, not environmentally friendly, potentially toxic and dangerous.
According to Procida, “Steel wool on the windshield is OK, but don’t use it anywhere else. You can also use a razor blade on the windshield, but never anywhere else.”
“A plug of tobacco? Well that’s a new one on me,” says Procida. That’s one way to have a smoke, without your spouse catching you.
Bugs on the bumper are a fact of summer travel on the open road. The only thing guaranteed to remove them is elbow grease. “That, and a lot of perseverance,” says Procida. BRV