Holy love bugs!!!
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Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 149
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From: Florida
2014 E63 S
Holy love bugs!!!
Just got back from a trip to south Florida. We were on the road one way for about 3 hours and this is what we encountered. The ***** of it is that it stained the paint. As soon as we got home I spent a 1/2 hour scrubbing the front of the car and now there is a silhouette of the bugs after they have been removed. They were only on the car for around 4 hours and I guess because it is so hot they etched right in. I think they can be wet sanded out as it only looks to be in the clear and not into the color of the car. They were so bad there were times we had to pull over because we couldn't see out of the windsheild . Do you northern guys get anything like this.
The smell of love bugs stinks. They almost smell like boiled peanuts
The smell of love bugs stinks. They almost smell like boiled peanuts
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 537
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From: Land of Magnolias and Mint Juleps
We try to make a trip to Destin each September - when the Love Bugs are out in that part of Florida. I've had the same situation...had to stop a couple of times to clean the windshield in order to see. I've never had a problem with them staining the paint, either on white or silver. I've always thought, "If these didn't wash off easily, I'd have a serious problem." We're about 7 hrs from Destin, so they do bake on.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,653
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
Good grief....what a mess
Never have had that degree of problem BUT I do know for a fact that those of us with the dark colors are going to have the problem with bugs and birds when that stuff hits the hot finish and we don't get it off immediately. Meguiars makes a product called "Scratch X" I have used it to remove such stains on my black corvette and also on the Blue GL......it does work. It is safe for use on clear coat finishes and is simple to use........that said, I have never tried to do the whole front end of a car!
Never have had that degree of problem BUT I do know for a fact that those of us with the dark colors are going to have the problem with bugs and birds when that stuff hits the hot finish and we don't get it off immediately. Meguiars makes a product called "Scratch X" I have used it to remove such stains on my black corvette and also on the Blue GL......it does work. It is safe for use on clear coat finishes and is simple to use........that said, I have never tried to do the whole front end of a car!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 18,414
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From: West Michigan
2007 E63
Holy ****! (Excuse my language) But that's horrible on such a beautiful SUV!
You're not the only one with love bug experiences though.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ight=love+bugs
You're not the only one with love bug experiences though.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ight=love+bugs
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 352
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From: fl
1992 500E, 2006 E500, 2007 GL 450
I live in South Florida. Love bugs are a pain but they always wash off. Never had a problem with staining. I keep a fresh coat of Rejex on the paint during love bug season so that washing won't be too difficult. My GL and E500 are pewter my 500E is a light metallic green.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,517
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Wher I lived in SC we had the same problem. As I remember a commercial cleaning product will remover the "stain"...a paint cleaner or sometype of wax combination product. I am sure someone here can recommend one.
One nice thing about desert driving is the lack of bug residue...
One nice thing about desert driving is the lack of bug residue...
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 524
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From: MS Gulf Coast
1997 E320 Sedan
And guess what? They weren't bad this year! I know the feeling as I deal with them twice a year here as well.
WD40 works well in removing them and also if you plan ahead by spraying the front so that they come off easier.
WD40 works well in removing them and also if you plan ahead by spraying the front so that they come off easier.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Los Angeles, CA
'07 GL450
Do you spray WD40 on the front prior? and clean with it afterwards? Will this have any negative effects on the paint? What does everyone else use?
BTW, I never found an aftermarket bug deflector.
Regards,
Mel
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 524
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From: MS Gulf Coast
1997 E320 Sedan
I will be doing my road trip to SoCal this weekend and was wondering what I should treat the front bumper with to avoid the bugs from being baked on.
Do you spray WD40 on the front prior? and clean with it afterwards? Will this have any negative effects on the paint? What does everyone else use?
BTW, I never found an aftermarket bug deflector.
Regards,
Mel
Do you spray WD40 on the front prior? and clean with it afterwards? Will this have any negative effects on the paint? What does everyone else use?
BTW, I never found an aftermarket bug deflector.
Regards,
Mel
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
From: Ashburn, VA
2007 R320
