To remove love bugs and road tar from your car, treat each one before you wash: spray a bug remover on insect residue, let it work for 1-3 minutes without drying and rinse it off; then apply a tar remover to tar spots, let it soften the residue briefly and wipe it away with a microfiber cloth. Finish with a normal wash. Pre-treating means the dirt comes off without hard scrubbing, which helps protect the paint.
Why bugs and tar don't come off in a normal wash
Bug splatter builds up on the front of the car every time you drive, and during love bug season it can cover the bumper, hood and windshield in a single trip. Once it dries, insect residue sticks to the surface and a regular car shampoo often can't lift it. The same goes for bird droppings and other organic stains.
Road tar is a different problem. Small black spots of tar and asphalt are thrown up by the tires and land on the lower panels, rocker panels and wheel arches. Tar is sticky and greasy, so water and shampoo alone tend to smear it instead of removing it.
The answer is to use the right product for each type of contamination: Bug Remover for insect residue, bird droppings and organic stains, and Orion Wax - Tar & Adhesive Remover for tar, asphalt spots and sticker residue.
What you need
- DVX Bug Remover for dried insects, bird droppings and organic stains
- DVX Orion Wax - Tar & Adhesive Remover (16 oz) for tar, asphalt spots and adhesive residue
- A spray bottle or pump sprayer for applying Bug Remover
- Several clean microfiber cloths
- A pressure washer or hose
- A car shampoo such as Wash & Berry, a wash bucket and a wash mitt
Step by step: how to remove love bugs and road tar
- Start with a cool surface. Park in the shade so products don't dry on the paint before they have time to work.
- Apply Bug Remover before washing. Spray it onto the affected areas: front bumper, hood, grille, headlights, mirrors and windshield.
- Let it dwell for 1-3 minutes. Bug Remover softens dried insect deposits so they can be rinsed away. Do not let it dry on the surface; if you are working on a large area, treat one section at a time.
- Rinse thoroughly. Rinse the treated areas with plenty of water. Most of the softened residue should come away without scrubbing.
- Treat tar spots with Orion Wax. Apply Orion directly to each tar or asphalt spot. It is ready to use, so apply it undiluted.
- Wait a short time. Give Orion a short dwell time to soften the tar.
- Wipe it away. Gently wipe the softened tar with a clean microfiber cloth. Turn the cloth often so you don't drag tar across the paint. Repeat on stubborn spots instead of pressing harder.
- Wash the car. Continue with a normal wash using a car shampoo, then rinse and dry.
Love bugs, bird droppings and tar: where to look
Front of the car: Bumpers, hoods, grilles, headlights, mirrors and windshields collect most insect residue and bird droppings. This is where Bug Remover does most of its work.
Lower panels and wheel arches: Tar and asphalt spots collect behind the wheels and along the sides. Orion is made for painted surfaces, lower panels and wheel arches.
Glass and plastic trim: Orion also works on glass and plastics, so you can use it on tar spots on windows or trim.
Stickers and adhesive: Orion dissolves adhesive residue and sticker remains, such as leftover dealer stickers or parking permits.
Common mistakes
- Scrubbing dry bugs. Hard scrubbing of dried insect residue puts the paint at risk. Let Bug Remover soften it first so it rinses away without aggressive scrubbing.
- Letting the product dry. Bug Remover needs to stay wet during its 1-3 minute dwell time. Work in the shade and in sections.
- Waiting too long. The longer bug residue and bird droppings sit, the harder they are to remove. Clean them off as soon as you can.
- Using the wrong product. Bug Remover is for insects and organic stains; tar and adhesive need a tar remover like Orion.
- Skipping the wash. Both products are a pre-treatment. Always finish by washing the treated areas.
- Using a dirty cloth on tar. A tar-covered cloth spreads the mess. Switch to a clean side often.
FAQ
How long should bug remover sit?
Apply Bug Remover before washing and allow 1-3 minutes. Do not let it dry, then rinse thoroughly and continue with a normal wash.
How do I remove tar from my car?
Apply Orion to the spot, let it sit briefly to soften the tar, wipe with a microfiber cloth and wash the area.
Is the tar remover safe on paint?
Orion is a water-based remover that is gentle on paint and surfaces, and it is often used before polishing or protection.
Is Bug Remover only for car washes?
Bug Remover comes in a 5 gal bulk size for professional use, which suits car washes and fleet maintenance.
Get bugs and tar off the easy way
Pre-treat insect residue with Bug Remover, dissolve tar spots with Orion Wax - Tar & Adhesive Remover and finish with a normal wash. Browse the full tar and heavy dirt remover collection to keep the front of your car clean all season.