Bug Removal

[planepilot1]

Bugs on leading edges, struts, cowlings, etc. Someone just gave me a product to try to get these pesky critters off the above areas. My question is does anyone have any experience with this product? Will it harm our paint job?

The product is Nathans "BUG BLAST". Mfg'd by Nathans @ P.O. Box 242, Eden, NY 14057 716-992-9777. The product says it is specially formulated for trucks, cars, rv's & motocycles. Nothing about airplanes, but of course if it did the price would be double! Furthur it says it won't remove wax or damage finish. Any suggestions or comments will be appreciated.

Also heard that 3M makes an adhesive remover that works wonders on bugs. Don't know anything about whether it is safe to use on aircraft or not.

Frank Stephenson
N6888A

[webmaster]

I like water myself. Just spray it on, wait a minute, and wipe them off. It works especially well if you have good wax on the surface before the bugs hit.

Dale

[flyer170]

Frank..... For what it is worth here is what I do about bugs.
After I wash the aircraft I put a light coat of wax on the leading edges.
Then after every flight I use a spray bottle with water and a few drops of dish soap mixed in. I lightly spray the leading edges and wipe down one wing at a time. I do the cowl, gear, struts and prop the same way. I try to do it religiously after every flight before they have a chance to bake on. I carry the bottle and my bug cloth with me on cross county flights.
For the windshield I use the same mixture but I use my bare hand to scrub the bugs loose and then I wipe them off with a cleaner, softer, rag than I use on the rest of the airvraft. Then I use a plexiglass cleaner, polish for the final cleaning of the windshield.
I know it sounds like a lot of work but it only takes a few minutes. The key is to do it after every flight and use your bare hand on the windshield.
Bob

[GAHorn]

Try "Pledge" aerosol furniture dust/wax spray. Let it sit awhile then wipe them off. Use Pledge as an anti-bug coating, as well.

[Joe Dickey]

Mr Horn is correct.....WD 40 and Pledge are the "duct tape" of aerosols. Also works great if you use it under the cowl and belly to remove the "gunk" and oil....care must be used.... lest wives learn that we are capable of polishing with Pledge....

[N1277D]

On polished aluminum a mixture of 1/2 water 1/2 alcohol and some Bon Ami takes those bugs off quickly and even polishes the metal some

[JDH]

I wish I had fresh bugs on the leading edge; its -16º C here... JD

[flyer170]

JD.... Minus 28 C this a.m. in northern Mn.

[CAS]

It is +30 C here in Perth, Western Australia and you can have my squashed bugs

[flyer170]

Summer down under
in Perth hey mate

Bummer down underwear,
cold of late

[planepilot1]

I appreciate the remedies suggested. I have found, as was suggested, that after a flight if I take plain water in a sponge wet down the bugs and come back with still more wet sponge that it gets most off easily and those that are tougher will come off with some additional rubbing. I too use Pledge to clean the windshield and windows.

My main concern was with the possible harmful effects of the "Bug Blast" product on my paint. I know Windex is a "NO NO" on plastic windows. A friend gave it to me and I don't want to hurt his feelings, but don't want to mess up a paint job either.

Frank
N6888A

[Dave Clark]

A hangar nieghbor told me about a clear spray on Turtle wax that He's using on the leading edge and cowl etc. He said the bugs almost fall off.

[zero.one.victor]

It's old mother nature at work. Turtles eat bugs. When the bugs smell the Turtle Wax they think that turtles are close by,so they go away. Works just like the deer repellant you spray on your shrubbery,that's just coyote piss.

Professor Eric

[Dave Clark]

That's really good Eric.

[Boiler Bill]

A friend told me how to clean plexiglass window front and sides. When your back and see all the bugs on the windshield. Get a bucket of water and buy those cheap round soft wax applicators from your local Auto supply store. They are soft and work great.

Now wet the round soft applictors in the water and squeeze most of the water out. Take some liquid turtle wax and just put a few drops on the applicator. Rub directly on the bugs on the winshield. Don;t wet the windshield first just rub in the damp wax in a circluar motion. Try doing half of the windshied gently rubbing and the bugs will come off and the wax seems to hide alot of small scratches, just keep rubbing and all will be clear like a new winshield, then do the other side and side windows.
I do the inside once a year, everything stays clear you don't even wipe it dry with a towel. My friend has been doing this for over 10 years on the same windows and they look new.