Windscreen Armageddon (3 Viewers)

[PaddyM]

Drove through the deepest Spanish countryside yesterday for three hours and the front of the van looks like an insect charnel house .
What’s the collective wisdom re cleaning the mess off ( promise not to use the freshwater hose ) , clean the screen and leave the rest ( as it’s only gonna get blitzed again ) or clean the whole of the front ?
I’m loath to be cleaning when I could be cycling or drinking wine as I have to keep reminding myself I’m on holiday !
Cheers !

 

[AlunandFelicie]

Drove through the deepest Spanish countryside yesterday for three hours and the front of the van looks like an insect charnel house .
What’s the collective wisdom re cleaning the mess off ( promise not to use the freshwater hose ) , clean the screen and leave the rest ( as it’s only gonna get blitzed again ) or clean the whole of the front ?
I’m loath to be cleaning when I could be cycling or drinking wine as I have to keep reminding myself I’m on holiday !
Cheers !

I’d like an heads up on this too ,fed up using a lump hammer and bolster to get the buggers off

 

[Lenny HB]

Give the front end of the van a polish then a wax before the trip that will make them easier to get off the bodywork.

Clean the screen and front end everytime you stop. Don't leave them to dry on.

 

[ChrisL]

You might like to try this stuff, I haven't used it myself but it gets reasonably good reviews.

Autoglym Active Insect Remover, 500ml - Bug Remover For Cars, Quick and Effective Car Care Solution Dissolves Insect Remains From Vehicle Paint, Plastics and Glass https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001AP1DY6?tag=mhf04-21

 

[PaddyM]

It’s currently raining in not so sunny Spain so they are softening up nicely !

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[scotjimland]

Clean using a long handle bug window scraper and a bucket of water..

. . it has a nylon pad to shift the bugs and a smooth blade to wipe dry,

as said, do it every time you stop .. find these in truck stops , motorway service areas.. etc

 

[Emmit]

Anecdotal evidence suggests 'Baby wipes'

Lets face it, if it removes s**t from their little crevices, it'll be
a doddle at removing fly excrement.

 

[M-J]

Give it a good deep clean and clay bar then treat with a glass sealer/wax of your choice such as rain-x or similar.

I’ve not used the mix in this video but it looks like it would solve your dilemma…

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Most petrol stations have a bucket and squeezey you can use. Sometimes they do it for you

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

Use either neat screen wash, meths (don't drink it all) or white spirits windscreen only. Soak kitchen paper towel in water leave on bodywork for stubborn insects leave 10 to 15 minutes then wash of with clean kitchen paper towel.

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[scotjimland]

on a different note...

we noticed (UK) that there are fewer and fewer bugs on the windscreen now .. hardly any these days, a sad reflection on our way of life .. not a good omen for our survival ..

would be much happier with 'bug armageddon' to deal with.

 

[M-J]

on a different note...

we noticed (UK) that there are fewer and fewer bugs on the windscreen now .. hardly any these days, a sad reflection on our way of life .. not a good omen for our survival ..

would be much happier with 'bug armageddon' to deal with.

Could it be they are evolving and finally figured out the roads lead to imminent death

 

[scotjimland]

Could it be they are evolving and finally figured out the roads lead to imminent death

if only...

more likely being slaughtered by chemical weed and fertiliser spraying, water and air pollution ..

Insect populations are in crisis.

Recent studies paint a grim picture of the decline of insects across the planet. A well-publicised review recently concluded that current rates of decline could lead to the extinction of 41% of the world’s insect species over the next few decades. Butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, and dung beetles are amongst the most at risk, along with freshwater insects such as stoneflies, caddisflies and mayflies. A small number of unfussy, very mobile and pollutant-tolerant species are able to cope with the damage that humans are doing to our planet. These generalist species are replacing the rich diversity of species that make up the fabric of life on Earth.

 

[Gaston aires]

on a different note...

we noticed (UK) that there are fewer and fewer bugs on the windscreen now .. hardly any these days, a sad reflection on our way of life .. not a good omen for our survival ..

would be much happier with 'bug armageddon' to deal with.

Totally agree Jim, but not on my windscreen
Phil

 

[DangerMousy]

Usually we wait for the next morning in case there's a dew - that softens them up nicely. If not, then we use a spray bottle of diluted car shampoo we keep in the MH...doesn't seem to matter if you've left them to dry for a few days or if they're fresh, the shampoo gets them off easily.

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[PaddyM]

Better !

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

Do what I do, just avoid them. Saying that, plod has stopped me 19 times and breath tested me. No worries I don't drink. Saves the insects and the planet and it keeps plod on their toes

 

[cyberyacht]

As I posted a few days ago in a different thread, the bugs think I'm a branch of Dignitas

 

[PaddyM]

We were crossing over into Extramadura and the sound of the bugs on the van was like mini hailstones! Off to Montanchez tmoz and only 50 mins so might get bug lucky !

 

[Clive Beeza]

Drove through the deepest Spanish countryside yesterday for three hours and the front of the van looks like an insect charnel house .
What’s the collective wisdom re cleaning the mess off ( promise not to use the freshwater hose ) , clean the screen and leave the rest ( as it’s only gonna get blitzed again ) or clean the whole of the front ?
I’m loath to be cleaning when I could be cycling or drinking wine as I have to keep reminding myself I’m on holiday !
Cheers !

Motorcyclists find the same problem with their helmet visors getting splattered with kamikaze bugs
after many years of boking found a simple and free fix (like freebies)
just cover the bugged area with a wet cloth, old blanket or towel, leave for 10 minutes to soak and soften the buggers
and you can wipe them off amazingly seay, just try it and see.

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[Gazgandalf]

Drove through the deepest Spanish countryside yesterday for three hours and the front of the van looks like an insect charnel house .
What’s the collective wisdom re cleaning the mess off ( promise not to use the freshwater hose ) , clean the screen and leave the rest ( as it’s only gonna get blitzed again ) or clean the whole of the front ?
I’m loath to be cleaning when I could be cycling or drinking wine as I have to keep reminding myself I’m on holiday !
Cheers !

Paddy, I Might be a bit late now, but Infinity Wax Diamond Vision is a great product. About £12 from fleabay. Wipe on, allow it 'cure' 10 mins and then polish off. Not only will it make washing off bugs a doddle, but it is water repellant so wipers are not overly taxed in a downpour, vision is clearer and it improves wiper longevity and effectiveness. (Not a salesman ). A damp tissue should then sort out the bugs. One bottle will last you years.

In regard to body work, something with 'silicone' in it will be best. Waxes are great for shine and depth of colour. But the modern silicones can be better and easier for M'Home (non-metal parts) bodywork. Turtle Wax 53139 Hybrid Sealant Car Wax (£10) will cover your van with a shine and silky protection ... and enough left over to keep for 'top-ups.' This stuff doesn't get easier. Spray - Wipe - turn cloth - wipe off! Hope that helps in the future Paddy.

 

[Guigsy]

I assumed that all car cleaning detergents would be pretty similar. I had some pound shop car shampoo in the van to do quick cleans while we're on tour. It was a chore to scrub the bug guts off. When it ran out, I got a random brand stuff from a German supermarket. Cheap, but still a few times more expensive than the Poundland special. I needed substantially less soap and the bugs melted off...

 

[SpeedyDux]

on a different note...

we noticed (UK) that there are fewer and fewer bugs on the windscreen now .. hardly any these days, a sad reflection on our way of life .. not a good omen for our survival ..

would be much happier with 'bug armageddon' to deal with.

In the past it was extremely noticeable, expecially along a stretch of the M4 close to a lake. Lots of bug splatter every trip.

All sorts of insectivore bird and bat species have declined as well.

 

[SpeedyDux]

if only...

more likely being slaughtered by chemical weed and fertiliser spraying, water and air pollution ..

Insect populations are in crisis.

Recent studies paint a grim picture of the decline of insects across the planet. A well-publicised review recently concluded that current rates of decline could lead to the extinction of 41% of the world’s insect species over the next few decades. Butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, and dung beetles are amongst the most at risk, along with freshwater insects such as stoneflies, caddisflies and mayflies. A small number of unfussy, very mobile and pollutant-tolerant species are able to cope with the damage that humans are doing to our planet. These generalist species are replacing the rich diversity of species that make up the fabric of life on Earth.

The bit I disagree with is "... and air pollution" as an alleged cause. That looks unscientific. Green twaddle.

When I was a lad, and air pollution from all causes including coal fires and exhaust emissions was far worse than current low levels, the insect populations thrived. Butterflies and moths were abundant and their caterpillars could be found in every hedgerow. Try searching for caterpillars today.

 

[DangerMousy]

I assumed that all car cleaning detergents would be pretty similar. I had some pound shop car shampoo in the van to do quick cleans while we're on tour. It was a chore to scrub the bug guts off. When it ran out, I got a random brand stuff from a German supermarket. Cheap, but still a few times more expensive than the Poundland special. I needed substantially less soap and the bugs melted off...

We've always had good results with Simoniz Car Shampoo - a big bottle lasts ages.

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[Clive Beeza]

Motorcyclists find the same problem with their helmet visors getting splattered with kamikaze bugs
after many years of biking found a simple and free fix (like freebies)
just cover the bugged area with a wet cloth, old blanket or towel, leave for 10 minutes to soak and soften the buggers
and you can wipe them off amazingly easily, just try it and see.

 

[Mike Rivers]

Wait until you see a jet wash then zap the buggers. I’m afraid it’s a bit like painting the Forth bridge so the less energy you use the better.

 

[nicholsong]

I drove for a travel company with 150 VW T5/6.

We had a supply of Autosmart G101, which I have since bought.

Wet the screen, spray a 50% dilution on, wait 5 mins and brush/rinse off.

Easy/peasy. Bees' knees - takes those off too

[You have to buy in quantity on-line, or through reps delivered to door. 5Lt can I bought 21 years ago is still 1/2 full ]

 

[ontheroadagain]

I drove for a travel company with 150 VW T5/6.

We had a supply of Autosmart G101, which I have since bought.

Wet the screen, spray a 50% dilution on, wait 5 mins and brush/rinse off.

Easy/peasy. Bees' knees - takes those off too

Is it safe to use on painted surfaces too?

 

[Blaydon]

Hi folks. I use a bucket with plain water and a cloth every couple of days. I like to keep the whole van clean. By doing this frequently it is easy. It takes about one episode of the Archers to go over the whole van. First water, then wipe off with a dry cloth. It means the bugs are kept at bay and the van looks good when arriving to a site, or border.

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