A July evening on the 401 can leave the front of a car covered in bugs, and construction season adds tar and fresh asphalt specks behind the wheels. Both come off far more easily in the first few days than after a week in the sun.
Bug remains dry hard in summer heat and bond to the clear coat. Washing within two or three days of a highway trip means most of them lift with soap and water. After a week or more, expect some to stay behind.
For a heavy coat, lay a wet microfibre towel over the bumper or mirror for a few minutes before washing to soften the remains. Do not scrape them off with a fingernail or a scrubbing pad.
Tar shows up as small black or brown dots on the lower doors and behind the front wheels, especially after driving through repaving. A wash usually leaves some of it. Apply a dedicated tar remover by hand with a soft cloth, following the product label, then rinse.
After a long drive in the sun, the hood and roof can be hot enough to dry soap and water before the rinse reaches them, which leaves spots. Park in the shade for a few minutes before you drive into the bay.
Bug residue on the glass smears into a film when the wipers run. After the wash, wipe the blades with a damp cloth so they do not drag old residue back across the windshield.
Dried bugs on the front end need time under foam and water to loosen, and Luxury adds the Tri Foam conditioner and a second high-pressure rinse. For a light layer after a short trip, Quick Wash usually does the job. Save Luxury for the long drives where the bumper and mirrors are thick with them.
Every stage on the menu, with two rinses and a protectant.
$2 more than Full Wash
Not always. Fresh bugs mostly come off, but ones that have been baked on for a week or more may need a second wash or careful cleaning by hand.
Yes. If the hood is very hot, let it cool for a few minutes first so water does not dry on it before the rinse.
Treat bird droppings as soon as you can, since they can mark paint in hot weather. Sap usually needs a sap remover applied by hand if it has hardened.
