Bug Stains?? - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

csawyer · #1 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009, 10:08 AM

Bought my wife a 2006 Nissan Murano a while back--tried to talk her into a 4Runner, but to no avail. GREAT condition overall with low miles. It has what appears to be dead bugs on the front, but when I run my hand over them, I can't feel anything. I tried bug remover, scrubbing, clay bar, and cleaner wax--nothing. I'm sure this is going to require some sort of wet sanding or gritty compounding, but I don't want to screw up. Any suggestions??

Brandon1 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009, 11:58 AM

That would be bug etching, and it will almost certain require a repaint of the front end to remove. It's caused by bugs being left sitting on the surface for to long. You can try a heavy abrasive and see what it does.

csawyer · #3 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009, 07:59 PM

I was afraid you were going to say that...

jkirby00 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 12:01 AM

I am not sure if this is typical but I have noticed on my 2006 Tundra DC that the upper part of the front end (the structure attached to the hood) does not get bug etching too bad; however the bumper on the front which seems to be made of plastic is very prone to bug etching. I bought the truck used and the bumper is terrible.

I have toyed with having it repainted or having the bumper replaced with a new one. Can the bumper be refinished since it is not metal? What would be the cost of something like that roughly?

Thanks
John

csawyer · #5 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 05:35 PM

I would try one of three options.

1--use the steps outlined in the touch-up paint thread to see if you can get the etching out (the wet sanding and buffing parts)--that's what I'm going to try on my wife's car when I get brave enough

2--take the bumper off and have it repainted at a local body shop--I would take the bumper off to avoid any potential problems with overspray and to allow them full 360 degree access to everything

3--try your local salvage yard and see if you might get lucky enough to find a Tundra that was rear ended and has a nice front bumper you could replace yours with--assuming color match of course

And my wife wonders why I raise hell at her when she doesn't take the time to rinse off the car when she gets bugs or bird crap all over it!?!?!?

ahowudoin · #6 (**permalink**) 07-11-2009, 11:10 PM

Do you think putting on a clear bra might hide it?

Brandon1 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-12-2009, 10:38 AM

Clear Bra will magnify the bug stains.

shawn74 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 11:28 AM

Not that this will help your current situation, but if you go through all the work of fixing the bug etching I would pick up some Poorboys Bugsquash. I have always used turtle wax bug and tar remove to get those nasty little corpses off the front of my truck. It is such a pain that they usually get left on there much longer than they should. I just ordered some of the bugsquash from autogeek and am amazed. My wife has a white Highlander that was covered in dead bugs from a trip road trip to Klaloch, WA. I knew that i was going to be placing an order from AG so I left them on there for about 2 weeks. Once I got the bugsquash I sprayed one half full strength. The bugs literally melted off. There were brown streaks dripping down her bumper. It was amazing (in a gross kind of way). The other half I did a 3:1 ratio water to solution. It also started to have brown streaks of melting bugs. I would strongly recommend this to help you from having this problem again. Good luck with you restoration.