Bugs Be Gone!

[JamesTXSD]

It's that time of year when you may be hitching up the C-Dory and heading down the road to find some great new cruising waters. After towing the boat a couple hundred miles, you look back to see your beautiful shiny boat is the final resting place for thousands of suicidal bugs.

(Joke:
Q. What's the last thing that goes through a bug's mind when he hits your windshield?

A. His ass.)

I've often thought they should make vehicle/vessel paint out of bug guts - it never wants to come off! Well, here's a little tip that may help keep your pretty boat looking good...

Bounce dryer sheets. I just came in from cleaning the front cap on our 5th wheel (a LOT more frontal area than a C-Dory), and the Bounce sheets work better than anything else I've tried at removing bug splats. I keep the used ones out of the dryer and put them in the clean up kit. Get 'em wet and lightly scrub the bug remains; works better than soapy water and a scrub brush. Really. And they're virtually free.

We also put them in the boat when it's in storage - it keeps it fresh smelling and keeps critters away. I save those, too, for later clean up. (the dryer sheets, not the critters)

As far as I know, it doesn't have to be just the Bounce brand. I've used the no-name sheets and they work fine, too.

You may want to leave a few bug splats on the radar... when people ask, "Is your boat fast?" you can point to the bugs and say, "What do you think?" :wink:

Another helpful hint from the real Captain Jim. If you find this information useful, you can pay me back by posting a photo essay of your latest C-Dory outing. It's been about a month now since we put Wild Blue in storage while we head off to this next chapter, and I could use some uplifting C-Dory tales.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[thataway]

Jim,
I have been using Bounce for the last couple of years on the RV. On the new unit it didn't seem to be doing the job--plus expensive all body paint and Diamond Shield front covering (costs more than diamonds, thus the name!).

So I did a comparison with putting on either Protect ALL or 303 protectorant. Then using the bounce, vs a good stiff solution of Blue Coral Wash and wax. The Wash and Wax won by a mile--and it leaves some protection on the RV/boat.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Dr. Bob,

If you're looking for good protection on the front of your RV, there is a product called ReJex. Not inexpensive, about $24 per bottle. It is a polymer, not a wax. What I've read about it (not from the manufacturer, but from RVers who've been using it) says nothing sticks to it. I bought some of it when we were at the NuWa factory a couple weeks ago and just a coat on the front of the 5th wheel today. It'll be another week or so before we roll again, so I'll let you know what our experience is with it.

I used a brush in soapy water today on the bugs, then the Bounce sheets... they came off easily, but it took a while because there is a LOT of surface area on the front of our HitchHiker. I had waxed that front cap before we left south Texas (two coats)... those bugs were on there. I'm anxious to see how this ReJex works.

We used to use Protect-All on the vinyl bra on the front of the last coach... it really made a difference for the bugs coming off that bra, but not on the paint.

Best wishes,
Jim

 

[thataway]

The Rejex is also used on Diamond Shield. Sounds like a good product. Reading the reviews they are good, but some say it is not a cure all, so try it and find out! One of my concerns is the Bounce is a bit "stiff" and I like to use a micro fiber on the paint to avoid any scratching.

Some of the acrylics are also used, but they have to be removed each year and re-applied.

Keep those bugs off!