The Best Bug and Tar Removers (Review) in 2023 | Autance

Topping our list of the best bug and tar removers is the Bugs N’ All Multi-Use Vehicle Cleaner. As the name suggests, this cleaner effectively tackles bugs and ‘all’, including dirt, grease, black marks and bird droppings. It breaks down bugs by neutralizing and releasing their organic acids in just 60 seconds (less for other types of dirt), allowing you to wipe your car clean quickly and with almost no effort.

One of the best things about this bug and tar remover is that the gentle formula is suitable for use on the exterior and interior of your car and can be used on paint, leather, carpet, plastic, vinyl and upholstery, so it’s highly versatile. The bio-degradable formula contains no harsh chemicals or toxic ingredients, so it’s more environmentally friendly than many similar products. There is a lot of satisfaction with this product with users describing it as ‘magic’ and ‘phenomenal’ and gushing over its effectiveness at removing bugs almost instantly.

The next cleaning spray on our list is the Griot’s Garage 10982 Bug and Smudge Remover. This one is also designed to remove bugs as well as oil, road grime and scuffs, such as those acquired during track days. It works by breaking down the exoskeletons of bugs before they have a chance to damage your paint.

You can either use this as a pre-treatment prior to washing your car by spraying it on and leaving it for several minutes before washing as normal, or you can use it to spot treat specific marks and bug bodies. Simply spray it on, leave it for 30 seconds, and then wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth. It’s suitable for use on exterior surfaces but cannot be used on interiors. At least one user warns against getting it on plastic, saying it etched their headlights. It does the job though, and it’s another product that people describe as ‘magic in a bottle’.

This Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Remover not only removes bugs and tar from your car but also tree sap. The formula is suitable for exterior use and clings to vertical surfaces for a more effective cleaning. There’s no elbow grease required; just spray it on and wipe it off. Once removed, it leaves behind a protective barrier on your car to protect against future stains.

Reaction to the effectiveness of this spray at removing bugs and tar seem overwhelmingly positive, but feedback on removing tree sap is mixed. Some say it works, and others noticed no difference, even after several attempts. It’s also worth noting that, unlike our top pick this formula contains petroleum distillates, which makes it flammable and toxic. It can even be fatal if consumed, so make sure to exercise caution and keep well out of reach of children.

The concentrated formula of McKee’s 37 Road Kill Bug Remover is  suitable for exterior use only, but it is safe to use on all exterior surfaces, including paint, chrome, glass and plastic trim. It’s made with clear-coat safe surfactants, which break down bug carcasses before they have a chance to damage your paint.

You spray it directly onto the bugs, tar or grime marks, leaving it to work for a minute or two. Then wash your car with a sponge or the McKee’s 37 Bug Scrubber (purchased separately) and rinse with water. If you prefer, the concentrated formula can be diluted with water or just added to your regular car washing solution to give it an extra bug-dissolving boost. McKee’s 37 bug remover for cars is said to be ideal for removing those pesky love bugs, and many users agree that it rises to the challenge.

If you’re worried about using a bug and tar remover that contains toxic ingredients, this 3D Bug Remover Concentrate Cleaner has an enzyme-based formula that naturally dissolves bugs without the need for harmful chemicals. It works on paint, plastic, windows and grills to rapidly remove protein-based stains. To use, make sure your car is cool, wet the surface, spray on the remover, and leave it on for 1 – 2 minutes. Then wash your car as normal or take it through a car wash.

The bright orange formula is concentrated and can be diluted with water at a ratio of anywhere between 1:1 and 1:20, depending on how baked on your bugs are. Some users comment that it takes a bit of experimenting to get the dilution just right, and if you’re not seeing good results it might be worth trying a stronger concentration. It’s also worth noting that, unlike similar products, this cleaner doesn’t claim to remove tar and grime. But if it’s just bugs and insects that are your problem, you can’t go wrong with this formula, especially at such a competitive price.

This B.E.S.T Bug-Off Spray claims to instantly remove all types of bugs, including love bugs, as well as road grime and tree sap from your car’s exterior. The manufacturer recommends it for use on all types of automobiles, including RVs, trucks and boats. Simply spray it onto the affected area, wait no more than 30 seconds, wipe away the dissolved bug bodies with a cloth, and rinse with water.

The formula is biodegradable and more eco-friendly than some rivals, and it contains no acids or caustics, which means it won’t harm your paint or decals. There are plenty of users that attest to its effectiveness, with many saying that this worked even on bugs that had been baked onto their car by the sun over many months. Some  say the remover is so strong it will strip the wax off your car, so you should be careful not to exceed the recommended 30-second processing time.

Meguiar’s is a highly-respected name in the world of automobiles with quality assured, and its Bug & Tar Remover is no exception. This foaming formula features clear coat safe surfactants, so you can use it on all paint and exterior surfaces. Unlike some of the other bug-focused formulas on this list, this one is designed to remove both bugs and tar.

You can apply this bug and tar remover before washing your car, or use it alone as needed. Simply spray it on, leave for 5 minutes, and wipe it off. The 5-minute development time is comparatively long, and some users mention that it dries too quickly and doesn’t stick properly to vertical surfaces despite the Xtreme Cling foaming technology that is designed to prevent it from sliding off. There are many happy customers, however, who say this cleaner does a good job and is a typical high-quality Meguiar’s product.

Chemical Guys Heavy Duty Car Wash Shampoo is a concentrated formula designed to be mixed with water (1 capful of shampoo to 1 gallon of water) and used as your regular car wash to help remove bugs, tar and tree sap. If you want to use it to spot clean, you can increase the concentration to 1:6 and spray it on instead. The water-based formula is safe for clear coat and single-stage paint finishes, and it can be used to clean all the exterior surfaces of your car, including plastic, chrome, glass and aluminum.

Overall, people like this product, although some that question its effectiveness. Such users say that the recommended dilution is too weak, and the wash needs to be more concentrated to work. Others say it cleans okay but no more so than regular car soap, and it isn’t effective at removing tar. The gentle formula purposely doesn’t contain any harsh cleaners or solvents to minimize risk to your surfaces, so this might explain why it’s a little less effective than some other bug and tar removers.

One of the most affordable bug sprays for cars on our list is this Bug & Tar Pre-Wash Gel by Rain-X. This clear coat safe formula can be used on all the exterior surfaces of your car, including metal, plastic and glass. It’s designed as a pre-wash, so you apply the gel, allow it to soak, and then wash your car as normal, removing bugs, tar and bird droppings in the process.

The gel formula is popular with users with one claiming ‘its thickness makes it hold and work’. However, others complain that it’s ‘not a spray’ (not that it claims to be), and it might be a little more difficult to apply than some other cleaners. The formula is corrosive and carries a warning that it is harmful or fatal if swallowed, so you must be careful with it like  all cleaning products and be sure it’s not in reach of children.

Carpro’s Tar X Tar and Adhesives Remover is a professional-grade, glow-in-the-dark formula that uses natural solvents from orange peel to gently and effectively remove bugs, tar, asphalt and adhesives from your vehicle. It might not sound convincing, but many users believe that it’s a miracle-worker that dissolves thick, caked-on tar and adhesives even when other formulas have failed.

Not only is Tar X great for removing tar and adhesive, it also helps prolong your car’s paintwork and protects it from rust by neutralizing harmful chemicals. Unlike some of the other formulas on this list that specialize in removing bugs but fall short when it comes to tar, this sleek and sophisticated cleaner is the real deal and is one of the best ways to remove tar from car exteriors.