Front end bug damage, need ideas.

[srkpaco]

I have a 2004 LC with 138K on it. For the last several month I have had to drive back and forth to south Texas. I had my car detailed today and there is serious damage to my hood and front bumper due to bug residue etching the paint down to the steel and rock chips. In hindsight I should have put some sort of bug protector on but that day has come and gone so here I am. I am a Texas native and have never had this issue on any other vehicle but maybe the fact that my LC is black and the paint is almost 11 years old has something to do with it. Anyway are there any option out there to cover this and prevent more damage, i.e. a 5" strip of bed liner, some sort of black mat tape? I really do not want to try and re-spray the hood with paint.

Thanks.

 

[Muddy Bean]

Is it just me, or does it look like the bug goo is still splattered. I can't tell very well from the photo, but it looks more like actual bug splatter versus paint damage. Can I see more pics with different lighting?

 

[mgilvan]

i have a black landy as well I know the pain
Couple of ideas ,
1. How would you feel about a clear bra your hood? I have seen Ferraris and lambos with them . it’s pretty cool
2. I have that plastic bug hood deflector , it works ok ? how you feel about those ?

 

[srkpaco]

Muddy bean, that is the problem just had my rig washed and waxed what younarenlookingnatnisnpaint damage etched not the paint. What looks like bug splatter is where the paint has been removed

 

[srkpaco]

Mgilvan, I have thought about both of those dupicolor make a clear spray you can apply but I am trying to get something that will cover the damage and then protect it?

 

[larryt]

You guys must have some serious bugs in Texas. I have only seen damage that bad from bird droppings left on paint for a long time. Were the bugs left on the paint for a long time after splatter?

There is a product by DrColorChip that gets pretty good reviews from detailers. It's used for road rash type paint damage. It's not going to be perfect but should keep rust away and look decent from a distance.

After you touch it up, maybe carry a spray bottle of quick detailer and a microfiber cloth to get the bugs off every few days.

 

[GaFJC]

What paint "restoration" work so to speak did the detailer do? Some detailers just do a quick wax or buff. Others do a multi step process that can really work wonders.

 

[TXLX100]

You can install some paint protection film in the future, that's really the only thing that will protect it. Has to be professionally installed. Really no point doing anything now except touching it up. Good news is it's black and you can get just hood and fenders painted without blending.

I get more abrasion damage from highway driving, and clean bugs off pretty quick after long road trips.

 

[srkpaco]

Honestly y'all I am shocked at the damage from the bugs, I have lived in Texas all my whole 40 years and have never seen damage like this from leaving bug juice on your car for a week to 10 days, I washed the vehicle every 7 to 10 days.

I agree I have seen this with bird poop if it is left on the car for a long period of time but never from bugs, this is a first.

I might take it to a body shop and see if they can just re-spray that front 4 to 6 inches of the hood for a reasonable price?

 

[srkpaco]

i can't believe there is not some sort of black rocker panel tape or protection i could use for this application?

 

[larryt]

It's probably cheaper just to pull the hood off and respray the whole thing.

Was there any etching to the grill or bumper?

 

[Bloomer]

Have had the same experience as the OP being in South Texas and having vehicles that are driven by my wife and I over 100 miles each day (each of us in separate vehicles). My wife drives a dark green Jeep and we see etching in the front where we've left the bug splats in place without cleaning over a weeks time period. Not quite as obvious on my pick up that is a daily driver for me since it is white. Have not been able to find anything that corrects it or been able to have it detailed out after the etching has occurred.

 

[re_guderian]

I'd guess you'll have a hard time getting someone to blend 4-6" of the hood, rather they'd prefer to do the whole thing, and you'll likely get a better result. I recently paid $250 to get my whole hood painted. 3M makes clear bra stuff. I have it on my black cruiser, but it's starting to fade/crack.

 

[Muddy Bean]

Something in the bugs' juice then is acidic or something. yikes. Texas bugs are crazy. I know some hate this, but would a hood bug deflector help hide?

 

[TXLX100]

Just ran across this, might be worth a shot----> http://3mauto.com/paint-defender-spray-film.html

And of course..... Plastidip

 

[srkpaco]

Yup, I am driving about 200 miles a day in South Texas. I will be done with this job in December so will probably just let it go until then and then get the entire hood resprayed.