Bug cleaner test

Are you bugged by the variety of critters that end up on the front of your car when you return from even a short journey?

Removing them used to take a lot of elbow grease with a sponge and a bucket of soapy water. But how times have changed – now, there’s a range of specific bug and tar removing solutions to tackle the job.

Most car care specialists offer products designed to shift insects, tree sap, bird dirt and tar all in one go. Most are spray-on applications, but there are wipes and aerosols, too. So which is best? We find out...

Using a variety of cars, we tried each product against old tar spots, stuck-on dead insects, bird lime and sticky tree sap. We were keen to find a true all-rounder that lifted all these stains effectively. And because the dirt doesn’t care what it soils, it will latch on to any part of your car. As a result, we gave extra points to formulations that were safe to use on the vehicles’ paintwork, glass and areas of plastic trim.

As the test progressed, a common issue soon appeared: overspray. If the solution was allowed to dry out before being wiped, it could be really difficult to remove properly – especially if in intricate areas such as the grille or the lattice of an alloy wheel. So we evaluated whether the method of application reduced the chances of overspray, and deliberately applied and dried some of each solution to gauge how easy it was to shift.

Verdict

Gunk's Tar n Bug Remover proved to be the best all-rounder here – tackling tar almost as easily as dedicated tar removers did. Its budget price is yet another bonus, which is why it’s our Best Buy.

The Bug & Tar Remover from Halfords was also good value for the quantity supplied, and its performance equalled that of many branded formulations we tested. As a result, it earns our Recommended award here.

Completing the top three, ArmorAll’s Insect Remover doesn’t tackle tar, but worked well against other stains. And its clever nozzle cut down the risk of overspray.