What is it that flies do [on cars]?

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Tue 30 Sep 2008 16:37
What is it that flies do [on cars]? - menu du jour
During the recent sunny weather, the flies in my neck of the woods have had a field day.
The little darlings sit on the car [only in the sun] and er.... excrete.
The stuff sets like concrete and unless you lurk with cloth at the ready it is the very whatsit to clean off.
Anyone know what they are doing [do we really want to know] and is there anything to prevent this mess.
Recent application of polish is helpful but being disabled I am unable to apply regular coats.
Any comments most welcome.
PS. Even going through a car wash does not remove all of "it".
screwtape

made vehicle non-specific

Edited by Pugugly on 30/09/2008 at 18:09

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Tue 30 Sep 2008 18:01
What is it that flies do [on cars]? - Roger Jones
Try Autoglym Active Insect Remover (or/and Intensive Tar Remover) to get the gunge off properly. Then, after the next polish, put on a couple of coats of Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection to make further removal of insects and their droppings that bit easier -- because it will be a barrier to penetration. Better still, buy a friend a beer or two to do it for you (applying and finishing EGP is not at all arduous; it's easy on and easy off, and the longer you leave it before polishing, the better it cures).

I'm sure there are similar products from other manufacturers and no doubt they are just as effective, but I happen to know the Autoglym range:

tinyurl.com/4wcotk
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Tue 30 Sep 2008 19:16
What is it that flies do [on cars]? - Tron
On day trips out involving any great distances, I carry a 1 litre pressure sprayer in my car.

In this a 20% cleaner and 80% solution mix of Halfords Advanced car wash and de ionised water.

This will and does take off any bugs and their 'mess' from windscreens, headlights, backs of wing mirrors and the number plate.

Just spray it on, leave for a few mins and simply wipe it off.

Works just as well on bird excrement and tree sap too but not so hot on removing tar...

I use a stronger mix of 40/60 and spray the car bumper to bumper, leave it to soak for an hour or so (but not in direct sunlight or on a hot day) before simply pressure washing it off and then chamois drying it.

No sponges, cloths etc., and their 'abrasive' cleaning needed.


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Tue 30 Sep 2008 21:18
What is it that flies do [on cars]? - Bill Payer
I think the flies are basically being sick - isn't that what they do on food?

To get rid of anything like this. including bird muck, a wet ktichen towel left for a minute or two will enable it to be easily removed.
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Tue 30 Sep 2008 21:42
What is it that flies do [on cars]? - Halmer
The little lovelies do the same on my window sills and have even done it on kitchen work surfaces if one has managed to sneak in at night.

Mr Muscle left to soak in for a minute or two sorts it.

Yuk!!!
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Wed 1 Oct 2008 08:07
What is it that flies do [on cars]? - L'escargot
Mr Muscle left to soak in for a minute or two sorts it.


What Mr Muscle? There are umpteen varieties in the cupboard under our kitchen sink.

Edited by L'escargot on 01/10/2008 at 08:08

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Wed 1 Oct 2008 15:49
What is it that flies do [on cars]? - jase1
I think the flies are basically being sick - isn't that what they do on
food?


Nah, it's coming out the other end -- flies constantly defecate.

I have a real problem with this on my DVD recorder of all things -- the flies can't get enough of it. Can't think why.

Obviously I only get one or two flies in the living room at any one time, but for some reason they leave little black spots all over this one appliance. They leave everything else alone.
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Wed 1 Oct 2008 08:05
What is it that flies do [on cars]? - L'escargot
Try ........ Intensive Tar Remover


Does the container say what the active ingredient is? I may already have some of it in my garage.
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Wed 1 Oct 2008 09:33
What is it that flies do [on cars]? - Halmer
The yellow Mr Muscle kitchen cleaner.
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Wed 1 Oct 2008 13:54
What is it that flies do [on cars]? - Robin
I aksed this very same question here in 2004 (just looked it up) but related to my house and not car. I found out that the fly regurgitates partly digested food, probably to mix it with more saliva.
Nice
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Wed 1 Oct 2008 14:02
What is it that flies do [on cars]? - FotheringtonThomas
The little darlings sit on the car [only in the sun] and er.... excrete.


Flies? Minor problem - just don't park your car near beehives, 'cos the bees'll bomb it in passing with lots of little round yellowy splashes of it, the little buzzers.
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Wed 1 Oct 2008 14:06
What is it that flies do [on cars]? - Tron
>Bee's & yellow stuff!

FT I always wondered what that was!
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