Thread: Surely one of you 32 owners knows a way...

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...to clean out the bugs plastered in the radiator and splash pan below the radiator? Does anyone make a brush or a tool that can fit between the grill bars and dig the bugs out? Compressed air got a "few" bugs out, but it didn't do the best job. I know they make screens to prevent this, but I've already got a gazillion bugs in there I need to get out without tearing the car apart!

A comfortable, low seat, a couple beers, and a dental pick. Good time to straighten any errant fins as well.

I get a package of those wooden "shish-ka-bob" sticks at the grocery store that are sharp on one end. They dont scratch the painted radiator fins. Then it's the stool and a cold beer, just like the rest said. You might invest in a bug screen, they work pretty good.

Mick

Those are NOT BUGS, they are BADGES OF HONOR, and proof you actually drive your rod.

You should live in Florida. We have bugs that are big enough to hurt when they hit you in the head at 70 mph. and lets not talk about Lovebugs.

Don

Look at it this way, the bugs "choose" your new radiator/grill for a "free ride".

In my book its not a Hot Rod, "until its driven". Stone chips, bugs, road grime, brake dust, etc are just part of the experience.

Someone makes a comb type device just for cleaning radiators. I'll research it and report back if I find it. I think my dad even had one laying around at one time.

Here ya go. I found it. Eastwoods has em. Here's a link. http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...mType=CATEGORY

Don, What's wrong with the Love Bugs?? After all you get 2 for 1. I thought everybody likes a good deal.

The bugs in my roadsters radiator usually melt - well, sorta - out or float off when I wash the car.

Driving the car in the rain will do it.
Specially in one of our desert cloudburst thunderstorms.

When you get to the carshow, tell everyone it was clean when you left home....

Originally Posted by lurker mick

I get a package of those wooden "shish-ka-bob" sticks at the grocery store that are sharp on one end. They dont scratch the painted radiator fins. Then it's the stool and a cold beer, just like the rest said. You might invest in a bug screen, they work pretty good.

Mick

Mick, are the radiator grille screens plastic mesh or metal?

Sweetie's got a new sewing machine and it doesn't look like it would be hard to make one from plastic mesh.

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Those are NOT BUGS, they are BADGES OF HONOR, and proof you actually drive your rod.

You should live in Florida. We have bugs that are big enough to hurt when they hit you in the head at 70 mph. and lets not talk about Lovebugs.

Don

Yeah some years are worse than others here, but they can arrive literally in waves of black clouds usually on the interstates. They are especially attracted to motorcycles and open roadsters. Ain't nothin' like seeing an attractive blond with a couple hundred love bugs smashed all over her and in her hair.

Kitz

Jay, here is a shot I just took out in the garage of the one I have on the rpu.
It is from Wardlow, but could be made fairly easy by someone handy on a sewing machine.

It is made from plastic mesh, some naugahyde type material for edging and 4 spring hooks to hold it to the grille bars.

Hope this helps.

Mick

When they are thoroughly fried from radiator heat, wash them out from the inside out with a garden hose and a nozzle. Have a catch pan underneath, heat it up and call it road kill stew!!!!!

I dont have to worry about it, my spider takes care of them, just ask denny he has proof she exists.

I hit a huge swarm of those "love bugs" (may flies?) going through Mississippi about 7-8 years ago. It went on for miles. I was driving a '99 Mustang, and I never got the residue off the vinly bra I had on the front bumper/fenders. Every gas station was sold out of scrubbers, and we literally couldn't see. They came out of the radiator with a high-pressure hose from the backside, though.