Disgusting Cleaning Task

Mark R · 08-10-2020, 03:35 PM

I took my ZL-1 out into the country over the past couple of weekends. Afterwards, I found at least 100 - 150 grasshoppers embedded in the radiators that make up the entire lower portion of the front end.

Note to self: Use the Novistretch front bra on summer drives like this.

I had the car detailed last November with the same problem, but they took off the entire front fascia to do the job. They said it was easier. Is there another way recommended? I'm thinking of using an extension on my air compressor nozzles and blowing them off.

az4783054 · 08-10-2020, 03:59 PM

I have a flexible under refrigerator extension for my shop vacuum. It works fine on bugs if you get to them before they're really baked on. I trimmed the end so it's slightly tapered.

https://www.amazon.com/vacuum-attach.../dp/b00d1mn0la

Amazon says this one is not currently available but it shouldn't be hard to find something similar ("vacuum extension wand")

What I have found that works for me is to wet the bugs down with WINDEX to make them more pliable, then through the grill with either a WINDEX soaked soft foam paint brush taped to the above or a small piece of soft foam stuffed into above and gently remove them. Blow out or vacuum the remains. Be careful of the aluminum fins, they bend easily.

Techdude99 · 08-10-2020, 03:59 PM

You can try high pressure water or air but the fins will bend under high pressure or while using a stiff bristle brush.

On other cars, I used this with coil cleaner or heavy duty degreaser. Some required removal of the bumper.

https://www.amazon.com/Malco-FST2-Fi...dp/B001EVJPFA/

Mark R · 08-10-2020, 04:02 PM

Thanks for the responses.

Vigilante375 · 08-10-2020, 04:03 PM

Wait until you find a bird.....

az4783054 · 08-10-2020, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Techdude99

You can try high pressure water or air but the fins will bend under high pressure or while using a stiff bristle brush.

On other cars, I used this with coil cleaner or heavy duty degreaser. Some required removal of the bumper.

https://www.amazon.com/Malco-FST2-Fi...dp/B001EVJPFA/

I have one of those comb tools, but the problem is they're meant for the older radiators with parallel fins. Many modern aluminum cores have small triangular shaped fins (lacking the correct tech term).

Smokin19 · 08-10-2020, 04:13 PM

I use a vacuum with a squirrel brush on the end and lightly go over the coils. Will get most of them if you don't wait too long.

Techdude99 · 08-10-2020, 04:31 PM

I'll do a little research.

Mark R · 08-10-2020, 05:33 PM

These bugs are crispy hard.

Blu Ray · 08-10-2020, 07:26 PM

TWG1 · 08-10-2020, 08:39 PM

Also, any tips on removing the protective screens on the lower side coolers? Seems that leaves and loose debris gets stuck between the heat exchangers and the screens that protect them. If I could just get the protective screens off...

CW3SF · 08-10-2020, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vigilante375

Wait until you find a bird.....

Been there and done that. It was nasty. Nothing left but legs, tail feathers and guts.

50MileSmile · 08-11-2020, 12:49 AM

Griot’s Garage has a really good spray product for removing bug jerky:
http://https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/bug+smudge+remover.do?sortby=ourPicks&from=Search.

Blue_6.2 · 08-11-2020, 03:43 AM

Some of those grasshoppers can be downright mean, so be careful.

08-10-2020, 03:35 PM	#1
Mark R Drives: 2018 ZL-1 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 948	Disgusting Cleaning Task I took my ZL-1 out into the country over the past couple of weekends. Afterwards, I found at least 100 - 150 grasshoppers embedded in the radiators that make up the entire lower portion of the front end. Note to self: Use the Novistretch front bra on summer drives like this. I had the car detailed last November with the same problem, but they took off the entire front fascia to do the job. They said it was easier. Is there another way recommended? I'm thinking of using an extension on my air compressor nozzles and blowing them off.

08-10-2020, 04:13 PM	#7
Smokin19 Drives: 19' ZL1 A10, w/pdr Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: S.W. ohio Posts: 1,551	I use a vacuum with a squirrel brush on the end and lightly go over the coils. Will get most of them if you don't wait too long. __________________ BTR Stg II cam w/ 38% fuel lobe, ARH 2" headers into 3" w/cats, AWE Touring, Kong X port, Weapon X triple ht exchangers, NW 103, Rotofab big gulp, DSX lowside, TCM tune, BMR Lockout, Mustang dyno 720 rwhp, 634 rwtq on 93 pump.

08-10-2020, 07:26 PM	#10
Blu Ray ALWAYS-N-BOOST Drives: 2021 ZLE A10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Alpine, NJ Posts: 2,376	__________________ 2012 1LS M6 Black-Sold 2013 2LT M6 BluRay- Sold 2015 1SS 1LE M6 Black-Sold 2021 ZLE A10 Riverside Blue - Awaiting Arrival 01/10

08-10-2020, 08:39 PM	#11
TWG1 TWG1 Drives: 2019 Camaro ZLE Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: PENSACOLA, FL Posts: 179	Also, any tips on removing the protective screens on the lower side coolers? Seems that leaves and loose debris gets stuck between the heat exchangers and the screens that protect them. If I could just get the protective screens off... __________________ 2019 ZLE M6 2019 ZL1 A10 (Sold) 1967 Jaguar XKE Series 1 Roadster 2021 F150 Powerboost (on order)

08-10-2020, 03:59 PM	#2
az4783054 Drives: SWXXZL1 Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: the corrupt purple state of az Posts: 150	I have a flexible under refrigerator extension for my shop vacuum. It works fine on bugs if you get to them before they're really baked on. I trimmed the end so it's slightly tapered. https://www.amazon.com/vacuum-attach.../dp/b00d1mn0la Amazon says this one is not currently available but it shouldn't be hard to find something similar ("vacuum extension wand") What I have found that works for me is to wet the bugs down with WINDEX to make them more pliable, then through the grill with either a WINDEX soaked soft foam paint brush taped to the above or a small piece of soft foam stuffed into above and gently remove them. Blow out or vacuum the remains. Be careful of the aluminum fins, they bend easily.

08-10-2020, 03:59 PM	#3
Techdude99 Drives: 2019 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: MS Posts: 142	You can try high pressure water or air but the fins will bend under high pressure or while using a stiff bristle brush. On other cars, I used this with coil cleaner or heavy duty degreaser. Some required removal of the bumper. https://www.amazon.com/Malco-FST2-Fi...dp/B001EVJPFA/

08-10-2020, 04:02 PM	#4
Mark R Drives: 2018 ZL-1 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 948	Thanks for the responses.

08-10-2020, 04:03 PM	#5
Vigilante375 Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,368	Wait until you find a bird.....

08-10-2020, 04:31 PM	#8
Techdude99 Drives: 2019 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: MS Posts: 142	I'll do a little research.

08-10-2020, 05:33 PM	#9
Mark R Drives: 2018 ZL-1 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 948	These bugs are crispy hard.

08-11-2020, 12:49 AM	#13
50MileSmile Drives: 2023 2SS, 2018 1SS 1LE, 1993 Z/28 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Midwest Posts: 819	Griot’s Garage has a really good spray product for removing bug jerky: http://https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/bug+smudge+remover.do?sortby=ourPicks&from=Search.

08-11-2020, 03:43 AM	#14
Blue_6.2 Banned Drives: 2019 1SS Convertible Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Oxford, NC Posts: 183	Some of those grasshoppers can be downright mean, so be careful.

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