WAUKESHA, Wis. — Cicadas are beginning to emerge in Wisconsin and they can leave behind damage if your car is not properly taken care of.
Nathan Krueger is the president of Ziebart in Waukesha. The company offers a variety of car detailing, cleaning and protection services.
“I would say based on the sheer volume that we are going to see, and the size of the bug, they are going to create some problems on front ends,” said Krueger.
The problem with cicadas is they’re highly acidic compared to other bugs.
“When they impact the front of your car, that acid basically sits on top of your clear coat,” said Krueger. “Left untreated they can cause etching, which is permanent damage to your clear coat that shows up as a little uneven stain.”
Krueger recommends washing your car once a week during cicada season. He said clearing bug residue before it dries, is key.
He said you can also get a protective top layer added on the outside of your vehicle.
“That’s going to give you protection from those bugs as well because it’s a layer on top of your clear coat that enhances the shine that protects it from chemicals, road debris, minor scratching. It really does a great job,” Krueger said. “It’s like armor for your car.”
It’s also a good idea to periodically check your radiator grille, engine and air filters to make sure they’re clear of bugs.