What are these yellow (mustard looking) spots on my car?

It’s back and it’s better than ever. This year’s continual rains have brought an explosion of wildflowers. This year’s super bloom surpasses previous super blooms on an enormous scale with more blooms that will last longer than 2017’s epic display. From late winter through May, the blossoms will span across the coast and foothills, and by June and July, flowers will brighten the state’s highest mountains. Rain accumulation since July 1, 2018, around SLO county is between 17-23 inches to date. So with all of that rain bringing about a super bloom, how does spring affect your vehicle?

You may have noticed numerous yellow-gold (mustard looking) dots all over your car and windows. With the super bloom, they are everywhere! These dots are difficult to get off your car and windows; they seem to appear out of nowhere and dry hard almost instantly. A lot of people assume it is only pollen but that’s not the case, it is so much more.

So, what are those yellow-gold dots? Simply put, it’s bee poop. Yes, bees poop and you’ll find these yellow-gold dots on pretty much everything. These droppings are incredibly sticky and difficult to remove, even a regular scrub can leave them perfectly intact. They are often round and yellow or, if on a windshield, long and yellow. Also, plain water is no match for bee poop. Bees like to keep their hives clean, so they will hold it until they have flown well away from the hive to do their business. Winter workers wait until the air is warm enough for a relief flight which can take many weeks. The good news about these yellow spots, it is a sign that all is well with your local bee colony and nature is blooming.

In combination with bee pollen, we have an influx in our butterfly population. They too are getting their fill of pollen from the super bloom. Butterflies are attracted to the yellow reflector lights on the roadways, as well as on vehicles. Moths are more prone to come out at night and are attracted to headlights. Neither Moths or Butterflies poop. They only drink liquids and never eat solids, so they only pass liquid, but collisions with both cause the largest splats on your car. You may be astounded by the amount of splatter that can accumulate after just one ride. Some of these bugs tend to contain acidic substances which is why when left unwashed, these splatters can affect the paint. This causes an even bigger frustration, as the bugs dry out. They can be even more difficult to get off without chipping the paint.

Cleaning dried bug goo off your car requires a little more than just a quick car wash. For a job as sticky as pollen or as stubborn as splattered butterflies, our Exterior Protect Detail Service is a perfect solution for the job. When bug splatter is dried on your car, it’s difficult to remove. It is loaded with pollen and elements of honey. We use a Clay Bar to remove what regular washing cannot. It is designed to remove contaminants from the surface of your car’s paint, glass, fiberglass, and metal without damaging your car. Following your Exterior Protect Detail Service, we apply Meguiars Mirror Glaze Synthetic Sealant. The protective layer laid by the sealant will make it easier to remove bug splats in the future. The coating is so smooth, it allows moisture to bead and roll off the protected paint, making it easy to clean. It also visually eliminates fine scratches, creating a flawless finish that’s noticeably more vibrant and reflective. The sealant protects your car, keeping it happy and bug splatter resistant for six months. Clean car care not only makes your car look better but you’ll extend the life of your car’s paint. Visit any Sunset North Car Wash for an Exterior Protect Detail Service and protect your car from bee poop and spring bug splatter.