Soft radiator & A/C condenser bug cleaning brush??

[raueda1]

Has anybody found an extremely long, thin brush suitable for dislodging bugs from between the radiator and A/C condenser?  Some bugs make it past the condenser and are then smashed onto the radiator.  The clearance is very tight.  My thought is to dislodge the bugs with the brush and then blast them out with an air or water stream.  The small brushes I've seen are too stiff and I'm concerned with bending the radiator fins. 

This is actually a pretty big problem for me.  The last time I did it the radiator had been removed for other reasons. The number of bugs was truly astonishing.  After summer road trips history is repeating itself.   There has to be a better way.  Ideas welcome!  Thanks and cheers,

[daantjie]

Likely you already know this but honestly I think the only way to clean the radiator properly and safely would be to remove it and clean it whilst off the car.  It's a pain for sure but you'll never be happy with the results by trying to snake a tool of sorts into the clearance.
Unless there is a member with a fancy workaround of course

[rumb]

Here's an idea:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/72-78cm-Flexible-Bendable-Radiator-Brush-Long-Reach-Bristle-Fan-Duster-Cleaner/352493560287

[raueda1]

Here's an idea:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/72-78cm-Flexible-Bendable-Radiator-Brush-Long-Reach-Bristle-Fan-Duster-Cleaner/352493560287

Thanks, but.....   I considered such brushes and searched widely.  Trouble is, they all seem to be too thick or stiff.  This one looks to be at least 2.5cm wide, whereas the clearance is about 7mm.  Sadly I'm inclined to agree with Daniel.  This may be a winter project.  I'm due for a coolant change anyway.  Cheers,

[Mattr]

Are they too well lodged in there for a pressure washer to get them out? We did that on our DD after a long road trip, and the radiator wasn't damaged at all.

[raueda1]

Are they too well lodged in there for a pressure washer to get them out? We did that on our DD after a long road trip, and the radiator wasn't damaged at all.

Probably.  I'll post pix when I get the chance.  There's a hive's worth of wasps, giant grasshoppers and more. The trouble is, I have a morbid fear of bending the radiator fins.  I went through all this before and bent fins are a horror.  It seems like they bend just by looking at them.  I'd ignore it except that my past experience indicated that the bug-reduced air flow did indeed effect the cooling, albeit to a small extent.  It might be possible to dislodge some with a hose from the fan side but access is impossible limited due to fan and radiator shroud.  Car will be going into the garage soon for winter fixes and upgrades.  Stay tuned.....

[ptashek]

What I found working well on my 450 is using industrial grade window cleaner (spray foam type), or bug remover spray, to soak the radiator first. A good one will make short work of bug remains softening them and releasing, without damaging the surface itself. Then jet wash with water and blow out with compressed air. It's messy, but works.

Since you're not scrubbing the fins should be fine, unless already corroded.