How to safely remove a dried bird dropping

Sealant said:
The million dollar question is what should you do with the used towel?
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Since I am not 'rubbing', but blotting/lifting instead, I use older and cheaper MFs for this purpose. Just wash em' when you're done...IMO
 
This is a great write up, only wish I saw it yesterday morning before cleaning some off of my car! Amazing how fast bird droppings can etch the paint of a freshly sealed car...
 
jcedorjr said:
This is a great write up, only wish I saw it yesterday morning before cleaning some off of my car! Amazing how fast bird droppings can etch the paint of a freshly sealed car...
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Less than 10 minutes.

If your car's paint is important to you, then always keep some type of spray detailer and some microfiber towels in a zip-lock baggie, (to keep them clean) behind the seat, in the trunk etc. and if you discover a bird dropping on your car after coming out of a store, or a restaurant, etc., remove it quickly.


:xyxthumbs:
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:

If you have a completely dried bird dropping on your car's finish, and you DON'T have access to a water hose with free flowing water, then instead of wiping it off with a spray detailer or worse, scrubbing it off, do this instead,
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Thanks for the tip. Just got a question. What if I found bird droppings at my home and I have access to free flowing water. What kind of technique and products should I be using to clean it off?
 
matryx said:
Thanks for the tip.

Just got a question. What if I found bird droppings at my home and I have access to free flowing water.

What kind of technique and products should I be using to clean it off?
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Blast that bird bomb with a strong spray of water!


Get as much off as possible with the force of water, that way you've removed the gross bird poo without having to touch it.

If any thing remains you can keep getting it wet with water until you can wash it off and then wash the panel or the entire car.

After you dry the car inspect for either a Type I or Type II Bird Dropping Etchings.


Two Types of Bird Dropping Etchings



Good question...



:)
 
I pretty much use the same method except I don't use a towel to remove it.
After soaking it I get a spray bottle with warm water , set the nozzle to stream, I spray in a way that I get it to move towards the nearest edge them pickup what little is left over.
Works like a charm.
 
If we are going to use a spray bottle (instead of water from a hose), would it matter if the liquid is a quick detailer spray, or could it be just water? What would the advantages of a detailer spray be (my current bottle of Meguiars Quick Detailer spray is dwindling down, and I'm wondering when I use it if I would be just as well off, with tap water)?
 
sshazam said:
Does it matter if you use a spray lube or detailer ?
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prr said:
If we are going to use a spray bottle (instead of water from a hose), would it matter if the liquid is a quick detailer spray, or could it be just water?

What would the advantages of a detailer spray be (my current bottle of Meguiars Quick Detailer spray is dwindling down, and I'm wondering when I use it if I would be just as well off, with tap water)?
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The idea was to use something that added more lubrication than just water but yeah just water.

The big picture is to wet the dried bird dropping to re-liquefy it to make it safer to remove and avoid any scratching of the paint.


:)
 
Since the main problem with regard to paint etching is the acid, I suspect it would be far better to treat the area with a strong solution of baking soda to neutralize the acid. I'm not sure that detailing spray can neutralize acid, only dilute it.

It's too bad that there still isn't a car care product that can stand up to bird droppings. I've tried several products that withered against this challenge.

A few days ago, I was on the ferry crossing the James River on my way to Williamsburg when the sea gulls riding the wind currents let my poor Ranger have it. I was out there within a couple minutes wiping my hood down (didn't know about the potential for scratching) and I could see where the paint had begun to etch. That stuff ate right through four layers of Collinite 476S.

Life just ain't fair.
 
emchen said:
Hi Mike,

Can you comment on this method to remove type I bird poop etching?

https://youtu.be/guk5m6lcGRc
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Looks like it worked and after doing the Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion they appeared to stay around 160 degrees.

I have a section on destructive paint polishing in my how-to book on page 74

The Complete Guide to a Show Car Shine

300_2_book.jpg


And the maximum safe range stated in the book is 160 to 180. Of course lower is ALWAYS better then higher temps.



One thing for sure... when using a real Heat Gun on paint, (not a hair dryer), if you make a mistake and melt or morph the paint then you're looking at a new paint job.

Use this method at your own risk.


:)
 
Mike Phillips said:
Less than 10 minutes.

If your car's paint is important to you, then always keep some type of spray detailer and some microfiber towels in a zip-lock baggie, (to keep them clean) behind the seat, in the trunk etc. and if you discover a bird dropping on your car after coming out of a store, or a restaurant, etc., remove it quickly.


:xyxthumbs:
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I just had 4 big turds on my hood they may have been there all night idk. You think they etched the paint? It's been below freezing since last night. I wonder if the acid is as bad when it's frozen
 
I have a neighbor, a older lady, who uses window cleaner and a nylon bristled brush to remove bird droppings from her vehicles.
 
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