No matter where you park your car, birds find innovative ways to stain your ride. In this blog, we’re going to talk about methods you can use to remove bird droppings safely and without damaging your paint.
Bird poop is mostly uric acid, and the pH level ranges from 3 to 4.5. This is very acidic. If the bird dropping is left unaddressed for long on the paint, it will eat through the clear coat and cause severe damage to the paint. Hence, it is better to avoid it in the first place or get rid of it as soon as possible. If your vehicle has some form of paint protection on it. It will be really easy to remove bird poop without damaging anything.
#link (avoid it in the first place to how to avoid bird poop)
Common types of stains
Before we can talk about how to remove the stain, we have to understand the type of stain. There are mainly two types one that appears chalky and faded, this type is the easiest to get rid of. Often this type of stain doesn’t require the use of specialized chemicals. The second type is the wrinkled stain. This type is relatively harder to remove and can also damage the paint if improperly removed.
Methods to safely remove bird droppings
Let’s talk about how you can about removing bird poop stains from your car and avoid damage.
Using a tissue or a wet wipe
If the stain is faded and chalky, you can use a tissue or a wet wipe, gently wipe the stain with minimal pressure and wipe in one motion. Do not scrub the surface or put too much pressure, this will cause scratches and damage the surface.
Using a damp cloth
You need to soak a cloth, preferably a microfiber with warm soapy water. Gently place the damp cloth over the stain and let it sit for a couple of seconds. By applying minimum pressure try to wipe, removing the stain. If the cloth doesn’t move easily, let it sit there for some more time and then try to wipe. If the bird poop is addressed soon, this method should work. If for some reason it doesn’t try the next step.
Using WD-40
WD-40 can be used for virtually anything, it isn’t surprising that it can also be used to remove bird droppings. Just spray WD-40 liberally onto the stain to loosen it. Then using a microfiber towel, gently wipe the surface.
Using a cleaning product
Saturate the stain using any mild household cleaning product. Products like glass cleaners, shampoos, or detergents ought to do the trick. Once it is saturated, use a damp microfiber to gently remove the stain.
Things to keep in mind
- Do the stain removal in shade, the sun will speed up the drying and make it difficult to remove.
- Never use harsh chemicals to remove the stains, they will do more harm than good. If the Products above don’t do the trick, contact your nearest certified detailer. They will be happy to assist you.
- Never scrub or apply too much pressure while removing the bird dropping. Always use minimal pressure and take off the stain in one smooth motion.
- Don’t wait. The longer you let the poop sit on the paint, the more damage it will do. Get rid of it as soon as possible.
- Prevention is better than cure, you can read about how to reduce the chances of getting bird dropping on your car here.
Conclusion
Getting bird poop on your car is very common. With the right methods, you can safely remove bird droppings from the paint. If your car is protected either with PPF or a premium coating, you don’t have to worry about bird droppings as much. As the coating will provide a chemical-resistant barrier that will protect the paint underneath.
