*** Please NOTE: We do not recommend you try this at home. We are not responsible for any damage done to your vehicle, please consult a professional ***
Are you one of those lucky people that no matter what, every time you wash your car, within minutes, the birds have left a not so lovely gift for you? It’s like the birds in the sky seem to have an innate knowledge and use your vehicle for “target practice”, like they see a perfectly clean car and think, “I’d better do something about that.”
When your car get hits with bird poop, it can be a frustrating experience. But instead of getting mad, it’s better to take action instead. Bird poop can have lasting damage on a paint job so instead of shaking your fist at the sky, get moving and clean that #@&% up!
Bird droppings contain uric acid, which will break down a car’s paint topcoat if it’s left for too long. Once this begins to happen, the paint underneath will begin to dissolve and things like exposure to the sun will speed up the process and damage will spread like the disease.
How to remove bird poop from the car with no damage to paint?
To remove fresh bird poop, use a damp microfiber towel or dampened the paper towel and gently clean the affected area. Sorry to be graphic, but the “deposit” might contain materials that can scratch or further damage your car, so don’t rub the spot with force. If the poop has dried, use warm water with a mild, paint-friendly soap and give it a moment to soften and dissolve before gently wiping it away.
If you’ve gotten to the problem too late and notice that the paint has been affected, you can give yourself a moment to be angry. But then it’s time to take a few deep breaths and start fixing the problem.
In this case, the bird poop will have eaten through the top layer of paint, exposing the layer below. The first thing you’ll want to do after you’ve removed the droppings is gently polish the spot. If the damage is small — somewhere under 1.5 inches in diameter, you can use a high-quality polisher to get started.
Once you’ve applied the polisher to the damage and the surrounding area (stay focused on the immediate spot), follow up with sandpaper. Use a 1,000 or 2,000 grit sandpaper and again, don’t go crazy. It’s important not to take too much off, sand just enough so that the surface is completely smooth. You will do even more damage if you take too much off.
The truth is, the best defence against birds and their “output” is preventative. If you can park underground, that’s obviously the best. Otherwise, take a look at your surroundings when you park. Are you under a tree or a wire that puts you at risk? If the birds can’t be avoided, think about buying a tarp or a cover. Frequent waxing also helps protect your car’s paint job.
Basically, birds have to live and birds have to eat, and they are going to do whatever they want to do. So take care to live in harmony with them, and if they decide that your vehicle is going to be the place where they deposit their droppings, all you can do is laugh and get cleaning!
If the damage is significant, consider bringing it into Grandcity Vancouver Autobody Shop, we will help restore your car’s paint job back to pristine.