How to safely remove a dried bird dropping

[Flash Gordon]

Re: How to safely remove a dried bird dropping

This is a great article

The only thing I would ad is to be sure and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Bird poo carries all kinds of infectious deseases. Histoplamosis, Cryptococcosis and Psittacosis just to name a few

Sorry guys restarting the thread again. Can SwirX be used for bird dropping etching? I mean, if etching can be removed by 3-4 applications of ScratchX, using SwirlX 6-7 times can remove it right? Another procedure I thought of is claying, SwirlX and DC polish. Is this okay? The reason being I do not have ScratchX.

It certainally wouldn't hurt to try

[thomas_ccc]

Re: How to safely remove a dried bird dropping

Hey guys,

I have to ask my question from a few posts above once again because my sister now has a nice BMW E46 and she lets me drive around in the car whenever I go visit her but she never takes care of the car in any way.
There were bird droppings all over the car that I simply couldn't get off. I was so frustrated I even sprayed some Meguiar's All Wheel Cleaner on the droppings but not even that helped me out too much. The UQD didn't do anything.
Now maybe I can get my sister to get the worst off right when she sees it if you could recommend any type of disposable towels that she could use. Maybe glass cleaning wipes or something?
And also: if the dropping is seriously dried and UQD doesn't help at all, what would you put on there? Dish washing soap?
Just so it gets mentioned: I let the product soak in for over ten minutes.


Thanks
Thomas

[OldSchoolDude]

Re: How to safely remove a dried bird dropping

I take a sponge using warm water.
Wet the sponge real good and then put the sponge over the dropping, let it set for a few, it breaks it down which makes it very easy to remove.

[yfwong]

Re: How to safely remove a dried bird dropping

Thanks for sharing this great article and explanation on why we must avoid wiping on the paint due to fine stone eaten by the bird.

[davethedetailer]

Re: How to safely remove a dried bird dropping

why waste time and product just use a good brand of car wash soap with hot water and a clean wash mit then a detailers final spray

[davethedetailer]

Re: How to safely remove a dried bird dropping

well if its deep use 2000 sand paper sand area buff with a polishing compound

[LoveBlackPaint]

Re: How to safely remove a dried bird dropping

Thats exactly how I do it to Mike, works very well.

Kevin

I keep the supplies needed in the truck of my car just in case I get a dropping.

How to safely remove a dried bird dropping

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,

• Take a clean microfiber polishing cloth, fold it four ways to create a thick, plush wiping cloth.

• Next, spray one side with your favorite spray detailer, the idea is to hyper-lubricate the entire face of one side.

• Next place it onto the dried bird dropping.

• Wet the cloth with water until the entire cloth is saturated but not to the point where water is running down the hood. The idea is to have plenty of water present to soak into the dried bird dropping.

• Let the wet cloth stand on the dried bird dropping for 5-10 minutes.

• Now, carefully enclose the wet-microfiber around the bird dropping using your hand and fingers , you're trying to carefully bunch-up the microfiber and then LIFT the bird dropping off the paint. Don't simply wipe the bird dropping over the paint.

Simulated bird dropping that has landed on the middle of the hood. In the real world, bird droppings contain Uric Acid and if not removed in a very short period of time they can actually eat through a coating of wax or paint sealant and etch or eat into the paint.




Simulated bird dropping using Meguiar's M205 with a little Finishing Glaze mixed on top for visual effect. Note, because the focus of this how-to article is on technique, we did not let the polishes dry as that's not a good practice but we think you'll get the idea.




Mist on a wet or heavy application of your favorite spray detailer detailer to hyper-lubricate one folded side.




Gently place the wet side of the microfiber onto the bird dropping.



Now add water to saturate your microfiber but don't add so much that you have water running off the hood. Allow 5-10 minutes to pass so the water can soak into the dried bird dropping in an effort to re-liquefy to make it soft so as to reduce the potential of instilling any swirls and scratches from dried bird dropping being rubbed against the paint.




Now carefully use your hand to scrunch or bunch up the microfiber around the now liquefied bird dropping and then lift the bird dropping up and off the paint. Don't simply wipe the bird dropping over the paint.







Give the area a final wipe using a new, clean fresh microfiber polishing towel using your favorite spray detailer.




Bird Dropping Etchings
If you notice any etching in the paint left by the bird dropping you'll need to use a compound, paint cleaner or swirl mark remover by hand or machine to carefully remove the etching and then afterwards polish the paint to a high gloss and re-apply your favorite wax or paint sealant.


Products shown or mentioned
Quik Detailer
Ultimate Compound
Clear Coat Safe Rubbing Compound
Clear Coat Safe Polishing Compound
SwirlX
ScratchX
Ultimate Wipe Detailing Cloth

[Honda Civic Guy]

Re: How to safely remove a dried bird dropping

Haha, I admit I got a chuckle out of the simulated bird s**t in the demonstration, lol.

Thanks for the tips, Mike. My brand new car has been nailed THREE times since I bought it under two weeks ago. I'm thinking my shiny black car must look like a perfect, distinct target from the air!

[avalencia]

Re: How to safely remove a dried bird dropping

I am new to detailing and paint care. The last time this happened (Before I knew MOL existed) I handled it the wrong way. I tried to clean up dried bird poop by rubbing it off with a MF and Quik Detailer. That mistake created scratches that I hope to correct soon. Yesterday I noticed that I have dried bird dropping on my trunk and I used this method to remove it. I didn't have Quik Detailer in my car, so I used Gold class shampoo in it's place and it worked like magic. Thanks to MOL for this tip.

[casper7]

Re: How to safely remove a dried bird dropping

This is great advice. Thanks for sharing. I get bird poop on my black truck occasionally and I use this method and get the poop off as soon as I see it. I have to park fairly close to a tree at home so the truck frequently gets pooped on a time or two, therefore, I check it daily and so it doesn't sit on there too long but the Texas heat tends to bake it I suppose. I noticed today that there are some small stains where the poop has been removed. I just had my truck repainted 6 weeks ago so not sure what I can use on it at this point to remove the stains. Any help is most appreciated.

[OneMan]

Re: How to safely remove a dried bird dropping

Is this technique safe to do on a hot surface since quick detailer for example advises to use on a cool surface?

[Nick Winn]

Re: How to safely remove a dried bird dropping

Is this technique safe to do on a hot surface since quick detailer for example advises to use on a cool surface?

Cool surface is always recommended.