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Writer's pictureJames Robertson Jr

Safe ways to remove bird poo from your car

Bird poo not only makes your car look ugly, but it also can do some considerable damage to your vehicle’s paint and clear coat. Bird droppings are high in uric acid and have a pH level of 3, making them nearly as acidic as lemon juice. Left on a car, bird poop can etch into the paint and corrode. Two Types of Bird Poop Stains How you go about washing your car will depend on the type of bird poop stain and how long it’s been on your vehicle. The two most common types of bird poop are: Topical Bird Poop Stains – Easy to clean These topical bird poop stains appear chalky and faded, with little to no etching, and can be cleaned easier than wrinkled bird droppings. Fractured or Wrinkled Bird Poop Stains – Difficult to clean Wrinkled or fractured bird poop stains can be hard to clean. These may have hard particles, such as seeds or grains, that can scratch car paint if cleaned improperly. These may require extra care. How to Remove Bird Droppings Without Hurting Your Car Cleaning bird poop off your vehicle should be done ASAP, otherwise, you may have a stain etched in your car’s paint. Once that happens, the only fix is to visit a body shop for repairs, replacements, or repainting. Here are our 11 tips to ensure you’re washing away bird droppings the right way: 11. Sponge or Microfiber Cloth If the bird crud is wet, wiping it up with a moist, soft towel or sponge, then rinsing with a hose, might be all that’s necessary. If the bird poop has already dried, you may need to try another solution (below). 10. Seltzer Water Carbonated club soda or seltzer water can be used to remove bird poop from your car’s windows. The carbonation eats away the uric acid, allowing you to more easily wipe the mess away. (DO NOT use sugary sodas, like cola, as these can cause more damage to your vehicle.) Pour seltzer water on the bird poop and let it sit for 60 seconds. Wipe away with a moist cloth or sponge. 9. Detailer Spray You may need the “big guns” to remove stubborn stains. A special detailer spray or cleaning product can be applied to the area and washed off with a moist rag or a spritz of a hose. Carefully follow the instructions of any detailer spray or product you choose to use. 8. Baking Soda As far as homemade bird poop removers for cars, baking soda is king. In a spray bottle, mix two to three tablespoons of baking soda with a drop of dish soap and fill with hot water. Spray the mixture on any bird poop stain and allow it to saturate the area for a few minutes. Rinse with a hose – rubbing baking soda with a sponge or cloth can leave microscopic scratches on your vehicle – before wiping clean with a microfiber cloth. 7. WD-40 Did you know WD-40 can be used to wash dry bird poop off your car? It works well and is virtually harmless, so there’s no fear of damaging your car. Oh – and it’s really easy: Just spray the area with WD-40, let it loosen the bird droppings for 60 seconds, then rinse or wipe clean. Using WD-40 is also super-effective at cleaning bird poop off your car in the winter! 6. Unscented Liquid Laundry Soap Liquid laundry detergent is particularly useful for cleaning bird poop off fabric or upholstery – for instance, if you left your Honda CR-V sunroof open, and a bird happened to mistake your Honda SUV for a porta-potty.

  • First, while wearing gloves, use a plastic scraper to remove any bird poop. The area should look like chalk when you’re done.

  • Next, apply a drop of laundry detergent to the area. (Do not overuse! Apply one drop at a time to ensure you’re not creating a bigger mess.)

  • Take a damp cloth and pat the area until saturated. Then gently scrub into a light, frothy lather.

  • Rinse and wring out the cloth and re-saturate the area, scrubbing gently until the soap is no longer visible.

  • Let air-dry, with the windows down, inside a garage or a void of pigeons or other aviary poop-machines.

5. Cloth Soaked in Cleaning Product Soak a soft cloth or sponge in a vehicle-safe cleaner, then put the wet cloth directly on top of any dry bird poop. Let the cloth saturate the bird dropping for 15 minutes before checking and wiping clean. If you need assistance choosing the correct cleaning solution, contact your nearest auto body shop or car dealer for advice. 4. Bird Poop Car Wipes Easily wash bird poop off your car without leaving streaks using an automotive cleaning wipe that’s specifically designed to remove bird droppings. Products like Drop Wipes are simple, convenient, on-the-go solutions to get rid of those pesky stains wherever and whenever they’re needed. 3. Clean in the Shade Because bird poop is mostly undigested waste, it may contain seeds, grains, and other small contaminants that can easily leave microscopic scratches on your car. The sun (and heat in general) makes your vehicle’s exterior softer, meaning it’s more susceptible to those types of scratches. Just like washing your car at home, it’s best to clean bird poop in the shade to reduce those risks. 2. Wash & Wax Once you’re able to remove the bird poop from your car’s paint, you’ll want to give it a thorough wash and reapply wax or protectant. A lightly abrasive car polish, applied before any wax, can bring new life to any dull areas by exposing the deeper layers of paint. Always research the best car polishes and wax products for your vehicle. Ask our Kuni Honda experts if you need help. 1. Auto Body Repair If you can’t remove bird poop etchings from your car, it may be time to visit an auto body shop. Extreme cases of bird poop damaging a car will need to be resolved with auto detailing or paint restoration, which should be performed by a professional.






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