Credit: Getty imagesWhether you park on the street, in a public garage, or in a parking lot, there's always a chance you'll return to your car and find an unwelcome surprise. While a parking ticket is frustrating, bird droppings can be even worse. What looks like a minor nuisance can quickly damage your vehicle's clear coat, leaving behind permanent etching if it's not removed promptly.Whether you're dealing with fresh bird droppings or want to know how to protect your car before damage occurs, we spoke with three professional detailers to learn the safest way to remove bird droppings and prevent lasting harm.Meet Our ExpertDustin Wharton, owner of Official California Detailing in San DiegoSian Davies, detailer at Auto Finesse in the United Kingdom and across the worldDavid Peters, managing director at The Classic Car Company in LondonAdvertisementAdvertisementRelated: 7 Things to Never Leave in Your Car in the Summer, From Medications to PlantsHow Do Bird Droppings Damage a Car?Bird droppings are more than unsightly—they can cause lasting damage to your car's paint job. "Most people think bird droppings damage paint because they're acidic, but that's really only part of it," says Dustin Wharton, the owner of Official California Detailing. "Your vehicle's clear coat is essentially a polyurethane-based plastic. Bird droppings contain digestive enzymes, uric acid salts, and other waste that can begin breaking down that surface when they're left sitting there." Add heat from the sun, and it gets even worse, he says. "The clear coat softens slightly, the droppings dry out and shrink, and that's when you start seeing etching." How Quickly Can Damage Occur?How quickly bird droppings can damage your car depends on the temperature, the condition of the clear coat, and how long they sit on the surface. Regardless of the circumstances, Wharton recommends removing them immediately. "Bird droppings are one of the few things I consider an emergency on a vehicle," he says. "The sooner they're removed, the better."Heat is the biggest factor. In cooler weather, bird droppings may take up to a day to stain the paint. On a hot summer day, though, Wharton says he has seen bird droppings leave etching in just a few hours. Older or neglected paint is also more vulnerable because it lacks the protection of a well-maintained finish. "My advice is simple," he says. "If you notice one, don't wait until your next wash. Take care of it when you can."How to Safely Remove the DroppingsFirst, move the car out of the sunlight and act quickly to remove the droppings. Then, Sian Davies at Auto Finesse says to spray the droppings with a quality detail spray or citrus grime remover and let it sit for a minute or two to soften the contamination. "For stubborn or dried-on deposits, placing a damp microfiber cloth over the area for a few minutes works well," he says.AdvertisementAdvertisementThen, gently wipe away. "The key is to let liquid and products do the work and avoid elbow grease, as any aggressive rubbing will mar the paintwork," says David Peters of The Classic Car Company. Using a clean, plush microfiber cloth, lightly wipe in one direction with minimal pressure. Repeat if necessary. If any residue remains, apply more product and repeat the process rather than increasing the pressure. Rinse with a garden hose.What to Do if Your Car's Paint Is Already DamagedVery light etching often affects only the clear coat and can usually be corrected with a light hand polish, says Davies. For deeper etching, a polishing compound and pad may restore the finish. More severe damage may require machine polishing by an experienced detailer to level the surrounding clear coat. "In a lot of cases, a professional paint correction can dramatically improve it or remove it completely if it hasn't gone too deep," says Wharton.If the droppings have penetrated the paint itself, however, wet sanding or repainting may be necessary. "If the topcoat is what we call pickled, then there will only be so far that a detailer can go," says Peters. If a mark remains after the car has been properly cleaned, have it evaluated by a professional rather than attempting to buff it out yourself with abrasive products, which can cause further damage.How to Protect Your Car From Bird DroppingsNo product will make your paint completely bird-proof, but a protective coating can help minimize damage. "Whether it's a ceramic coating, a quality paint sealant, or even a good wax, having something between the bird droppings and your clear coat makes cleanup easier and gives you a little more time before damage starts," Wharton says. Whenever possible, park in a covered area away from trees and utility lines, where birds tend to perch.AdvertisementAdvertisementFor an added layer of protection, some paint protection films (PPF) are designed to self-heal minor etching when warmed by the sun. "I have this on my Cayenne, and I can confirm it does work and has saved me on multiple occasions," Davies says.Still, coatings aren't a substitute for prompt cleanup. "Ceramic coatings buy you time. They don't give you a free pass," Wharton says. "If you see bird droppings on your vehicle, it's still best to remove them as soon as possible."Mistakes to AvoidNever attempt to wipe away the bird droppings with a dry towel. "The biggest mistake is trying to wipe it off dry," Wharton says. "Paper towels, napkins, old shop rags—I've seen people use all of them, and they can easily scratch the paint." Another mistake, he says, is scrubbing harder because it won't come off. Usually that means it needs more lubrication or more time to soften. If you're having to force it, you're probably doing more harm than good.Read the original article on Martha Stewart
+72 others
