“How to remove old bird poop stains from a car”. It’s amusing in some senses because we identify with the scenario, nodding and smiling as we sympathise with the victim. But it is also extremely annoying. What’s more, bird poop is corrosive and can cause real problems if left for any length of time. In fact, even if left for as little as 48 hours it can leave an unsightly stain. The acidity in the stuff can etch into the paint, right down to the metal. To add to the problem, some birds eat small bits of gravel to help them digest their food. When you wipe it off, there’s a good chance you’ll scratch the paint!
How to remove bird poop etching from car?
If you’ve Googled this – possibly close to tears – you are not alone. As mentioned above, the best thing is to wash it off as soon as possible, preferably while it’s wet. But that isn’t always an option. When the damage is done, and perhaps T Cut isn’t the answer, you could try lightly sanding the area with a 3000 grit wet/dry sandpaper, which levels the surrounding area to match the damaged section. There is a range of products that are recommended, such as Meguair’s Scratch X, which can help to restore the paint. Unfortunately, however, if the damage is too severe or the patch too large, then a respray may be the only answer.
But be ready for a drawn-out procedure if you decide to take on the task yourself!
It could go something like this:
- To save the remaining paintwork, mask the area surrounding the stain.
- Using a “clay bar” (also called detailer’s clay, a resin compound similar to 5000 grit sandpaper) and a lubricant (this is crucial if you don’t want to do more damage!) remove residue
- Apply something like Meguair’s Ultimate Compound by hand using a foam applicator.
- Don’t want to pierce through to the metal, so repeat three or four times and stop if the etching is still visible.
- Apply a correction compound to a larger area by hand or with a Dual Action polisher to blend it in.
- Apply a good layer of wax
T Cut bird poop remover?
Millions of car owners across the world will be familiar with the benefits of T Cut. It’s great for getting rid of those little scratches and scrapes that happen to most cars from time to time. But how many people actually know how it works? T Cut is an abrasive. When you rub it onto the paintwork you are actually removing a thin layer of paint – in effect, you are lowering the surface of the paint around the scratch until they are the same level.
Additionally, it has strong cleaning agents that remove old wax, polish, and imperfections.
T Cut might be acceptable depending on the quantity of bird poop you have and the harm it has caused. Apply sparingly and move in tiny circles until the imperfection vanishes.
It goes without saying that the longer the poop is left, the more harm it will cause. T Cut might not work in situations where the acidity is so intense that it creates a shallow dip in the surface.
It is not advisable to use T Cut to eliminate the “deposit” itself. The car must first be cleaned, and then T Cut must be applied to provide an overall finish.
Keep in mind:
- Keep your hands off glass and plastic, and clean up spills right away.
- If at all possible, avoid using T Cut in direct sunlight or extremely hot weather.
- T Cut removes layers of paint. Use sparingly or as a last resort.
FAQ
How do you get rid of bird poop damage?
Can bird poop permanently damage car paint?
How do I get old bird poop etching off my car?