We’re talking about bird poop! While it may seem funny at first, bird droppings on your paint and windshield are no joke. So we’re here to let you know why it’s bad, the best ways to get rid of it, and what to do if you have damage (hint: come see us). So grab a nice rag and a gentle cleanser, and let’s go!
GROSS AND HARMFUL
Without getting too far into the disgusting parts, save it to say that bird waste is a combination of stuff that is highly acidic. If you’re really interested in a deep dive on bird poop check out this article. This acidity is the reason that bird poop, when left unattended, can damage your vehicle’s exterior. When left without cleaning, this mix burns through the layers of protection that keep your vehicle looking good. Even worse, warm weather expedites the effects of this acidic goop. So under the right conditions, these disgusting droppings can harm your exterior in just a few minutes.
It’s not just the clear coat, wax, and paint that are in danger from these bird bombs, either. If left alone, or cleaned incorrectly, bird droppings on your vehicle’s glass can etch or even scratch the surface.
CLEAN THE RIGHT WAY
Okay, so we’ve established that bird poop is both disgusting and bad news for your paint. So get rid of it! But let’s make sure it’s done correctly. Here are tips to correctly cleaning bird waste, and
not doing more harm to your car in the process:
- REMOVE BIRD POOP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. As we said, in the right conditions bird poop can harm your exterior in minutes. Get rid of it as soon as you can
- USE THE RIGHT CLEANERS. Be sure to use a microfiber cloth and a proper cleaning solution. By using a regular cloth or paper towels, you risk further etches and scratches. There are even bird poop-specific cleaning solutions and wipes that you can buy.
- NO WIPERS. Try to avoid using your windshield wipers to clean bird waste. Wipers can actually spread the bad stuff in bird poop around causing more scratches and stains. Again, be sure to use microfiber cloths and proper cleaning solutions to avoid more scratches.
- AVOID IT ALTOGETHER. The easiest way to clean bird poop is to not have any! Parking in garages or using car covers is the best way to protect your car from the nasty effects of bird waste.
If you do a little research, you’re bound to find some “home remedies” to clean bird poop. Some suggest things like WD-40, baking soda solutions, or even unscented laundry detergent as cleaners. While some of these may work, it’s best to simply invest in a good car-friendly cloth and cleaner to get the best results.
As always, if you have questions or if you do end up with bird poop damage, we can help. Come into any of our six locations across Nebraska for all of your information or any collision, glass, and dent repair needs, or contact us.