How To Remove Bird Poop Stain On Car Paint? 8 Easy Ways

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Birds’ poop is a universal issue faced by owners of cars. No one wants their car to be looked ugly and unclean. All owners try to keep their cars shining and stainless. Despite their utmost care, their cars get accidentally stained by birds’ poop. So that’s why is everyone looking for how to remove bird poop stain on car paint?

However, many strategies exist to remove bird droppings on car paint. By following the step-by-step process, the car owners can easily remove the bird poop stain off of the car paint.

Effects of Bird Poop on Car Paints:

Bird poop is a high-alert problem in this modern world where cars are everywhere. People have questions related to bird droppings effects. There are many questions regarding bird poop effects on cars that crosses everyone’s mind at least once. We have tried to answer all the queries as much as we can.

Bird poop would not have been considered disastrous if it was limited to make the car ugly and unclean till it is washed. But, it is fatal because it ruins the car’s paint. It puts permanent scratches on the surface of cars by damaging the car’s paint and glossy look.

Bird droppings contains uric acid, and its acidity level is between 3.5 and 4.5, a highly acidic pH. Uric acid causes corrosion and ruins the coating and painting of the cars.

The best way to protect your vehicle from the long lasting bird poop damage and other environmental effects such as UV rays, is to always park your car at some shaded place, which isn’t possible every time. The second best way is to keep an eye out on your car for such stains so that it could be treated then and there easily. Because if it stays and dries off then you would be in for some proper car detailing.

How Long Can Bird Poop Sit on Car Paint Before It Causes Damage?

The urgency of removing bird poop cannot be understated. Bird droppings can start damaging your car’s paint in as little as 24 to 48 hours. This is because the uric acid in bird droppings has a highly corrosive pH level, which can penetrate the clear coat of your car’s paint. Once the protective layer is compromised, the acid can cause etching, resulting in permanent damage if not treated promptly.

The severity of the damage can depend on various factors:

  • Temperature: High heat can accelerate the reaction between the bird poop and car paint, making it even more damaging in a shorter amount of time.
  • Type of Paint: Modern car paints are more resilient than older paints, but they are not immune to the effects of bird droppings.

Tip: Always carry a bottle of quick-detailer spray or bird poop wipes in your car to deal with fresh droppings immediately.

Types of Bird Poop Stains:

Before knowing how to remove bird poop stains on car paint, it is crucial to know the kinds of bird poop and their severity level. There are two main types of bird poop:

1. Topical Stain Etching – Easy to Clean:

These stains are less sticky and apparent comparatively. The car owner can easily clean these stains by smoothly rubbing them with a wet cloth or microfiber towel.

2. Fractured/Wrinkled Etching – Difficult to Clean:

These are fractured stains and cannot be easily cleaned. Therefore, to clean up the stains, use some solutions or seek professional assistance for this task.

The Science Behind Bird Poop’s Acidity

Understanding why bird poop is so damaging to car paint involves a bit of chemistry. Bird droppings contain uric acid, a compound that is highly acidic, with a pH between 3.5 and 4.5. Unlike human waste, which is liquid and solid separated, birds excrete both waste products together. This combination creates a potent acid that can break down wax coatings and eat through the clear coat of your car.

Additionally, bird diets affect the corrosiveness of their droppings. For example:

  • Fruits and berries: High in sugars and acids, bird droppings from birds with this diet can be even more corrosive.
  • Seeds: Less acidic but still capable of damaging paint over time.

Being mindful of parking locations, such as avoiding spots under trees or near bird-populated areas, can help reduce the risk of this happening.

How to Remove Bird Poop Stain on Car Paint?

How To Remove Bird Poop Stain On Car Paint?

After getting the knowledge of the harmful effects that bird poop causes, every car owner becomes overwhelmed by the idea of how to remove bird poop stains on car paint. They try to learn how to wash bird poop off the car.

If you want to learn about the best way to wash bird poop off car, there are the following Dos and Don’ts to be followed:

There are the following best ways to wash bird poop off the car:

1. Cleaning With a Fiber Towel or Cloth:

Wash the semi-fresh bird poop stains with seltzer water, effective enough to break down the acid. Splash some seltzer water on the poop, let it sit for some time and wipe it all with a microfiber cloth.

2. Vehicle Specific Cleaning Solution:

If the stubborn stain of bird poop has already been dried then soak the microfiber cloth with the vehicle-specific cleaning solution and place it on the stain for some time. Gently wipe the stain and it would vanish in no time.

However, the stubborn stain would damage the vehicle’s paint hence make sure you smooth it out with the help of a buffer and cutting pads.

3. Use of Club Soda:

Club soda is productive in cleaning the bird poop stains off because soda’s carbonation breaks the acidic quality of the bird poop stains. The method is easy: pour some soda on the stain, wait for a while, and then wipe it smoothly with great care.

4. Baking Soda as a Bird Poop Cleaner:

Baking soda can be used to create a solution to wash or clean the stains. You can spray that particular solution made with baking soda and some other components. Let it soak for a while, and then clean it.

5. WD-40 Spray:

WD-40 spray can be used to clean the bird poop stains quickly. The car owner can spray WD-40 on the exact place where bird poop stains are tracked down and wipe it with a microfiber cloth to clean the bird droppings.

6. Detailer Spray:

Permanent and sticky bird poop stains can be cleaned by spraying a detailer and cleaning with a moist cloth. It is that simple.

7. Laundry Detergent:

A laundry detergent can also come handy in a situation like this. Put some of it on the stain and gently wipe it with a microfiber cloth.

8. Bird Poop Wipes:

There are bird poop specific wipes available in the market that are easy to use and carry around. All you have to do is wipe the bird dropping with the wipes and you are good to go. Buy a pack of these and keep it in your car as bird poop is something inevitable. Better safe than sorry. Check the most suitable bird poop cleaner here.

Using Vinegar and Water for Fresh Stains

If you don’t have specific car cleaning products handy, a simple solution of white vinegar and water can be very effective for fresh bird poop stains. Vinegar is a mild acid that can break down the uric acid without harming the paint.

Here’s how to use it:

  • Mix one part vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle.
  • Spray the affected area generously.
  • Let it sit for 30 seconds to a minute.
  • Gently wipe with a microfiber cloth.

This method is great for on-the-go situations but should not be used on dried stains, as it might not be effective enough.

How Do We Keep Safe Cars From Bird Poop?

Below are the following ways which can be used to keep the cars safe from bird poop:

1. Selection of The Parking Area:

Before parking the car, the owner of the car should take a view of the place. They should not park the car under a tree. A covered area or roofed area is best for parking the car as it not only protects the car from UV rays but also the stubborn bird poop stains.

2. Use of Wax or Sealant:

Wax or sealant is best to protect car paint because it keeps the car safe from bird poop while giving it a shiny and sparkly look. Though it is also limited protection, it is beneficial to minimize the harm of bird poop stains.

3. Covering The Car:

The car owner can save the car from bird poop stains by the fabric covering. A little investment in covering can save the car from permanent scratches and damages.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the bird poop stains harm the car paint. Do wash the stains as soon as possible. The best ways to wash bird poop off the car include cleaning with a fiber towel, using baking and club soda, using the vehicle-specified solution, spraying WD-40 spray, and detailer spray.

FAQs:

Does professional assistance need to remove the bird poop off the car?

When the stains are stubborn which have been dried for some time then it is recommended to consult any of the professional detailing experts as removing such stains could result in the damage of the paint which would require further assistance to deal with.

Can we use carbonated sodas in place of club soda to remove the bird poop stain?

No, never use sugary drinks on the surface of your car because that will not just be sticky but would also damage the paint or the wax of your car, making it a huge mess in the process.

How long does it take for the bird poop to actually damage the surface of your car?

Bird poop start damages the surface of your car within 24-48 hours. That’s why it is recommended by the car detailing experts to get rid of them as soon as possible.

How often should I wax my car to protect it from bird poop?

Regular waxing is crucial to protect your car’s paint. Ideally, wax your car every 3 to 6 months. Wax acts as a barrier, making it easier to remove bird poop and reducing the risk of long-term damage.

Can bird poop stains be removed without professional help?

Yes, most bird poop stains can be cleaned at home using the methods mentioned above. However, if the droppings have etched into the paint, professional detailing might be required to polish and repair the surface damage.

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Owen Price

I'm Owen Price, the founder and car enthusiast senior editor of CarDetailingDIY. I love helping people and teaching them how to take care of their cars and that they don't end up spending thousands of dollars in detailing something that could have been done by themselves at home easily.

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