How do I get dried bird poop off my car?

May 07, 2021 Bird droppings, dookie, scat, excrement, poo-poo, feces—whatever you call it, bird poop is one of the most common causes of automotive paint damage in Kansas City and the world. With a pH between 3 and 5, bird poop is high in uric acid, a corrosive element that can quickly damage your vehicle’s exterior. Left for too long, dried bird droppings will degrade your clearcoat and may even bleach the paint itself. Yikes!

So, the next time a bird goes kersplat on your car’s bright red hood, be sure to wash that sucker off before it etches itself into the paint! But what’s the best way to clean bird droppings off a car? Here are a few tips to get your vehicle un-poopified.

Soaked Cloth 

To clean dry bird poop that has been on your car since the Reagan administration, soak a microfiber cloth in a vehicle-safe cleaning solution – ask your Kansas City auto body shop for recommendations, if needed – and leave the cloth on the stain for 15 minutes. Gently rub it away, repeating the task on seriously stubborn bird poop stains.

Once you’ve cleaned all the bird droppings off, smooth out your vehicle’s paint with a clay bar or a small amount of polish, buffing it to match the rest of the vehicle.

Seltzer Water or Club Soda

Semi-fresh bird poo can be easily wiped away with a microfiber cloth and some seltzer water. The carbonation from the seltzer water helps to break down the poop’s natural acidic qualities. Splash some on the fresh avian turd, let it sit for a few minutes, and swipe it all away in one quick Karate Kid motion.

Note: It’s not recommended that you use carbonated cola or sugary sodas as an alternative! They’ll leave sticky residue everywhere and can even further damage your paint job, wax, and rubber sealants.

Specialty Bird Poop Wipes

Made of biodegradable, composite bamboo materials, Drop Wipes do an admirable job of ridding your vehicle of birds’ unsightly turds. The company’s patented cleaner neutralizes the acid in the poo, allowing you to simply swipe and go. If you frequently park under trees or near ponds, be sure to keep a pack in your glove compartment. 

Car Detailer Spray

The best tool to prevent wrinkled etching caused by bird poop is a specialty car detailer spray. A few spritzes will dissolve bird droppings in seconds, and a moist cloth or towel will remedy bird poop etchings and stains completely. The biggest benefit of using car detailing spray is that it won’t harm your vehicle’s paint or wax coating – that’s its purpose, right? – but rather restore its shine. For advice on a quality auto detailer spray, speak with a member of our McCarthy Collision Centers.

Baking Soda

If you didn’t know, baking soda is pretty awesome. Not only does it deodorize fridges and clean your teeth, but it also helps to remove bird poop from cars. A simple mixture of baking soda (2 tablespoons), dish soap (a teensy squirt) and hot water, spritzed from a spray bottle onto the droppings and left to soak for 10 minutes, should clear off most stingy bird crud. Rinse with a hose and repeat.

WD-40

Did you know that the amazing, multipurpose WD-40 spray can be used to clean off dry bird poop? It’s true! In about the time it takes for Thanos to snap his fingers, WD-40 will loosen dry bird droppings, enabling you to eliminate stains with a single wipe or rinse from the hose. Plus, you won’t need to get your hands dirty! (Check out WD-40’s additional 200-plus automotive uses too.)

Unscented Laundry Detergent (on Upholstery)

Maybe you were dumb unlucky enough to keep your sunroof open or top down as you went grocery shopping. Maybe a flock of ducks, 45 minutes after their last meal, decided to fly directly over your vehicle while you were comparing cans of refried beans. (You get where we’re going…)

To clean bird poop off your car seats, upholstery, or even a fabric convertible top:

1. Let it dry. While that may seem counterintuitive, dry bird poop on car upholstery is easier to clean compared to wet poop, which can smear and spread.
2. Once dry, pick the bird droppings off with a plastic scraper, nail file, your fingernails—anything that won’t rip the fabric.
3. A chalky residue or white stain will remain. Treat these stains with a drop of unscented liquid laundry detergent, and gently pat with a damp cloth.
4. Rinse the cloth and slowly scrub until the stain and detergent are gone.
5. Air dry, away from bird flight paths.

Get Help From a Professional Car Detailer

In the case of a really disgusting bird-poop bombing, it may be in your best interest to let a pro detail your car. After a thorough wash, wax, and polish, your vehicle will look brand new. If you need help repainting your car in Kansas City, visit one of our auto body shops in Missouri or Kansas. We offer a variety of auto body services, including detailing and paintless dent repair. Take that, Tweety Bird!

Sources:

https://www.nsford.com/blogs/2500/car-detailing/5-surefire-ways-to-get-dry-bird-poop-off-your-car/

https://www.audubon.org/news/how-live-bird-poop

https://www.dropwipes.com/

https://carfromjapan.com/article/car-maintenance/bird-poop-on-car-how-to-recover-car-paint-damage/

https://www.wd40.com/uses-tips/automotive/all