How to Get Bird Poop Off the Car Easily | Complete Guide
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Bird poop makes an ugly mess when they land on the clean, gleaming paintwork of your vehicle. Not only are they unappealing, but also they can wreck vehicle exteriors. That happens thanks to the high concentration of uric acid present in bird droppings. The uric acid causes pH levels in bird poop to range between 3 – 4.5, which is strong enough to corrode your car paint. It does not take long for bird poop to harden or become baked under harsh sunlight, making them tough to remove.
Thankfully though, there are some clever ways to clean up this mess. You only need to know the suitable materials to use and the steps to take. Luckily, this post is all about that. We put together a list of several effective methods to clean bird poop off your car through this post. Also, the best part is that none of these methods are difficult to follow, and they do not take much of your time either. Plus, they do not require much effort either. So without further ado, let us jump right into learning how to clean bird poop off your car.
Getting prepared
Hold up! Before you start cleaning, you need to do a little preparation. Take the following steps before getting to work.
1st step: Put on protective gear and identify the bird poop stains
Remember that safety always comes first. That is why your first step is to wear protective gloves. You will be working with ingredients that could potentially irritate your skin. So to avoid any irritation to the skin, you have to slip on a pair of gloves. To be extra careful, wear long sleeves too. Once you take the safety measurements, locate all the bird poop stains. It will help you not miss any spots and quicken and ease the cleaning process.
2nd Step: Softening the bird poop stains
As we mentioned in the introduction, bird poop hardens pretty fast, making it difficult to remove. To soften the stains look no further than clean water. Fill up an empty spray bottle with fresh water. Then spritz it directly onto the stain to soften it up as much as possible. Usually, you only need one or two sprays. Make sure not to oversaturate it and have water dripping down. Allow a few minutes for the stains to soften, and proceed to the next step.
3rd step: Apply the cleaning product onto the bird poop stains
Now that the stains are softened enough, you are ready to start cleaning. Now is the time to pick any method you prefer. Whichever one you choose, it will work like magic. You can choose one from the following.
How to Get Bird Poop Off Car Easily: Easiest Methods
- Method 1: club soda
You might know Club soda as a carbonated drink; What you do not know is that it makes an excellent DIY bird poop remover. When purchasing Club soda, also known as seltzer water, look for an unflavored and unsweetened one, which works best for cleaning purposes.
Once you have the club soda, pour it into a container. Then using a clean rag, apply the liquid to the stain. We would recommend leaving it for at least five minutes so that it has time to seep into the dropping. After the time is up, wipe the spots away.
- Method 2: baking soda
Baking soda is another ingredient that works well to handle bird poop stains. Not only is it an excellent cleaning agent, but also it is easy to find- you probably have it around your kitchen already. In an empty container, mix a couple of tablespoons of baking soda with warm water and drops of mild soap. Once you mix everything well, apply it to your stain. Then you have to give it a minute or two to settle before wiping it clean.
- Method 3: laundry soap
Another perfect homemade solution is laundry soap or detergent. You will only need to add a couple of drops of soap directly onto the stain if it is mild. Or else, dilute it with warm water in a container if it is a concentrated stain. Then gently scrape it off of your car using a wet towel.
- Method 4: WD-40
Not a DIY person? Then try WD 40. It is an all-purpose product that is a must-have for car owners. It comes in handy, especially when handling bird poop. It is also easy to use. You only need to spray it directly onto the stain and wipe it away. Also, since it is safe to use on vehicles, it will not ruin your car’s paint. You can find this incredible product at your local store or even online. Another reason why it is so popular is that it is very affordable.
- Method 5: special wipes
You will find wipes in the market specially made for cleaning bird poop from the car. Companies make this product for this particular task, so you can rest assured that they do the job. You can use them to clean off the stains directly.
The only drawback is the price. Compared to the other methods we mention in the list, wipes are on the pricier side. If you are on a budget, we recommend getting the wipes only if there are too many stains on the car. If there are not many stains, this idea is not that cost-effective.
- Method 6: detailer spray
Detailer spray is a multi-purpose product that you can use to get rid of bird droppings. Most car care brands provide detailer sprays. It is best to keep it in your trunk to use it anytime you need it. It is pretty user-friendly, too; you only have to press down its trigger to get some of the product from the nozzle onto the stain.
Not only does it successfully remove bird poop, but it also helps restore the paint. Generally, it is not an expensive product, but the prices can slightly vary depending on the brand. Some of the best product options out there to consider are Ultimate Quik Detailer, Meguiar’s G14422, Adam’s Detail Spray, and Mother’s California Gold Instant Detailer.
4th step: Scrubbing the stains off using a microfiber cloth
Now that you have applied the product of your choice to the stain, it is time to scrub away the bird poop. You are going to need a microfibre cloth and some freshwater for this. Dampen the microfiber cloth and gently work the stain off of your car. If the droppings are dried up, you may have to work extra hard. In that case, you may have to scrub three to four times for a squeaky clean effect.
No matter what, remember not to go too hard with the scrubbing. Otherwise, you might end up scratching the vehicle surface or causing a dent. Take your time and be careful. The last thing you want is to damage your vehicle permanently over some bird poop. Even if the stain does not seem to come off, scrubbing too hard is not an option. Instead, you can reapply the mixture and repeat the steps until the stain is completely gone.
Next, grab a fresh microfibre cloth once all the dropping stains are completely gone. Use it to rinse the area clean with wiping motions. Make sure there are no residue remains.
Wrapping Up
There you go! You got to know all about the best ways to remove bird poop from your vehicle. You learned several easy and effective DIY homemade solutions and great product recommendations to get from the store. By now, you have probably decided which method to try out. No matter which one you choose, we are sure that your car will be bird poop free in no time.
