If you do not wipe bird droppings from the car body for a long time, this seemingly harmless speck can easily turn into a big nuisance for the car. And the point here is not at all that admiring the feces of a feathered tribe is not aesthetically pleasing, and scrubbing is unpleasant. The problem lies in the literal sense of the word much deeper: litter easily destroys the paintwork.
Consequences of pollution
In the event that bird droppings are not removed from the car body soon, it begins to enter into chemical interaction with the paint layer.
As a result, the following situations are possible:
- discoloration of paint under the litter;
- dissolution of the film layer;
- paint swelling;
- appearance of cracks in paintwork body;
- formation of bubbles on the paint layer.
All the damage described not only spoils appearance auto, but also open a direct wide road to the main enemy automotive technology – corrosion. The destruction of the paint layer in itself is not terrible, except that it will cause annoyance among fans of the ideal appearance of the car. The scary thing is that the unprotected metal of the body is easily destroyed under the influence of environment, and a car with a broken coating will quickly become not just ugly, but dangerous to operate.
Why varnishes and paints "pass" in front of bird droppings
The main reason for the forced increased attention of motorists to bird droppings on the car body lies in one unpleasant feature of birds.
The product of the vital activity of birds differs significantly from the excrement of other species of living beings. The excretory system of a bird does not have such an "option" as urination. This means that nitrogenous compounds, which are produced by almost every living organism and which in most animal species are excreted as a solution of urea in urine, are excreted in the form of uric acid in birds. Uric acid makes up a large proportion of bird excretions and appears as a white substance.
Thus, bird droppings are a mixture of chemically aggressive organic acids, which are extremely slightly soluble in water, but at the same time easily corrode the varnishes and paints that cover the car body.
It is precisely because of the weak dissolution in water that it is impossible to remove already dried droppings from the machine simply with a damp cloth. Worse, water does not dissolve the compound, but activates the destructive action of the acid, which without moisture is generally not dangerous.
Also, do not hope that the bird's "hello" will simply dry out in the sun and lose its aggressive qualities: high temperatures only exacerbate the problem, activating the rate of flow of corrosive and other destructive processes.
Since the hot sun and atmospheric moisture increase the destruction, biggest problems bird droppings on the body of a car delivers to its owner in a hot and humid climate. But this does not mean that in other conditions the problem does not exist: it just develops more slowly, but still leads to the same result.
Do not forget that birds, in order to facilitate digestion, swallow small stones throughout their lives, which help to grind food in the stomach. These pebbles are also excreted with litter, and in addition to chemical aggressiveness, excrement is also abrasive.
Is there protection?
Unfortunately acid resistant protective coatings for the car body does not exist today. However, wax and protective polymer compounds can be used, which for some time can protect against aggressive acidic compounds.
One hundred percent forget about the problem will not work, but still, the use of these tools forms on the surface machine body moisture-repellent film that prevents the adhesion of contaminants of any nature. Thus, the motorist gets some time in order to get rid of pollution without harm to the coating.
It is also important to remember that the applied protective wax or polymer layer is erased quickly enough, and it must be renewed regularly.
In order to reduce the likelihood of getting pollution, you should not park your car under trees, especially where there are bird nests, and under wires, a favorite "roost" for pigeons and other city feathered residents.
If circumstances often force you to park under trees, it is better to think about purchasing car cover. It may seem too expensive and impractical, but believe me that dried droppings can deliver much more to the car owner. more problems than the cost of purchasing a cover and the need to close the car with it.
Removing pollution
The main safety rule automotive coverage- get rid of bird "surprises" as soon as possible. The main task is to have time to do this before the acid enters into a chemical reaction with the paint under the influence of moisture and the burning sun.
Getting started, you should remember an important rule
Bird droppings are often breeding grounds for disease-causing bacteria and can cause infection with infectious diseases. Therefore, you need to remove it from the car only with gloves. It is better if the gloves are disposable - after finishing work, you can simply pack them in a bag and throw them away, and wash your hands thoroughly or wipe them with a disinfectant.
There are several ways to remove bird droppings. Which one to choose depends on the degree of pollution and its prescription.
Soft fabric
If the litter is very fresh, it can be carefully removed with a damp soft cloth. At the same time, do not forget that the composition of the pollution is abrasive, which means that if you rub it, you can easily leave scratches on the paint.
Carefully collect dirt with a rag and remove from the body. The remaining fragments must be washed off with water and gently wipe the surface clean.
Ordinary pure water
It is used in the event that the litter has already dried up, but the pollution is no more than a few days, and the acid has not had time to react with the surface.
You need to take wet gauze folded 6-8 times or a piece of soft rag, put it on the pollution and pour water on top. The fabric will hold water, preventing it from spreading over the surface of the body. At the same time, moisture will penetrate the dirt and soften it without damaging the paint.
When the litter is softened, it must be carefully removed with the same rag. In order not to scratch the surface, the remaining abrasive particles can be removed with a special cleaning clay, which is used to clean varnished surfaces.
Also good results with fresh litter gives a simple soda: The carbonic acid contained in this drink carbonizes the acidic compounds, and they break down, becoming harmless to the paint layer.
Alkaline compounds
Acid is not friendly with alkali, so you can use ordinary baking soda or household soda to remove litter, dissolving it in clean water. The resulting solution should be used in the same way as plain water in paragraph 1. You may have to wait about half an hour until the composition softens the pollution.
Any cleansers containing alkaline compounds will also work.
Do not forget that the soda solution is also abrasive, so, again, you should not rub the stain.
A mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol
IPA (isopropyl alcohol) is mixed with distilled water in equal proportions. In relation to acid, alcohol works as an adsorbent, and this property is enhanced in combination with water. After applying the composition to the contamination, you should wait two to three minutes until the solution reacts with the litter, then rinse everything off with clean water.
In addition to a self-made solution, you can use any household cleaners based on isopropyl alcohol.
All-Purpose Multipurpose WD-40 Compound
The product is sprayed on pollution, thoroughly impregnating it. After 5-10 minutes, you can remove the droppings with a disposable napkin or a piece of rag. Manufacturers of this universal cleaner indicate that one of the ways to use the product is to clean the paintwork of a car from bird droppings. At the same time, the composition itself is neutral to the paint layer, does not destroy it.
Dimexide
A folk remedy for bird droppings is also called ordinary dimexide - a drug that can be purchased at pharmacies. Being a strong alkaline compound, it also handles this type of dirt well. But in the case of its use, it should be remembered that dimexide itself is aggressive and can ruin the varnish film. Therefore, you need to apply it on the stain in a small amount and remove it quickly, without overdoing it.
Coca Cola
This amazing drink is generally capable of much.: No wonder housewives got the hang of using it to remove old dirt. In the case of litter, Coca-Cola also does not fail, although it probably will not be as effective as special means to clean the body. At the same time, she has one advantage over the same dimexide - she is not so dangerous for the varnish layer of the body.
Not only the body!
If the birds, by some chance, spared the body of the car, but at the same time soiled Windshield, you should also take care of the issue of cleaning as soon as possible. The litter is equally aggressive and glass surfaces, you need to remove it from the windows as quickly as from the body.
If, after the bird droppings are removed from the car body, small scratches, it is worth carrying out abrasive polishing of the surface. The main thing to remember when receiving a “bird hello” on the hood is that you should not delay cleaning. The later you get down to business, the more difficult the process will be!
No vehicle is immune to bird poop contamination. The faster you act, the less damage the litter will do to the paintwork (LCP). We will give you good advice: how to clean up bird droppings without damaging your car paint.
So let's look at 10 removal methods bird droppings from the body of the car, as well as a few tips on how to prevent it.
Bird droppings can be very harmful to car paint because they contain uric acid, which quickly damages the first coat of paint, and if left untreated, the acid can reach the paint, leaving marks that are difficult to remove.
Bird droppings are also composed of solid particles that, when dried, can scratch the paint if you try to clean the surface without due care.
How to remove fresh bird droppings
If the stain is fresh, just wash it off. big amount water and wipe the area with a clean cloth. If you don't have access to clean water, windshield wiper fluid is a good alternative. Remove the supply tube from the nozzle, wrap it with a clean cloth, dampen it well, and then proceed to cleaning.
When the excrement is fresh, you can also rinse it off with mineral water, then wipe it with a clean cloth. A mixture of water and carbon dioxide will not harm the paint vehicle, but will help break down chemicals in bird excretions.
How to remove dried litter
If the litter has had time to dry, it should be softened. To do this, cover the area with a damp cloth, pour plenty of water over it, and let it sit for a few minutes. Then gently slide the cloth to completely remove the dirt. It is important not to wipe or clean this area with a dirty cloth to avoid scratching the paint. If there is a stain left, you can try polishing it. Remember, the sooner you get started, the better.
Using pressurized water is another way to get rid of excrement easily. Washing systems from Kärcher are here to help you.
Another tip is to use WD-40, but this product should only be applied to painted areas of the car and not to glass or plastic moldings, as its ingredients can damage these materials. Let the product work for a minute to soften the droppings, and then gently remove the dirt with a rag. Wipe away any residue of this product with another damp and clean cloth.
It is best to use damp microfiber cloths. Avoid cleaning up bird droppings by scraping them with hard objects. It is convenient to use toilet paper or paper towels.
How to protect your car from bird droppings
One way to at least somehow reduce the likelihood of such car pollution by birds is to avoid parking under trees, wires, street lamps.
Polishing and waxing the car several times a year will create protective layer LKP. The treated coating is easier and faster to remove litter. In addition, the paint will be better protected from uric acid, which is found in bird excrement.
Many car enthusiasts try to keep their car clean both inside and out. Who doesn't love the shine of a washed car!? But the whole mood after washing is often spoiled by birds, whose droppings can cross out all your efforts. Unfortunately, getting rid of bird droppings from the car body and windows is not as easy as it seems. In addition, when cleaning, there is a risk of damaging the paintwork of the car. What to do if your car is "marked" by birds? There are a few things you need to consider in order to make the bird droppings cleaning process easy and safe.
The most important thing is not to allow bird droppings for a long time was on the surface of the car body. It is advisable to remove it as soon as possible. Especially do not keep the car in the sun in this case. The fact is that in any bird droppings there is uric acid, which can corrode car paint, which, you know,.
If the litter on the car body is fresh, then you can simply remove the contamination with ordinary mineral soda water (seltzer) and a microfiber cloth (towels, napkins, etc.). Thanks to carbonated water, a carbonization process occurs, due to which the chemicals of the litter on the surface of the body are converted (split).
Never use paper towels, paper napkins, or an old bath towel as they do not pick up dirt and may not only leave fibers on the surface of the body, but also scratch the paintwork of the car.
You can also buy special wipes for removing bird droppings, which are sold in some auto shops and hypermarkets. Although we have not tested them personally, the reviews on the web are quite positive.
However, all these tips are relevant only if the bird has dirty your car recently and the droppings have not yet dried. Unfortunately, most often it is not possible to remove pollution by the above methods, since motorists either delay with an unpleasant occupation, or notice characteristic spots on the body when the litter is already dry.
In this case, you'd better buy a special cleaner that can handle bird droppings. It is best to purchase an all-purpose body cleaner at any auto shop or grocery hypermarket, which easily removes many types of dirt. Including bird droppings.
In order to use it to clean the body of the car from bird droppings, apply the cleaner to a microfiber cloth and place the soaked cloth on the spot for at least 10 minutes, after applying a small amount of the product to the droppings itself. Next, wait for the cleaner to break down the chemicals in the dried manure, then remove the dirt.
City birds seem to be harmless at first glance, but they cause quite serious harm to cars. Of course, we will talk about bird droppings, with which birds quite often “mark” both moving cars and those that are in the parking lot. The waste products of feathered life not only spoil the appearance of the car, but also cause serious harm to it because they contain aggressive components, the hood of the car on which the bird left such an unpleasant mark is affected by them, as they say, not only paint, but also metal is destroyed under her. Over time, if you do not take action and do not remove the litter in time, it will corrode the paint, and then it will be taken for metal surface. In the worst case, you will have to buy a hood and install it to replace the damaged one. It must be said that the birds "mark" not only the hoods, in the same way they can ruin, for example, the roof of the car, and in several places, then already without a serious body repair the matter will not work.
The situation described above is considered extreme, such damage from bird droppings is possible only if the car has been parked for many days. outdoors without supervision, if, for example, his owner went on vacation or on a business trip using other modes of transport, otherwise most motorists are used to appreciating and caring for their cars, at least most of them
Why is bird droppings so harmful to the body?
All due to the fact that this substance contains uric acid and ammonium in its composition, they aggressively act not only on the paintwork, but also on the metal, the reaction is most active when high temperature, that is, on hot summer days. Therefore, such a nuisance must be removed from the body as soon as possible after its occurrence.
How to remove bird droppings:
The most widely used products contain alkali, the simplest of which is water with the addition of soda. A small amount of such a product can dissolve dried droppings for 15 minutes, after which it can be carefully removed from the surface of the body with a clean cloth without rubbing.
Isopropyl alcohol, when diluted 1:1 with distilled water, will act as a uric acid neutralizer. Many household cleaners are based on isopropyl and distilled water in the indicated proportions, so it is not necessary to prepare the product yourself, you can use the existing one by spraying it on the place of the body stained with litter, after two minutes carefully without rubbing, collect the remains of the dissolved litter with a clean rag.
The most common of the known means. Used to clean the body of bird droppings is WD-40. You should work with it in the same way, as described in paragraph two.
If you notice a bird trouble on your hood almost immediately and it happened, for example, on the road, you can solve the problem with an ordinary rag and clean water. It is necessary to put a rag on the contaminated area and pour it with a small amount of water, the rag will not allow the water to spread, and the dissolved litter can be easily removed from the surface.
Using any of the described means and methods, it must be remembered that pollution of this kind should never be rubbed, much less smeared over the surface, the fact is that bird droppings contain not only uric acid and ammonium, but also abrasive substances: particles of sand, undigested seeds and even microscopic stone chips, all this can leave a noticeable mark on the paintwork in the form of unaesthetic scratches. If the owner of the car does not like such defects very much, then after several such cleaning procedures he will have to buy a replacement hood. Fortunately, there is a budget solution for such a problem - used spare parts; for body repairs of used cars, this option is used most often, since it is quite justified, for example,
