MINI Cooper MINI Cooper specs
MINI Cooper MINI Cooper Forums MINI Cooper Pictures
Mark Forums Read MINI Cooper radio MINI Cooper latest news
 

Go Back   North American Motoring > MINIs in General > Detailing 101
Sign in using an external account
Register Forgot Password?

Welcome to North American Motoring !
Welcome to North American Motoring,

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!


» Latest Main Topics
Go to first new post Lets post some GP pics
84 Replies, 5,478 Views
Go to first new post New MCS owner!
by kablam
0 Replies, 12 Views
Advertisement

Reply
 
 
 
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1  
Old 10-30-2006, 02:09 PM
MaxN MaxN is offline
Reverse Gear
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,469
Send a message via MSN to MaxN
Gallery
Cleaning Bird poop !

My wife came back to her car yesterday to find a large amount of (dried) bird poop on the trunk lid (BMW 325i).

We washed it off with water, and found that the paint/wax/top coat is discolored slightly.

Her car is a metallic blue - extremely dark, almost black that shows marks really easily.

last night I tried scratch remover, and also a wax remover, followed by a quick coat of wax - but the stain is still visible - only if you know what to look for.

We do not have a great deal of detailing experience, nor products, so we are open to buying whatever we need, and putting in the effort to get it back to 'nice'.

So, what do you guys reccomend then ?

Oh - she has a bunch of small scratches to deal with too - so add that to the product list.

She does not want to go crazy, although I think that she may be border-line OCD regarding her car. Preferably something that we can do together in about 4-5 hours tops.....
__________________
include {Coffee, $irony[42]}
assume {limey.obviously
, accent.British, (humor.obscure=true), sarcasm.value[expert]}
assign {blame.perennial .value= implied}
output[printer] {cars++coffee.photos}
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-30-2006, 02:14 PM
mitchman's Avatar
mitchman mitchman is offline
5th Gear
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Kennewick, WA
Posts: 847
Gallery
I'm surprised that this happened. Since we've been using Zaino Z5 wax, the bird poop just washes right off. (and we only wax the car 2-3 times per year).

What type of wax do you use? Was it fresh?

As far as removing it, maybe a clay bar? I'm sure someone with more experience will have a better recommendation. Good luck!
__________________

_____________________________
2006 MCS HB/W Setup for G-Stock autocross Sand & Sage Sports Car Club
Leda double adjustable shocks with remote reservoirs, SSR wheels, 22.5mm front bar
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-30-2006, 02:14 PM
kenchan's Avatar
kenchan kenchan is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 31,442
Gallery
i had this problem on my black Legacy last weekend. i just used ScratchX
about 3-4 apps and was luckly able to get under it. waxed afterwards.

Wife usually tells me about bird crap, but latetly the sun's been going down
earlier and she could not detect it. i found it at least 3 days after getting
dumped on.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-30-2006, 02:18 PM
MaxN MaxN is offline
Reverse Gear
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,469
Send a message via MSN to MaxN
Gallery
Sorry forgot to mention, the last waxing that the car got was about a month ago, we went through a mulit-stage, wash, old wax removal, new carnuba then polish (x2) using a Meguirs system.

A week prior it was washed and a nxgen (?) spary detailer was used.

I have a feeling that it may have been there baking for a couple of days :(
__________________
include {Coffee, $irony[42]}
assume {limey.obviously
, accent.British, (humor.obscure=true), sarcasm.value[expert]}
assign {blame.perennial .value= implied}
output[printer] {cars++coffee.photos}
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-30-2006, 02:39 PM
kenchan's Avatar
kenchan kenchan is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 31,442
Gallery
^^ yah, i don't think any wax can protect bird crap completely.

looks like we'll need to clear bra our roofs and trunk lids, huh?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-30-2006, 03:41 PM
MaxN MaxN is offline
Reverse Gear
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,469
Send a message via MSN to MaxN
Gallery
Ok - so I will get busy with the scratch-x tonight I guess

She is the OCD one, I detail her car far more often than mine.....
__________________
include {Coffee, $irony[42]}
assume {limey.obviously
, accent.British, (humor.obscure=true), sarcasm.value[expert]}
assign {blame.perennial .value= implied}
output[printer] {cars++coffee.photos}
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-30-2006, 03:55 PM
OctaneGuy's Avatar
OctaneGuy OctaneGuy is offline
Vendor & Moderator :: MINI Camera and Video & c3 club forum
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Anaheim, CA
Posts: 8,794
Send a message via AIM to OctaneGuy Send a message via Yahoo to OctaneGuy Send a message via Skype™ to OctaneGuy
Gallery
Garage
It's true, bird poo etchings can happen within seconds. I've wiped off bird poo within 10 seconds of when it hit, and the damage was already done.

Your best bet is a paint cleaner like ScratchX. Watch my DVD or the teaser about my DVD on my site to see how to properly use it.

www.ShowCarGarage.com

Make sure your knuckles are all cramped up, you're sweating, and panting to ensure you are using it correctly! If you aren't those etching will never come out. Don't forget to repeat this like 4 or 5 times. Then protect the area with wax.

As a Pro Detailer, I can usually remove an etching in a few seconds with the proper tool-unless the poo has sat on there for 24 hours or more--sometimes there is nothing that can be done to fix it. As long as the damage is on the paint surface and not deep within it, you're safe.

re: Kenchan
You're absolutely correct that there isn't a wax out there that will completely protect you from bird poo.

Richard
__________________
5548 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807 866 707 9292
Looking for Prima?? Buy Prima at ShowCarSupplies.com
11% off everyday discount code: MINI11NAM
2010 Midnight Black MCCSa
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-30-2006, 04:05 PM
AntiqueCarNut's Avatar
AntiqueCarNut AntiqueCarNut is offline
4th Gear
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hollis, NH
Posts: 353
Gallery
MaxN:

I suggest trying One Grand's "Special Touch" - it's a terrific troubleshooter. Call John or Rick at One Grand, 800.782.3329 and see what he suggests. Since you're in SoCal, it's probably available in an automotive paint store close to you. Tell him that Adam recommended that you call.
__________________

'06 MCS DS/S 6-sp LSD/Pkg1+2+3/HK audio/Blitzsafe+XM+iPod/Mikey's BT kit/Arc Armrest/Whalen SM/Redline leather boots/RSpeed RSB/JCW Suspension/M7 STB+OCC/DDM HDI/15% Pulley/Kngsbrne Wires/V-1 Radar/Ian's Auto-up+Fog
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-30-2006, 04:13 PM
OctaneGuy's Avatar
OctaneGuy OctaneGuy is offline
Vendor & Moderator :: MINI Camera and Video & c3 club forum
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Anaheim, CA
Posts: 8,794
Send a message via AIM to OctaneGuy Send a message via Yahoo to OctaneGuy Send a message via Skype™ to OctaneGuy
Gallery
Garage
Oh I didn't realize he was in SoCal. Hey if all else fails, give me a ring, and I'll take that right out for you.
__________________
5548 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807 866 707 9292
Looking for Prima?? Buy Prima at ShowCarSupplies.com
11% off everyday discount code: MINI11NAM
2010 Midnight Black MCCSa
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-30-2006, 06:30 PM
kenchan's Avatar
kenchan kenchan is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 31,442
Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by OctaneGuy View Post
re: Kenchan
You're absolutely correct that there isn't a wax out there that will completely protect you from bird poo.

Richard
aha! that's 2 Octane Points for me.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 10-30-2006, 07:05 PM
moreorless's Avatar
moreorless moreorless is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: A pile of sawdust
Posts: 1,283
Gallery
You need one of these cars.

...Les
__________________

MMC #109
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 10-30-2006, 08:39 PM
kenchan's Avatar
kenchan kenchan is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 31,442
Gallery
^^ actually, ive run over 3 birds this year... my total is about 10 birds so far and counting.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 10-31-2006, 09:37 AM
MaxN MaxN is offline
Reverse Gear
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,469
Send a message via MSN to MaxN
Gallery
OK - So I atatcked it with scratch-x and it is all-but invisible now !

Unless you actually know what to look for, and where to look, and the light is just right (wrong?) you cannot see that there was a blemish.

The downside is that I also attacked a couple of fine scratches, and then found a more serious one, and then realizes that the trunk lid is super shiney.....

It looks like I am going to have to spend some serious time and effort on her car for her now......
__________________
include {Coffee, $irony[42]}
assume {limey.obviously
, accent.British, (humor.obscure=true), sarcasm.value[expert]}
assign {blame.perennial .value= implied}
output[printer] {cars++coffee.photos}
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 10-31-2006, 12:15 PM
kenchan's Avatar
kenchan kenchan is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 31,442
Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by MaxN View Post
OK - So I atatcked it with scratch-x and it is all-but invisible now !

Unless you actually know what to look for, and where to look, and the light is just right (wrong?) you cannot see that there was a blemish.

The downside is that I also attacked a couple of fine scratches, and then found a more serious one, and then realizes that the trunk lid is super shiney.....

It looks like I am going to have to spend some serious time and effort on her car for her now......

oh and make sure you use the right tools (towels) and polishes, waxes,
detailer spray, clay, and also throw in a nice detailng cart, detailing
creeper, and some nice polish and wax pads in assortment of colors and
sizes, and oh, don't forget interior cleaner, spray on waxes, and the
right car shampoo and wash mitts, along with wheel brushes, carpet
cleaners, tire dressing, interior dressing, and proper hose, couplers,
hose nozzles, and you can't for get the leather care products either,
nice wash buckets, grit guard, well, just a few items that came
to mind which you will need by this time next week.
Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2006, 12:15 PM
 
 
 
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

Forum Jump


MINI CooperMINI Cooper PrivacyMINI Cooper Terms of UseMINI Cooper Guidelines MINI Cooper Advertising The North American MINI Cooper Community
  MINI Cooper news, forums, FAQs, and reviews for enthusiasts and owners of the North American MINI Cooper
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:56 PM.
 Copyright © 2002-2008 North American Motoring. All Rights Reserved.     Powered by vBulletin and vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:56 PM.


Powered by vBulletin and vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.
North American Motoring is an independently operated web site supporting MINI owners and enthusiastsworldwide. As such it has no official relationship with MINI USA, BMW AG, or BMW of North America.All original artwork and design is Copyright © 2002-2004 North American Motoring.
Admin Account Passwords

Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2