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.....

 

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!

 

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.

 

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 :(

 

^^ 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?

 

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.....

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

aha! that's 2 Octane Points for me.

 

You need one of these cars.

...Les

 

^^ actually, ive run over 3 birds this year... my total is about 10 birds so far and counting.

 

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.