ok, so a bird decided that my 1-week old Coupe roof was a good target today, one large deposit (about 2 inches in diameter). No idea how long it was there, anywhere up to 8 hours is possible. As soon as I saw it I hit it with Hydro and wiped it off as carefully as possible with a soft microfiber, then when I got home more hydro and buffed with a monster fluffy. After than I could still see the outline and "texture" even though I can't feel it with a bare hand. I hit it with some more hydro and clayed, but fearing the worst I'm guessing this is etched into the clear yes? anything I can do? I don't have a lot of detailing stuff, just some hydro and epic along with some new clay. Also while carefully removing the deposit, I managed to put a couple of small scratches into the clear, definitely my own fault for not being careful enough and those I think I'll probably have to live with.

Why did I get a black roof again?

 

It very, very likely etched your clear coat. I've had a clear bra and a bonnet stripe etched by bird crap in the parking lot at work.

You may never fix the problem completely but with a random orbital or dual action buffer and a rather aggressive polish, you can make it barely noticeable.

I now park as far away from trees as I can wherever I go but especially at work since, as you point out, it could be there for 8 hours without you knowing it.

 

You can try hand polishing it out using a very fine polishing compound such as ScratchX from Meguiar's. It is very simply/safe to use. I am confident you can get fix this.

The clear coat on the MINI is quite hard, so you will need more patience. Just polish with a microfiber cloth. Good luck, pigeons are the worst!

PS. Wash the car, and clay the area before you start with the polishing.

 

Thanks, I do have some scratch-x but I've always been nervous about making things worse. Just apply a small amount with a microfiber applicator, circular motion over the etched area?

 

Exactly.

I use that stuff for the tiny scratches around door handles and it works great. Not sure about poop etchings but I hope it works.

 

If none of the stated methods above your last resort is sanding it which definitely would work but that should be your last if nothing else works.

 

Thanks, if it ever stops raining today I might have a chance at trying the ScratchX.