Bird splat....Help!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 546
Likes: 1
From: Rancho Cucamonga California
Bird splat....Help!
Drove the Vette to work yesterday and to lunch. Come out of the restaurant to find that a bird had splatted on my hood 
Of course, it's sunny out here in So Cal so I'm worried about the bird crap spoiling the finish. Upon return to work in the covered parking structure I try minimize the damage but unfortunately I had yet to store my emergency detail kit in the car. All I had were paper towels and water. I soak the paper towels and try as gently as possible to remove the crap. After my hour commute, I get home and immediately apply ZAIO, followed by Z2 Pro, then Z8. Unfortunately, there were some fine scratches (yes I know, prob from the paper towel) and the crap wouldn't completely lift from the paint. So, what product or process would be best suited to help remove the crap residue and fine scratches?
Of course, it's sunny out here in So Cal so I'm worried about the bird crap spoiling the finish. Upon return to work in the covered parking structure I try minimize the damage but unfortunately I had yet to store my emergency detail kit in the car. All I had were paper towels and water. I soak the paper towels and try as gently as possible to remove the crap. After my hour commute, I get home and immediately apply ZAIO, followed by Z2 Pro, then Z8. Unfortunately, there were some fine scratches (yes I know, prob from the paper towel) and the crap wouldn't completely lift from the paint. So, what product or process would be best suited to help remove the crap residue and fine scratches?
If you have a buffer even better. 
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Keep a 4oz spray bottle of your favorite QD and a MF in your car for bird-s... emergencies. Mist the QD and blot the poo off of your paint. Sometimes you have to repeat this a few times.
Birds take in gravel to digest food, and the gravel is mixed into the lovely Poo Picasso that lands on your car. That's why you want to be careful and blot, not wipe, because bird poo not only stains your paint, but it's also very abrasive.
Birds take in gravel to digest food, and the gravel is mixed into the lovely Poo Picasso that lands on your car. That's why you want to be careful and blot, not wipe, because bird poo not only stains your paint, but it's also very abrasive.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,070
Likes: 1,291
From: Central Ma
Keep a 4oz spray bottle of your favorite QD and a MF in your car for bird-s... emergencies. Mist the QD and blot the poo off of your paint. Sometimes you have to repeat this a few times.
Birds take in gravel to digest food, and the gravel is mixed into the lovely Poo Picasso that lands on your car. That's why you want to be careful and blot, not wipe, because bird poo not only stains your paint, but it's also very abrasive.
Birds take in gravel to digest food, and the gravel is mixed into the lovely Poo Picasso that lands on your car. That's why you want to be careful and blot, not wipe, because bird poo not only stains your paint, but it's also very abrasive.
Excellent advice. I'd prefer to wait and hose it off as it can be very abrasive. If you can't wait, tread carefully.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,909
Likes: 4
From: Ponte Vedra Beach / London State: Dazed and confused
Makes you thankful cows don't fly! 
Take your time and be careful with its removal, these acids should be removed and/or neutralized as quickly as possible. Using an IPA (isopropyl alcohol) no ammonia based (ammonia acts as an acid accelerate) glass cleaner.Or use a gel alcohol hand cleaner (Purell®) place a small amount on to a first aid gauze pad and apply to effected area this will help it stay in place during the necessary dwell time. The alcohol content acts as a drying agent, which will extract the acid, then thoroughly flush with water to rinse away any grit or sand, etc or use detailers clay to encapsulate it, re-spray the area let it dwell for 2-3 minutes and wipe dry.
Avoid using a QD spray to flush residue, as they contain either carnauba wax or polymer sealants, which will seal the acid and not allow it to dissipate. Using an alkaline rinse of baking soda and water (to neutralize the acid) as soon as is practical is highly recommended, if the affected paintwork is not neutralized any remaining acid residue will be reactivated.
If the paint or glass surface has been etched the surface can be levelled with a suitable polish (Zaino PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleanser and then apply a paint protection).
Take your time and be careful with its removal, these acids should be removed and/or neutralized as quickly as possible. Using an IPA (isopropyl alcohol) no ammonia based (ammonia acts as an acid accelerate) glass cleaner.Or use a gel alcohol hand cleaner (Purell®) place a small amount on to a first aid gauze pad and apply to effected area this will help it stay in place during the necessary dwell time. The alcohol content acts as a drying agent, which will extract the acid, then thoroughly flush with water to rinse away any grit or sand, etc or use detailers clay to encapsulate it, re-spray the area let it dwell for 2-3 minutes and wipe dry.
Avoid using a QD spray to flush residue, as they contain either carnauba wax or polymer sealants, which will seal the acid and not allow it to dissipate. Using an alkaline rinse of baking soda and water (to neutralize the acid) as soon as is practical is highly recommended, if the affected paintwork is not neutralized any remaining acid residue will be reactivated.
If the paint or glass surface has been etched the surface can be levelled with a suitable polish (Zaino PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleanser and then apply a paint protection).
Last edited by TOGWT; Sep 12, 2007 at 02:13 PM.
