We’ve all been there. You’ve taken the time to thoroughly wash your car and get it looking showroom ready, then days or perhaps even hours later, you return to your vehicle to find a fresh bird dropping splattered across your paintwork.
While this situation is extremely annoying, removing bird poo can be quick and easy when done at the right time. Keep reading to discover how to get bird poo off a car.
Bird poo must be removed quickly
The most important thing when getting bird poop off a car is to act fast! If you’re in a hurry, it can be tempting to leave bird droppings and tend to it later, however, this can cause problems.
Bird poo can damage your car’s paintwork if left for too long and can also be more difficult to remove. Time is always of the essence!
How does bird poo damage a car?
Bird poo is extremely acidic, ranging from a pH of 3.5 – 4.5. So, when left for long periods of time, bird poo can burn your vehicle’s paintwork and lead to an etching effect. Your car’s exterior surface can soften and expand during warmer temperatures and can result in it moulding to the shape of the bird dropping, leaving a dull mark and even a ripple effect.
Essentially, the longer you leave bird poop, the greater the chance of it damaging your paintwork. The dropping will also become harder, making it more difficult to remove. Any aggressive cleaning could lead to you scratching your paintwork and worsening the damage.
How to remove bird poo safely
You can remove bird poo without damaging your paintwork with a dedicated product such as Autoglym Bird Dropping Car Wipes. There’s no need for baking soda or any other products and sprays – these simple, handy wipes will remove fresh bird poo in no time without leaving any residue. They’re compact so can fit neatly in your glove box and come in a pack of 10. Use on the affected area as soon as possible, and your car will be free of bird poo and ready to go – it’s that simple!
How to prevent bird poo on your car
When you’re out driving out in nature, there’s no surefire way of deterring birds from pooing on your car. However, there are a few things that can help:
- Avoid parking under trees and other places where birds are more likely to be.
- Park your car in a garage.
- Place a car cover on your vehicle.
- Placing reflective surfaces around your vehicle such as old CDs can scare birds away.
- Not having a red car (studies show red cars attract more bird droppings than any other colour!)
And there you have our tips for easily removing bird poo from your car. The key is to ensure that you clean bird droppings as soon as possible to allow for easy removal and avoid potential damage to your paintwork. Shop our full car cleaning range on halfords.com to ensure your vehicle always looks sparkling clean.
