Nissan 370Z Forum - removing bird droppings without re-washing the car

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Nissan 370Z Forum (http://www.the370z.com/)

- Detailing / Washing / Waxing / Cosmetic Maintenance and Repair (http://www.the370z.com/detailing-washing-waxing-cosmetic-maintenance-repair/)

- - removing bird droppings without re-washing the car (http://www.the370z.com/detailing-washing-waxing-cosmetic-maintenance-repair/2709-removing-bird-droppings-without-re-washing-car.html)

arcticreaver

03-14-2009 04:56 PM

removing bird droppings without re-washing the car

okay just washed the car. 3 hours later, i spotted a bird dropping on my hood.

what is the safest way to remove bird droppings without re-washing the car?

chubbs

03-14-2009 05:41 PM

:confused:

Is this a joke?

It takes 2 minutes and 17 seconds to wash the hood. Bucket + cloth + towel = clean.

moondoggy

03-14-2009 06:00 PM

baby oil, rub it, let sit for a minute, then rub it out, Works everytime ;)

dad	03-14-2009 06:09 PM

I use a spray bottle of tap water, spray , let it sit 30 sec., and use paper towels.

arcticreaver

03-14-2009 06:14 PM

those methods above will not harm the paint right?

Minicobra1

03-14-2009 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcticreaver (Post 43740)

okay just washed the car. 3 hours later, i spotted a bird dropping on my hood.

what is the safest way to remove bird droppings without re-washing the car?

Meguiars Ulimate Quick detailer. I use it everytime the birds attack :mad: In fact I just used it on the car this afternoon, they laid a trail of spots over the top of the car. This stuff puts down a really deep shine and protects in between washes. Make sure you use a microfiber towel as well :tiphat:
see links:

Meguiar's Direct Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer™

Ultra Microfiber Towels - 10 pack

SHIFT_Z

03-14-2009 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad (Post 43758)

I use a spray bottle of tap water, spray , let it sit 30 sec., and use paper towels.

Paper towel is like sandpaper to a cars paint. Microfiber cloth works..

dad	03-14-2009 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHIFT_Z (Post 43781)

Paper towel is like sandpaper to a cars paint. Microfiber cloth works..

Whoooops sorry! You are correct!

arcticreaver

03-14-2009 09:53 PM

thanks for the tips guys. got your PM, dad.

btw - i got the quick detailer from meguiars as well but the directions say spray at a clean surface though.

Greasy

03-15-2009 03:50 AM

DON'T rub it. Bird crap is decently granular, it will scratch. Try to soften it up as much as possible, and place a warm damp towel on top of it. This should lift it up and off.

DIGItonium

03-15-2009 12:18 PM

Oh yea, Quick Detailer spray is awesome... but not after you waxed your car. It'll smudge easily.

xTIMMYxCOREx

04-15-2010 09:25 AM

What about Roadsters... What if the bird poops on your soft top? Any tips for cleaning that?

gamallama

04-15-2010 04:56 PM

I would clean it with sandpaper

vipor

04-15-2010 05:28 PM

I keep a few things in my car at all times. Found a box the perfect width to fit into the cubby thing behind my seat.

Quick Detailer
Glass Cleaner
Tire Shine
Interior Cleaner
MF Towels
Shop Rags (Check oil, wipe stuff off wheels)

Junkman2008

04-19-2010 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondoggy (Post 43756)

baby oil, rub it, let sit for a minute, then rub it out, Works everytime ;)

NO. This will create more damage than the bird droppings have already done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad (Post 43758)

I use a spray bottle of tap water, spray , let it sit 30 sec., and use paper towels.

Okay, you already know the error of your ways with that paper towel suggestion. My face almost got stuck from cringing!

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcticreaver (Post 43759)

those methods above will not harm the paint right?

Wrong. They will help destroy your paint.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHIFT_Z (Post 43781)

Paper towel is like sandpaper to a cars paint. Microfiber cloth works..

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greasy (Post 43836)

DON'T rub it. Bird crap is decently granular, it will scratch. Try to soften it up as much as possible, and place a warm damp towel on top of it. This should lift it up and off.

:iagree:

However, once you get it soft enough, you want to flip the dropping up onto the microfiber towel. It takes a flip of the wrist and a little practice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIGItonium (Post 43893)

Oh yea, Quick Detailer spray is awesome... but not after you waxed your car. It'll smudge easily.

That totally depends on the detail spray you're using and whether or not you allowed the wax to setup properly. When done correctly, that issue will not occur.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xTIMMYxCOREx (Post 497581)

What about Roadsters... What if the bird poops on your soft top? Any tips for cleaning that?

How old and what color is the top? Different colors and ages get different treatments for bird droppings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamallama (Post 498118)

I would clean it with sandpaper

You would get a detailing beat down! :icon17:

Here's the deal with bird dropping. If it stays on the car for 24 hours, etching has happened. You MUST address bird dropping immediately! Not doing so can really etch the paint bad.

xTIMMYxCOREx

04-19-2010 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkman2008 (Post 503249)

How old and what color is the top? Different colors and ages get different treatments for bird droppings.

Brand new 2010, BLack top.

Also woud you recommend treating the top with 303 Fabric Soft top protectant?

Junkman2008

04-19-2010 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xTIMMYxCOREx (Post 503273)

Brand new 2010, BLack top.

Also woud you recommend treating the top with 303 Fabric Soft top protectant?

Tooth brush with a gentle cleaner and some elbow grease. Black can fade if you use something too aggressive. Make sure you rinse the area thoroughly.

scrap

04-19-2010 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondoggy (Post 43756)

baby oil, rub it, let sit for a minute, then rub it out, Works everytime ;)

What about the bird droppings? O okay your where talking about the bird droopping my bet LOL

Push370zzz

04-20-2010 01:54 AM

Like everybody else said, but it is also a good idea to be preemptive and do as I did and invest in a BB gun. Probably take out about 10 of the little varmits a week

whoady4shoady

04-24-2010 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondoggy (Post 43756)

baby oil, rub it, let sit for a minute, then rub it out, Works everytime ;)

Apparently I am the only one who knew this was a joke right off the bat. LMAO!

370Zsteve

04-24-2010 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad (Post 43758)

I use a spray bottle of tap water, spray , let it sit 30 sec., and use paper towels.

:facepalm:

StealthZ

04-24-2010 02:03 PM

yes treat it with 303 fabric protectant. very good stuff. I use it as my main protectant for fabric tops from cars to boats and works very well against UV damage when applied properly and at regular intervals. And for bird crap, I love Optimum Instant detailer for keeping inthe car with a few cobra microfiber towels.

labk888

04-24-2010 02:39 PM

Go here. Detailed Image - Premium Auto Detailing Supplies They have tips and detailing faqs.and all the stuff you need to make your car shine.

There is only one side effect.. you are probably going to be broke after you spend all your $$ on detailing products.

StealthZ

04-24-2010 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by labk888 (Post 511467)

+1 to that :tup:
After I got started in detailing, I seem to try and find reasons to buy more products and detail my vehicles. So true with spending money on it, but the Z is worth it.

Junkman2008

04-25-2010 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve (Post 511211)

:facepalm:

:rofl2:

Sandra Dee

04-26-2010 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xTIMMYxCOREx (Post 497581)

What about Roadsters... What if the bird poops on your soft top? Any tips for cleaning that?

I just cleaned my fabric top with a product called RAGGTOPP. It worked great. I used a clean horsehair brush I bought from Great Britian. The horse hair came out here and there from scrubbing albeit gently. So after it dried I used a roll type lint remover which worked great.
RAGGTOPP also sells a protectant. I went ahead and did that too since I was not sure if the cleaner stripped the waterproofing out. It was very easy-even for a girl. lol

zmyride

04-26-2010 07:14 PM

1. Spray the affected area with water and let it sit for 1 minute.
2. Use a new wet Bounce dryer sheet(that you use for your clothes) and gently rub the area. Donot apply pressure.
3. Wipe off with a microfiber towel.

This won't leave a dull surface on the paint. Repeat until the droppings are completely gone.

I always leave a couple extra Bounce dryer sheet in my Z for these types of emergency.

Junkman2008

04-26-2010 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zmyride (Post 514530)

Ooooh, very bad advice.

I have seen this Bounce dryer sheet thing posted on another forum and had to dispel it there too. That dryer sheet will scratch the hell out of your paint. The guy I was explaining it to said that he does it and his paint was flawless. When I asked him to do the flash test, he never posted again.

It never fails. When you make a guy really see his paint for how bad it really is due to bad paint maintenance practices, they usually ball up in the fetal position and cry really hard. :icon23:

zmyride

04-26-2010 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkman2008 (Post 514652)

uh, i'm not surprised someone will think this is a bad idea. Have you tried it? i tried it a hundred times on my three other cars.

the trick is not to apply pressure. most people don't follow instructions well and blame on the tools. It's not the Bounce dryer sheet that scratched their paint, it's how they do it.

Junkman2008

04-26-2010 10:48 PM

If Bounce was made for your car's paint, it would be sold in automotive paint stores. Because of what I know about paint, how it gets damaged and how to fix it, I don't have to try it in order to know how bad of an idea it is. All you have to do is take a look at my introduction thread to verify that. However, just as I told someone else here, I'll say this again. If you want to know how much a guy knows about paint care, just take a look at his paint.

Do this. Set your digital camera for macro and shoot the flash off into the paint. Make sure you get the flash going off. Post your results here. This will give us an idea as to if your paint maintenance skills are up to par.

http://www.pc-surgeon.net/images/cfo...eup_paint1.jpg

http://www.pc-surgeon.net/images/cfo...eup_paint2.jpg

http://www.pc-surgeon.net/images/cfo...eup_paint3.jpg

http://www.pc-surgeon.net/images/cfo...eup_paint4.jpg

http://www.pc-surgeon.net/images/cfo...eup_paint6.jpg

http://www.pc-surgeon.net/images/cfo...eup_paint5.jpg

http://www.pc-surgeon.net/images/cforum/slo-cut4.jpg

http://www.pc-surgeon.net/images/cforum/slo-cut5.jpg

I'm dying to see your results. :)

Sandra Dee

04-27-2010 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vipor (Post 498148)

thanks Vipor-+1 rep for you!!!!

Sandra Dee

04-27-2010 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkman2008 (Post 503249)

NO. This will create more damage than the bird droppings have already done.

Okay, you already know the error of your ways with that paper towel suggestion. My face almost got stuck from cringing!

Wrong. They will help destroy your paint.

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

:iagree:

However, once you get it soft enough, you want to flip the dropping up onto the microfiber towel. It takes a flip of the wrist and a little practice.

That totally depends on the detail spray you're using and whether or not you allowed the wax to setup properly. When done correctly, that issue will not occur.

How old and what color is the top? Different colors and ages get different treatments for bird droppings.

You would get a detailing beat down! :icon17:

Here's the deal with bird dropping. If it stays on the car for 24 hours, etching has happened. You MUST address bird dropping immediately! Not doing so can really etch the paint bad.

I watched your video Junkman! you are awesome with that California Duster and showing how the detail spray can scratch your paint if put on a dusty car w/o removing the dust first. Thanks!!!!

Sandra Dee

04-27-2010 09:22 AM

for Junkman

I added +2 reps for you!

Junkman2008

04-27-2010 09:39 AM

Thanks folks! I'm new to this rep thing. I haven't figured it out yet but I can see that it must be a good thing! :D

Thano

04-27-2010 10:31 AM

Junkman has a TON of automotive detailing knowledge. I'm going with what he says :tup:

Junkman2008

04-27-2010 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thano (Post 515223)

Junkman has a TON of automotive detailing knowledge. I'm going with what he says :tup:

I am still learning! You can never know it all and the industry continually changes. ;)

Sandra Dee

04-27-2010 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thano (Post 515223)

Junkman has a TON of automotive detailing knowledge. I'm going with what he says :tup:

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

zmyride

04-27-2010 03:51 PM

Hey Junkman,

what do those photos have anything to do with Bounce dryer sheets? Are you saying those swirls and scratches on your photos were caused by dryer sheets?

I agree with you, taking flashes pics will reveal scratches, if I take pics of the side, rear, top of the car where i never use the dryer sheets, i'm sure the scratches still reveal. In other words, the scratches were caused by a lot of things, not because of the dryer sheets if you know how to use correctly.

I'll wait for a sunny day and detail/wax my car then take a few pics with flash and post here.

Junkman2008

04-27-2010 07:47 PM

What those pictures show is improper paint maintenance. It could be anything from cheap microfiber towels to washing the car with one bucket. Anytime you touch the paint is an opportunity to scratch it so if you decide to do so, you want to do it properly.

Now you say that you will take some pics after you do a detail. I can go take pictures of mine right now and it will be swirl free. That's because I practice proper paint maintenance at all times. That way, I am not constantly cutting clear coat off my car. If your paint is cared for properly, you can go shoot it now. Not after you have had a chance to correct it. Anyone can do that. I admit that I am OCD about my paint but it cost $7000 to paint it right. Not a ticket I care to pay!

zmyride

05-01-2010 02:27 PM

^ junkman, i saw some of your videos. I have to say i'm very impressed. You're a real pro. Props to you. you're a likable guy.

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