Is this technique valid any more?

[Bill D]

One of the very first detailing tips I read way back was removing bird crap with seltzer water. As I recall, you could shake up a bottle and let the resulting pressurized water blast off the crap from your paint. For some reason or another I never tried this technique. Doesn't seem like this technique is popular.Is it still valid or does everyone simply use qd and /or a hose to clean bird crap?

[TOGWT]

Quote: Is this technique valid any more?
~One mans opinion / observation~

Bird Excrement:
Contain highly acidic concentrates, which if left for any length of time will etch the paint film surface, so they should be removed without delay. They also contain seed and sand, so always thoroughly flush with capacious amounts of clean water and remove with care so as to avoid scratching the paint film surface.

With sand/seed etc being propelled by a high pressure jet…mmmm why isn’t this technique valid?

~Hope this helps~


Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/

justadumbarchitect * so i question everything*

[Scottwax]

I normally spray some QD on the bird bomb, let it sit about 30-60 seconds then wipe away...and then promise myself to shoot any birds in the area.

[prowler]

I haven't seen an old-fashioned seltzer bottle in years - do they still exist? Did the seltzer man go the way of the milkman? The only seltzer I know of that's available around here is bottled the same as soda (with screw-tops).

[Bill D]

I was afraid too about the concept of jetting water on the poo that could contain gravel and other abrasives. The info about the seltzer water came from carecareonline.com Once a print article, its now included on the site:

Bird presents are one of the most damaging "natural" disasters that attack our paint. (I have never seen a Yugo attacked by a bird, but just wait till your brand new pride and joy leaves the garage, they swoop in like someone rang the free birdseed bell.) I don't know what we are feeding the birds, but what comes out of the south end of a northbound bird is highly acidic. The longer we leave these psychedelic bird presents on our paint, the more damage they will cause. The acids tend to etch a microscopic pond shaped depression in the paint. Removal as soon as possible will help minimize the damage. Instead of carrying a hose and bucket in your car, carry a bottle of no salt seltzer water. No salt seltzer water is nothing more than water and carbon dioxide which will not harm your paint. When needed, take off the cap, place your thumb over the top, shake well and you have a fire hydrant that will wash the worst of the bird's thoughtful gift from your paint. Try to rub this area as little as possible. Birds use gravel to digest their food and grit is one of the major components of their presents. If you try and rub off the solids, you may scratch the paint. Once you have gotten home and had a chance to wash the area with car wash, rinsed thoroughly and dried, use a little Meguiar #34 or One Grand Show Off to help remove any leftover acids. When you have the time, give the area a coat of wax. If the acids have left a slight mark in the paint, see the article on cleaning your paint. 3M Imperial Hand Glaze will usually remove all traces.


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[Accumulator]

Bill D- I dunno, I see a few things wrong in that article. Spraying the seltzer as they suggest would sure make a mess (guano and seltzer everywhere), and while it might DILUTE the acids in the guano, it wouldn't really NEUTRALIZE them. Alcohol will, and #34 contains alcohol, and will lubricate things a bit too (hopefully reducing marring). SO I'd just carry the #34 and a VERY soft, plush MF (or other VERY soft toweling).

Also, I dunno about needing to use the #34 AFTER a regular wash. AND the use of IHG to "*remove* all traces" of etching sounds like a misapplication of that product to me.

A bit too many things sound "off" in that article for my taste.

[SVR]

Another good way to remove them safely is by using alcohol free baby wipes. Put one wipe onto the bird droppings and let it sit for 30 seconds or so. Then very softely wipe over the surface once. Should all be gone and a quick squirt with 3M Gloss enhancer afterwards will finish off the job

[4DSC]

Forum Outage Abbreviated Recap:

I've never heard of this technique either. I think a better and reusable solution would be just to have a large-ish squeeze bottle in the trunk of your car.

I'm going to scrounge up a dish detergent bottle and try using that. If the nozzle is too large for good pressure I may try replacing it with a "yorker"(?) capped tip. I've been pretty lucky for bird bombs lately though, so I'll see how it goes...