Bird crap is killing me

**yachtfisher** · 09-14-2009, 06:43 PM

Help please

I wash/detail in the water boats is So. Cal marinas, and the birds are killing me and the boats.

I have tried a number of different produts to loosen/break down the dried dung.

I know Vinagar is susposed to work..........it really does nothing.

Sine we have weekly wash contracts and the market will only bear so much money say 65 - $75.00 for 45-50 flybridge sportfishers with large Isenglass enclosures. I can`t just raise the price.

Does anyone know of a reasonably priced product (or not) , that could be used on gelcoat and vinyl enclosures that would actually work.

We just loose money every time we wash certain boats.

Any help would be very much appreciated

**Jokeman** · 09-15-2009, 09:40 AM

Poop-Off, you get it at Petco

**yachtfisher** · 09-16-2009, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by Jokeman

Poop-Off, you get it at Petco

Thanks, I actually went to Petco and was going to try it, but $19.00 for 32oz and not knowing if it works coupled with the extreamly thin profit margins I have kept me from buying.

You ever use it on sun baked Seabird crap ?

**Jokeman** · 09-16-2009, 05:56 PM

Its only 13.99 from properautocare. I have used it on some bird crap that was dried up for a while and it worked fairly well. I never found anything that you can spray on and easily wipe off the poop. Ive always had to scrub a little bit.

**BigAl3** · 09-16-2009, 06:13 PM

maybe give this a try...

**yachtfisher** · 09-17-2009, 07:59 AM

Thanks guys I appreciate it.

I had tried a bug/tar remover that didn`t do anything but will check out the one you suggested if it`s good

Jokeman, thanks for the tip with proper auto care.

I expect to have to scrub, but the way things are now its just out of hand.

**Mark77** · 09-26-2009, 05:19 AM

Are we talking about just getting it off or also removing the stains they might leave?? A Pressure washer and a good APC I guess would be a good investment..

Doesn`t sound much to get 65-75$ for a 45-50 flybridge...

**yachtfisher** · 09-29-2009, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by Mark77

Are we talking about just getting it off or also removing the stains they might leave?? A Pressure washer and a good APC I guess would be a good investment..

Doesn`t sound much to get 65-75$ for a 45-50 flybridge...

Yes to both questions, trying to remove solids and the stains.

I would say the removal of the solids was the most important, mostly on the roofs or hard tops, so the cosmetics are not as critical, but still important.

Pressure washer is a good idea and I have used before, but it is a super pain in the butt to lug down to the boats then up on the roof.

As for what we make you are absolutly right, it`s too cheap.

Believe it or not I am more expensive than others, and have had people drop or grumble about the price. I think So. Cal has got to be the worst market as for what can be charged. When I look on the internet I see east coast, and great lakes area detailers charge a hell of a lot more.

**Tarpon Marine** · 01-10-2010, 08:40 AM

in response to the bird crap:

you need to first try an all pupose cleaner on the pile to loosen it and clean it if not all the way and then for the staining you need to you use an acid. Any oxalic acid or phosphoric acid mix will do the trick. Nothing will remove the stain except an acid!

Also for those size boats you need to be at least $120-$150 for a weekly wash-down otherwise your just wasting your time. If you feel your losing customers then hopefully you will outweigh your lose with what you do keep. To do a full cleaning on a 45-50 sportfish takes minimum 3 guys 1 1/2 hours, probably closer to two. Unless you raise your wash-down prices, this is where you will lose $$.

**ezemsm444** · 01-10-2010, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by yachtfisher

Thanks, I actually went to Petco and was going to try it, but $19.00 for 32oz and not knowing if it works coupled with the extreamly thin profit margins I have kept me from buying.

You ever use it on sun baked Seabird crap ?

Look up the msds of the product, you might be able to find out what the active chemical is and just make your own.