Paint etching from bird poo

[Ronkh]

Langka may be better for this, but I didn`t have luck when I tried it.

[The Driver]

Explain the risks, then let him decide.

Personally I`d go with a plastic razor first, then if it seems to be level compound. Worst case a little wetsand with 3000 can`t hurt unless it`s through the clear. If it is, I`d would recommend you send them to a touch up specialist.

[The Driver]

You want to talk about uber-bird-poop - you should see what Canadian Geese do as they fly over the Northwest back and forth...

They stopped in the neighborhood I used to live in up there, and take leisurely strolls, crapping all over everything at ground level..
OMG !!!!!

Our PureBred German Shepherds kept them from making a mess in the front and back yards, but other people had to deal with it at a more up close and personal, level...
Dan F

I hate geese... There like grumpy old birds. All they do is hiss, piss an poop.

[512detail]

Langka may be better for this, but I didn`t have luck when I tried it.

Explain the risks, then let him decide.

Personally I`d go with a plastic razor first, then if it seems to be level compound. Worst case a little wetsand with 3000 can`t hurt unless it`s through the clear. If it is, I`d would recommend you send them to a touch up specialist.

I`m just afraid that if I try and flake this off with the plastic razor it might get a little larger. And touch up paint directly over it obviously wouldn`t last.

I feel 100% comfortable fixing the rock chips on the front end-although I have no idea what to charge him.

I originally told him I did not feel comfortable taking this `touch up` spot job on- but he kind of talked me into it saying he didn`t want to have to go to a body shop. He was mostly afraid if he took it to a body shop they were going to tell him he needed to repaint the whole door, side panel,etc.
The marks in question are on the top of the rear passenger door and above the rear passenger qtr panel. There are also a couple of spattered spots of the similar etching on the drivers side rear qtr panel as well.

[The Driver]

I`m just afraid that if I try and flake this off with the plastic razor it might get a little larger. And touch up paint directly over it obviously wouldn`t last.

I feel 100% comfortable fixing the rock chips on the front end-although I have no idea what to charge him.

I originally told him I did not feel comfortable taking this `touch up` spot job on- but he kind of talked me into it saying he didn`t want to have to go to a body shop. He was mostly afraid if he took it to a body shop they were going to tell him he needed to repaint the whole door, side panel,etc.
The marks in question are on the top of the rear passenger door and above the rear passenger qtr panel. There are also a couple of spattered spots of the similar etching on the drivers side rear qtr panel as well.

Listen...

I`m just going to tell you this straight out from past experience. DO NOT EVER LET A CUSTOMER PRESSURE YOU INTO DOING SOMETHING, no matter how much it may "save them" the fact is they are looking for the cheapest way to get it done and in some cases that might lead to you footing the repair bill. I can tell you customers may like you and the work you do but when push comes to shove they will almost always make you foot the bill regardless of how much warning you gave them. The fact is you are liable.

My whole thing is, if a customers too cheap to fix it right, I almost certainly know they`ll have no problem making me accountable for their "cheapness" to do it right in the first place.

Do what you can, what ever you don`t feel comfortable doing... don`t. One of the most important parts of business is standing up and saying no.

Lastly, don`t forget it was his neglect that caused this. Those spots are old, worn and burned in... that doesn`t happen overnight. I have no sympathy for stuff like that. It`s not our job to save people money because they neglected their car. No one "needs" a perfect looking car to get to work

[512detail]

Listen...

I`m just going to tell you this straight out from past experience. DO NOT EVER LET A CUSTOMER PRESSURE YOU INTO DOING SOMETHING, no matter how much it may "save them" the fact is they are looking for the cheapest way to get it done and in some cases that might lead to you footing the repair bill. I can tell you customers may like you and the work you do but when push comes to shove they will almost always make you foot the bill regardless of how much warning you gave them. The fact is you are liable.

My whole thing is, if a customers too cheap to fix it right, I almost certainly know they`ll have no problem making me accountable for their "cheapness" to do it right in the first place.

Do what you can, what ever you don`t feel comfortable doing... don`t. One of the most important parts of business is standing up and saying no.

Lastly, don`t forget it was his neglect that caused this. Those spots are old, worn and burned in... that doesn`t happen overnight. I have no sympathy for stuff like that. It`s not our job to save people money because they neglected their car. No one "needs" a perfect looking car to get to work

You are exactly correct. I kind of got that feeling as well.

I am going to let him know that I will do the road rash repair on his front hood and bumper but I`m not comfortable doing the other repairs because I just don`t feel I could do the best job possible and that is the ultimate goal here. I would have no problem taking a stab at it if it were my own vehicle but on another`s I just don`t want to take the risk of having to foot any bill for further repairs should this not turn out well.

[davidc]

From what I see the only fix is repaint. I know the customer does not want to hear it but it is what it is.

Dave