Bird etch question

I

imported_RedlineIRL

New member
This afternoon I came out to a pile of bird sh*t on the roof of my car, and was unable to get it cleaned off until I got home. It was sitting on it for maybe 3-4 hours my guess in 90 degree heat. It turns out after it cleaned it off there was a little bit of etching left over from where it sat. I don't understand why this happened, it hasn't even been 2 weeks since I've detailed my car and sealed it with Poorboy's EX and topped it with Collonite 845. I could see etching happening if I left it one for a day or longer, but a couple of hours? Does this seem right?



It seems like my combination of protection sucks for environmental protection. Looks like it's time to go back to 100% nuba.
 
i have not used either of the 2 products in question. Maybe the protection kept it near the top of the paint and it would be very easy to polish out. i have limited experiance with bird bombs.
 
RedlineIRL said:
............sealed it with Poorboy's EX and topped it with Collonite 845. I could see etching happening if I left it one for a day or longer, but a couple of hours? Does this seem right?................
Click to expand...
It all depends on the birds diet. Some bird bombs can be very acidic and etch in a matter of hours, while I've seen some sit on beaters for weeks and not cause any damage. The best thing is to carry a small bottle of QD and some MF's in the vehicle to get the bird bombs off as soon as possible. Even then you have to be careful because they digest grit so try to soak and flush away as much as possible.



I wouldn't completely discount the EX and 845, they might have kept it from etching into the paint more than it did. I'm not sure there is any sure LSP protection from some bird bombs.
 
The diet definately makes a difference. Seedeaters don't require the strong digestive juices that cormorants, pelicans, and other fisheaters do (to digest bones). I keep some ONR QD and MF in the truck at all times. The birds 'know' when you have just washed the vehicle. Good luck smoothing it out.
 
I have a bird perch right above my driveway (hydro wire) and my wife's car gets bombed pretty much daily, yet I've NEVER had any etching (at least not thus far).



I can't speak to the "diet" of birds or claim an expertise in bird sh*t, only my experience. I'd recommend chaning your LSP, or to invest in a trained falcon of some sort.
 
I parked my black car out in the sun while at work for the first time in a long time (usually in the parking garage which is a farther walk) and when I came back about 8 hours later I had a nice crap spot with berries mixed in on my hood. It was VERY difficult to get off. I'll admit it, I had to use my fingernail through a MF cloth. That's after several tries with just rubbing after soaking with QD. After finally getting it off there was an etched (?) spot. I tried polishing it out by hand real quick with ScratchX but no luck. I'm getting a UDM and hoping that will take it out.
 
The combination of a hot sunny day and a dark color and acidic bird poop will cause etching in a few hours. My 02 330i (orient blue) was at the dealer for servicing and they put it outside when they were done. When I picked it up that evening there was bs on the hood. The etching had to be wet sanded and buffed to remove it. I don't think any LSP will hold up to the combination of hot sun, dark color, and few hours to cook. Good luck !
 
RedlineIRL said:
.... I could see etching happening if I left it one for a day or longer, but a couple of hours? Does this seem right?....
Click to expand...

As the others mentioned, it’s really common and bird dependent.







RedlineIRL said:
.... I don't understand why this happened, it hasn't even been 2 weeks since I've detailed my car and sealed it with Poorboy's EX and topped it with Collonite 845. ...



...It seems like my combination of protection sucks for environmental protection. Looks like it's time to go back to 100% nuba.
Click to expand...

Don’t kid yourself. It’s not your choice of LSP’s.



If the armies of chemists at DuPont, PPG, BASF, et al can’t make a catalyzed, crosslinked, polyurethane plastic that’s applied in a tight-specification factory, under strict process controls, stand up to absurdly intense chemical attacks do you really think some glop you wipe on with a towel that dries to a billion times thinner film is going to stop it?



Not a chance.



The only thing you can do is clean it off ASAP and hope for the best.





PC.
 
Just be glad you had a new ap of 845 :up otherwise you could be looking at a lot more damage. Nothing is perfect but everything helps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top