Spot cleaning bird droppings etc.

[1st_nissan]

Does anyone have any tips on spot cleaning bird droppings, tree sap, etc?

How about car washes? I know brushes are bad but at least they actually wash the car. I've gone to a few brushless car washes with other cars and always have to wipe off bird droppings. Unfortunately we have no hose hookup in our townhouse so I can't wash it myself.

[0wn3r]

Does anyone have any tips on spot cleaning bird droppings, tree sap, etc?

How about car washes? I know brushes are bad but at least they actually wash the car. I've gone to a few brushless car washes with other cars and always have to wipe off bird droppings. Unfortunately we have no hose hookup in our townhouse so I can't wash it myself.

Same for me with the hose issue... if your brushless car wash doesn't have a sign saying "no bucket washing" then bring your own bucket(s), soap, and sponge. You'll get better results.

Bird's typically tend to crap on my car right after I've finished or am about to finish... but I guess you can do the same thing for spot cleaning... wet it down, use car soap/water/sponge or mixed in a soft rag and wet it down fully again when finished.

The occassional good coat of wax helps too

[MisfitBrian]

Does anyone have any tips on spot cleaning bird droppings, tree sap, etc?

How about car washes? I know brushes are bad but at least they actually wash the car. I've gone to a few brushless car washes with other cars and always have to wipe off bird droppings. Unfortunately we have no hose hookup in our townhouse so I can't wash it myself.

I usually carry a bottle of quick detailer & a mf towel in the car for bird scat. Just be careful & let the QD soak into the poop so you don't scratch the paint. As far as car washes, I usually get up early & take my buckets down to the DIY car wash to wash by hand.

[Meder]

You can always try a warterless wash. They do work great and many pro detailers prefer waterless washes unless the car is extremely dirty.

You may also want to look for other diy pay+spray car washes. I know there are 2-3 of them in my area no one uses. bring your buckets and soap/whatever and go to town.

For spot cleaning use a quick detail product. You will find several at your local autozone/pepboys.

[guitarmn07]

Yep, I do the same. Use Quick Detailer for touch ups (ie bird droppings and hand prints). I live in a townhouse and I don't have a hose hookup so I have to go to one of the DIY car washes...but I bring my own mit and bucket...no way I'm using those brush thingys on my baby!

You can always try a warterless wash. They do work great and many pro detailers prefer waterless washes unless the car is extremely dirty.

What exactly is a waterless wash?? Can I buy this stuff at Autozone or some other auto store??

[Meder]

I am not sure you can buy it at autozone. A waterless wash is basically a wipe on wipe off wash. Its a bucket with the solution + water and you wipe it on/dry it off as you would a quick detail spray. They are not very popular so I doubt you will see it in your local autozones.

They are becoming pretty known though so it wont be long. I have used them for 2 years or so and I can say they do an amazing job. Much like a detail spray, they have chemicals that help you avoid scratches.

Like all products some are better than others. There are a lot of crappy waterless washes out there. This is one of the better ones imo.

http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-no-rinse.html

[0wn3r]

if i'm washing the whole car, i'm taking a hose to it first to get the heavier dirt off.... not going to sit with the spone and rub that stuff in.

[audtatious]

I would tend to hit bird droppings relatively quickly. I have two places in the paint that are screwed up due to bird crap. I dunno what they were eating but it was something to do with berries. On the roof I have a dark spot and on my trunk lid it actually etched the paint.

[SHIFT_COUPE]

Those little buggers have done a number on a few spots on previous cars. My best recommendation is to get it off ASAP, you obviously don't want it sitting in the sun baking into your paint. I've used Quick Detailer and/or a hose to get something like that off. Just careful not to scratch your paint. You mentioned that you don't have access to a hose so any type of spray detailer with a good cloth should take care of it in between real car washings.

[MadBlackCoupe]

From what I understand, bird droppings are quite accidic in nature, so it will eat into the finish if you give it time.

[LongBeachCoupe]

What about putting a vinyl of an owl ontop of the car.. will it scare the birdies away?