I'm an idiot and I left bird crap on my car for a couple weeks. After I got it off, it left dark stains on my car. Is there anything I can use to restore it or am I screwed?

That's a good reason to get a whole new paint job. The stock one sucks anyways. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

Try using Mother's Clay Bar - that stuff rocks. If it can't get it out, you might be SOL.

Try using some polish it seems to work.

3M Finish Restorer.

Bird poop is really that much of a problem? I'll be out washing my car(!!) - I've heard too much about this. A

i've had bird crap leave slight stains on my car before but after a month or two and several washes, they arent there anymore so maybe its just temporary? i dunno for sure so maybe ya should try that finish restorer stuff

It definitely looks permanent. Don't make the same mistake I made! The second you see bird crap on your car, get it off asap or you'll be sorry. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try those. Also gotta try to wax out the many scratches on my car...

Keep a spray bottle and some paper towels in the car. Whenever you see the bird compliment, wipe it off.

If you are going to spray water to clean the bird dropping, you spray a lot of water on it. Seems like bird dropping is made of sand or something like that.

Paper towels and cotton cloths scratch my paint. Can you believe that? I dunno what to use to clean my car. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/frown.gif http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/mad.gif CHEAP PAINT!!! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/mad.gif

[This message has been edited by MagicMT (edited May 27, 2001).]

MagicMT,
What kind of cloth? I use at least 2 cotton made T-shirts to wash my car all the time. They are washed many times; the newly bought ones aren't good at all. At least 1 wet 1 dry, and I don't use soap at all. The paint still looks excellent on my Rally blue 98RS http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

Don't use paper towels since they are rough in surface, and WILL put scatches on paint surface. Speaking of which, I must goto my local bodyshop, since they have something (like wax) that once you put on car and rub, most minor scratches are gone! They just did my trunk and it looks nice!

Note: Well, not exactly brand new showroom color but way better than many same yr cars.

-Alan

I was using cotton terry cloth, but I guess I should use t-shirts. Thanks for the tip.

best thing to use is baby diapers.. yeah sounds weird but its works. The cotton ones they used back in the days. Its really soft 100% cotton and if your car is somewhat clean it won't scratch your car. I always keep a bottle of quick detailer or speed shine from Griots just in case the bird decides to pick my car out of 100. Be careful when removing the bird crap, it can scratch the paint if not removed carefully. Also if you leave it on your paint too long it will etch your paint and yes can be permanent. Try using a polish with a random orbital polisher to remove the spot on the paint, several times.

I second the baby diapers..nothing really works better.

MagicMT,
No problem http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif
I think baby diaper works just fine, although old T-shirts are cheaper (I have tons of them) and work excellent.

Make sure one thing though: The tag of T-shirt you should get it off completely, and if you want cut the whole sleeves leaving only the body part...so no sharp part that will damage the paint. When I said old T-shirt I do mean old (washed like at least 10+ times), since the cotton will become really soft and great for washing.

If spots are tough, DO NOT use hard force. Try soaking the spot really wet, then wipe off w/clean t-shirt. If not, use polish instead.

Good luck, and if you want some bodyshop owner, ask them to buff it up. Easy job and really helpful!

-Alan

I've had a few poops that could've peeled the paint off a car. It really depends on what the bird ate that day i guess

People,
Be carefull what kind of "cotton" towels you use.


Even though they say 100% cotton, the thred used to sew them is polyester, which WILL scrach you paint.

Really the best thing to use to wash with is a brush.....more importantaly a "boars hair" brush.....WHY..you ask.

Boars hair is one if the only natural hair that stay semi-stiff when wet.

Using a brush allows dirt to be rinsed out of the brissles when dunked into the wask bucket. ANY kind of man-made (poly) fibers will scrach, unless your talking about something like the "absorber" chamos.

Peas,
AaRoN

If your really into detailing and wanting to make the car look superb....check out www.griots.com (http://www.griots.com) They make some of THE best detailing stuff known to man.....http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Aaron'z 2.5RS (edited May 28, 2001).]

Being a former auto detailer, you tend to notice all the little tings that puts scratches in your paint. It happens to all cars, and more obvious in darker metallic colors. You just have to be careful when you wash it, to use a clean mitt, starting from the top down. On the bright side, A exterioir detail can do wonders for your car. They can buff all the swirls out, and wax it to a shine. Also, wax your car often. HAve fun.

MagicMT,
It happen to me too. It's my fault I let the bird dropping stay on the car for 2 days and when I clean it off, a stain mark left on the paint surface. I try the Meguiars Cleaner(the 3-step one)and it did remove the stain for a moment(couldn't see the stain for a day). But, after a day, the stain re-appear on the surface again!
Anyone has any idea how to remove that stain??
Will a clay bar work??

If you are in doubt as to whether a towel (or old t shirt) is really 100% cotton, cut off a small corner and burn it. 100% cotton will just burn, but synthetics kinda of melt, like when you burn the end of a poly rope to keep it from fraying.
I keep a small spray bottle of Griots Speed Shine and a diaper in the trunk of the car, so I can quickly clean any bird indiscretions.

All,
The paint may be "cheap", but never ever leave bird droppings OR wet leaves on the finish of your car. The chemical reaction will etch the paint on a Subaru just as it will a BMW. Just a tip.
Mike Gayle

You gotta stay vigilant!! The birds around here all have diarrhea! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

You can get some industrial 3m clear coat polish (like body shops use) to get the spiderwebs out of the paint. expensive, but man it does wonders for dark colored paint.