How To Remove Bird Poo From Your Car

If you're like me, your car is your pride and joy. You've poured your hard-earned money into it, so you take care of it, hoping to enjoy years of reliable service and maintain its resale value. However, sometimes Mother Nature intervenes, and your car's paint job falls victim to elements like tree sap and bird droppings.

You might not realise just how harmful these substances can be. Both tree sap and bird droppings can permanently damage your car's paint if not addressed promptly. Though natural, these materials usually contain high levels of acidity. They can etch into the paint if left on your car for too long.

The resulting damage resembles dull water spots that don't easily wash away. While your car's paint is visually appealing, it also serves as a protective coating. Sap and bird droppings can erode this layer, leading to paint cracking or flaking and exposing the metal underneath to rust.

That’s why it’s important to deal with bird poo or sap on your car as quickly as possible, and here’s how.

Wash Your Car Straight Away

If you spot sap or bird droppings on your car, wash them off immediately. Visit a car wash before they dry, as removal becomes significantly harder once they harden on the paint. Opt for a touchless car wash, as bird droppings can be gritty and potentially scratch the paint if agitated with a brush. Similarly, tree sap can smear, creating an even larger mess to clean up.

Remove Dried-On Sap or Bird Poo

If you can’t get to a car wash or notice it until it’s dried, you might still be able to avoid corroding your paint. Here are some tips to help:

• To soften the sap on your car, park it in the sun for about 10 minutes. Next, apply a high-quality road tar and sap remover using a microfiber cloth to gently dissolve the tree sap on your paintwork. Wash your car thoroughly once the sap is removed to eliminate any leftover residue.
• Gently soften bird droppings with a damp cloth. Opt for a cotton or microfiber cloth, as paper towels can be abrasive and may scratch your paint. Carefully pick the droppings off with your fingers instead of wiping them away. Repeat the process until all traces of bird droppings are removed.
• If you don’t want to be ‘hands-on’ to clean the goo off your car, you can try spraying car cleaner on it to soften it. Then go through the car wash to remove the contaminant.

Fix the Damage

Depending on acidity levels, paint damage can occur in as little as 10 minutes. If you notice round marks resembling water spots on your paint, you may be able to remedy the issue. Use a high-quality car polish on the affected areas, rubbing until the marks fade. 

If manual efforts fail, a professional car detailer can often remove sap and bird-dropping marks with a power polish. Once the damage is addressed, protect your car's finish by waxing the paint. This seals the surface and prevents future damage when a bird decides to target your vehicle.

If you’ve read this far, you obviously care about your car. A lot. So next time you need a service, repair or inspection, visit AutoGuru.