The Best Way to Remove Bird Poop When a Car Wash Isn’t Enough

If you’re like me, you like your car to look clean, inside and out. I can tolerate some dust from the road, but bird poop? That’s a different story. Since my car is black, even the smallest mess stands out like a sore thumb. I can’t stand to leave it sitting, especially during summer when the heat can bake it into the paint and cause damage.

I usually wash my car by hand, but recently I was short on time and took it to a local car wash. A few minutes later, my car rolled out looking shiny, except for one glaring issue: the bird poop was still there!

So, was this just a fluke, or are automatic car washes not equipped to handle stubborn bird droppings? Read on to find out what really works, with expert insights from Dan Mastroianni with Gary Rome Car Wash.

What Makes Bird Poop So Hard to Remove From a Car?

Especially during hot weather, bird poop quickly dries and hardens on the surface of your car, making it difficult to remove. “Bird poop is quite acidic and will etch into the clear coat,” Mastroianni says, further hindering removal. If left too long, it can cause permanent etching or discoloration in the paint, even after the poop is removed. That’s why quick action is so important to preserve your car’s finish and prevent costly paint damage.

Can a Car Wash Get Bird Poop Off a Car?

Car washes can get bird poop off your car, but it depends on how long the droppings have been on the car and what type of car wash you use. Fresh droppings are much easier for most automatic car washes to remove, while dried or baked-on poop may require more targeted cleaning.

Some car washes offer pre-soak or bug-and-tar treatments that can help loosen stubborn messes. However, for older or hardened droppings, a hand wash or spot treatment can be the most effective and safest method.

Which type of car wash will remove bird poop from a car?

When it comes to car washes, opt for one with brushes rather than a touchless facility. Touchless car washes can be helpful to remove light amounts of fresh bird poop that is not hard and dried, but “automated car washes with brushes work better when it comes to bird droppings baked in by the sun,” Mastroianni says. “The advantage is the friction from the brushes, where touchless washers will have a bit of trouble with it.”

He also suggests finding a car wash that has attendants who pre-treat your car before entering. “We have two attendants who use a pressure wash to prep all sides of your car before you go through,” he says. This helps loosen dirt, and allows the attendants to target specific spots, like bird poop.

Different tier washes can make a difference as well. “Our lowest tier wash for $10 does not have side blasters and undercarriage sprayers, but our three upper tier washes do use these,” he says. These additional sprayers can do a better job at cleaning your car, especially trouble spots like bird poop.

Methods to Quickly Remove Bird Poop Off Car

High-pressure rinse

Mastroianni says removing bird poop with high-pressure water is the best way to go. Use a garden hose with a spray nozzle attachment and direct the water at the bird droppings to soften and remove the bird poop without scrubbing. “Never take a damp cloth and try to rub bird poop off your car,” Mastroianni says. “Bird poop can be gritty and rubbing it can leave microscratches in the paint.” For especially stubborn spots, spray and let it soak for a few minutes, then spray again.

Soak then rinse

For dried bird poop, lay a damp microfiber cloth on the spot for five to 10 minutes to soften it. Remove the cloth and rinse with high pressure water. For stubborn droppings that remain, repeat the process.

Low-pressure rinse

For fresh bird poop, use a hose to rinse clean.

About the Expert

• Dan Mastroianni is general manager of Gary Rome Car Wash in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

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