bird droppings

[cotteville]

I have a black 99 BMW . I was it pretty frequently with Zymol concurs. Recently I noticed some bird droppings on my car . After washing the car, it seems the paint is permanently damaged. I used a clay bar and then even compound. This zymol wax is pretty expensive and if this continues the paint is going to look terrible. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am new to this forum and appreciate everybody's help

John

[///M3ryder NY]

Originally posted by cotteville
I have a black 99 BMW . I was it pretty frequently with Zymol concurs. Recently I noticed some bird droppings on my car . After washing the car, it seems the paint is permanently damaged. I used a clay bar and then even compound. This zymol wax is pretty expensive and if this continues the paint is going to look terrible. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am new to this forum and appreciate everybody's help

John

The acidity of the droppings probably etched your clear coat. Clay bar will NEVER remove that. The only way to effectively do so will be to break down the clear a bit with a mild abrasive like 3M Finesse-It II Machine Polish. This has to be done with a machine, not by hand. Preferably a Porter Cable, random orbital. I've had the same thing happen, and it took 2 or 3 apps. of FI-II to get rid of it.

Hope this helps!

[G. P. Burdell]

Keep a bottle of water in your car and flush the affected area as soon as you spot a bird dropping. Don't wipe, as there may be grit in the bird droppings, but dab lightly and flush liberally.

[cotteville]

Hi:

I think I may go with the 3M product. Last question. Someone mentioned "wet-sanding". would this be better and who would do this ? a body shop or a detailing shop

Thanks a lot!

[///M3ryder NY]

Originally posted by cotteville
Hi:

I think I may go with the 3M product. Last question. Someone mentioned "wet-sanding". would this be better and who would do this ? a body shop or a detailing shop

Thanks a lot!

Wet Sanding a small spot like that is overkill! Nor do I know of a shop that will wet sand any area smaller than one body panel. You'll pay a hefty fee just for that!

Try what I suggested above. If that doesn't work you can always take it to a shop to have them use a more abrasive compound with a rotary buffer. A shop rotary will break that down with no trouble at all!

[///M3ryder NY]

Originally posted by G. P. Burdell
Keep a bottle of water in your car and flush the affected area as soon as you spot a bird dropping. Don't wipe, as there may be grit in the bird droppings, but dab lightly and flush liberally.

This is fine if you catch the dropping while it's still pretty "fresh". Otherwise a strong spray from a hose works best. I myself prefer to carry a bottle of QD with me, that works even better than water on a fresh dropping!

[cotteville]

Thanks for the advice. I am going to get the 3m and give it a try

[///M3ryder NY]

Originally posted by cotteville
Thanks for the advice. I am going to get the 3m and give it a try

Reminder: The stuff I'm referring to is best applied with a random orbital polisher or the like... This isn't something that is easy to work by hand, nor is it recommended by 3M.

Good luck!

[cotteville]

well I tried the 3m product three times today with an orbital polisher with not an ounce of luck. I guess the pait has been etched for too long. I think that I am going to visit a body shop and see what they can do. I have three nasty spots on the front hood and two on the rear deck. This is my dream car so I really want it perfect. If I can get mine to look like that 98 M3 I will be real happy

Thanks

[Balthazarr]

I have to concur with MRyder on the Meguiars QD.
Even after nearly a day on the body, the droppings are easily removed.
Water will soften and dilute the material, but not neutralize it's affects.
pH plays a part.

[///M3ryder NY]

Originally posted by cotteville
well I tried the 3m product three times today with an orbital polisher with not an ounce of luck. I guess the pait has been etched for too long. I think that I am going to visit a body shop and see what they can do. I have three nasty spots on the front hood and two on the rear deck. This is my dream car so I really want it perfect. If I can get mine to look like that 98 M3 I will be real happy

Thanks

Wow man, sorry to hear that. It must have really sat there and etched the clear pretty deep. A much stronger body shop compound may be in order! :az:

[cotteville]

Thanks, I contacted a body shop that has a good reputation and he will wet sand the hood and polish for 60 bucks. Hopefully that should do the trick?

[nmadd]

Sorry to hear about your problem. Good luck with the body shop and let us know how it turns out. :)

[cotteville]

well the verdict is in after three different visits to three different body shops. They all said the same thing. It's is a black car and the bird droppings baked into the paint too long and that the hood would have to be painted. I think that I am going to try to continue to make my car a beautiful as possible. I greatly everyone's advice

[Balthazarr]

That's tough.

Whenever i see bird shit on my car, I feel my BP rise and my head gets warm.

:mad:

[///M3ryder NY]

Originally posted by cotteville
well the verdict is in after three different visits to three different body shops. They all said the same thing. It's is a black car and the bird droppings baked into the paint too long and that the hood would have to be painted. I think that I am going to try to continue to make my car a beautiful as possible. I greatly everyone's advice

Wow dude, that's rough. Sorry! :(

For everyone's information...can you let us know approx. how long it sat on there baking?

[emPoWaH]

I read that QD removes the majority of the bird droppings, but the acid remains and blooms until you neutralize the paint with isopropyl alcohol. Who knows... but I do know that a bottle of 50/50 water and alcohol can come in handy.

[monkey]

I've never use Zymol before, but isn't it supposed to protect paint. I've used Zaino for quite sometime and never have experienced a problem like that. I've gotten droppings on my car and let them sit for a few days before cleaning them off and they've never etched into the paint. Maybe the bird that crapped on your car had some bad spicy food. :)