Paint Damage from bird droppings - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

sbsyncro · #1 (**permalink**) 07-06-2005, 11:40 PM

Well, I got bombed yesterday on my Salsa Red DC with only 1500 miles on it. I was in the office all day long and the three poops sat on the paint baking in the hot sun. The truck had previously been completely gone over with Zaino's clay bar, #5 swirl reducer (with ZFX), then #2 for clear coat (also with ZFX), and then with detailing spray. The last complete wax was about a month ago. It gets washed every weekend.

I washed the turds off this morning and they left marks in the clear coat - man am I bummed. I polished like crazy with Zaino's #5 (swirl reducer) but it only made a little bit of difference. Then I hit it with some Mother's "Cleaner Wax" and this made it better, but still definitely visible when viewed from the side. Finally, I busted out my Zaino's clay bar and hit the area right around one of the the turds for about 35 seconds of swirling motion, wiped, checked, and then hit it again. This was then followed up with another dose of Mother's "Cleaner Wax" and a top coat of Zaino's #5.

The end result? Still a very noticeable stain in the clear coat.

Is my clear coat ruined? I had assumed that the total Zaino's treatment would have provided some protection, but apparently not. Even the crap-splatters from one of the bigger turds on the hood have left seemingly permanent marks.

Man am I bummed.

BTW, some may notice this is cross-posted to another thread on this forum - I apologize, but after five pages about removing bugs and tar, I was afraid my important post about bird crap might get ignored.

JaredPointer · #2 (**permalink**) 07-07-2005, 10:18 AM

If it has etched into the clear, you may want to start out by using a mildly abrasive polish. Something like Meg's ColorX by hand, or if you have a PC, Cyclo, or rotary you could use something like Meg's professional line of polishes ,or one of the many "boutique" brnads of polishes - Poorboy's World is one of the most user friendly I have found. If that doesn't help, you may have to resort to wetsanding to remove the etching.

Quite possibly, it could be staining, in which case a chemical cleaner polish would help reduce the stain. You may also want to try a vinegar/water solution before you get too aggressive with it. Soak a microfiber towel and let it sit on the stain and it should help break it up/make it easier to remove.

You may also want to start keeping a microfiber towel and some sort of QD or waterless wash in the truck to remove bird droppings ASAP.

Keep in mind that waxes and sealants (no matter the brand - Zaino included) are a sacrificial barrier (and very thin), so something as potent as bird poo will do a number on them very quickly.

sbsyncro · #3 (**permalink**) 07-07-2005, 12:15 PM

Thanks. This is the first dark-colored car I have ever owned, and I had no idea that bird turds were so damaging. I've had my white and silver cars crapped on plenty of times and never really worried about it. One of these turds landed right above the driver's side door handle, so I get to see the damage every time I get into the car.

I'll try the vinegar trick. If that doesn't work, it will be off to the professional detailer to get them taken care of. I wonder if there is any benefit to waiting or doing them sooner...

sbsyncro · #4 (**permalink**) 07-18-2005, 01:20 AM

I had resigned myself to having poop-damaged paint for the life of the truck, but with the help of the folks over at Autopia Car Care, I fixed the horrible stains in my clear coat with just a little elbow grease. They recommended Sonus SFX-2 and it worked wonders!

I put a little on a damp microfiber sponge and rubbed it in a circular motion on the largest of the stains (about the size of a silver dollar). After about 2 minutes of rubbing, I buffed it off with another microfiber towel and voila! The stain (which looked REALLY bad) was gone. No need for a power buffer. Man was I happy! :-)

Rlockyer · #5 (**permalink**) 07-18-2005, 01:26 AM

Now invest in a PC and a set of Lake County pads

hadtohaveblack · #6 (**permalink**) 08-11-2006, 10:30 AM

Hello,

I have researched the Sonus product and then called their Tech Support. I asked Lynn about the duration of the spots as a factor and she feels to give it at try. Can you tell me how long the spots where on your vehicle before you cleaned it and then used the product? She added to use the Sonus Bundle kit that comes with a special applicator which generates heat as you rub that goes for around $24.00.

sbsyncro · #7 (**permalink**) 08-12-2006, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hadtohaveblack

Can you tell me how long the spots where on your vehicle before you cleaned it and then used the product?

The turds baked on the car for about 6 hours in the hot sun before I wiped them off. It was then about a week before I buffed them out.

TUNDRA RU · #8 (**permalink**) 08-12-2006, 03:26 PM

Looks like Zaino's offers no turd protection. I wonder if a teflon based wax would solve your problem. I have heard that if you use a solution of baking powder and water to the turd it will neutrilize the acid and stop the chemical reacition of the turd on your clear coat.

MOREPOWER · #9 (**permalink**) 08-12-2006, 04:35 PM

Bird crap is the worst stuff you can have drop on the paint.
Ive had three vehicles that have been damaged by bird crap,
now i just don't let it get on there when i can.
I found Teflon wont work only heavy coats of paste wax protect at all
only way Ive ever got them out if not too deep, is to wet sand with 1500
fallowed by 2000 grit then use 3m fine cut compound polish, mind you the
clear coat is not very thick.