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Incontinent pigeons

Posted: Fri May 11, 2018 9:59 pm
by Ian.g
We all expect the occasional bird dropping and those small ones that easily wipe off are not a problem. But in the last 2 weeks I have had 2 enormous bird droppings hit my car and when I have come to clean them off, they have set like cement. They are so hard that rubbing with a sponge (well I had to use something) took chunks out of the sponge. The ones on the roof are still partly stuck there because the 15 minutes I had when I tried to clean them off wasn't long enough! I am sure it must be the pigeons - although could be another large common bird I suppose.

So has anyone got any tips for removing bird droppigs that have set like cement? Other than getting the car detailed! I haven't dared use a plastic ice scraper in case it damages the paintwork - but I can't be doing spending 20 minutes removing the mess every time a pigeon c***s.

Re: Incontinent pigeons

Posted: Fri May 11, 2018 10:05 pm
by MCDK
Rubbing with a sponge sends a chill down my spine!!!

Autoglym bird dripping wipes are the answer. Set the wipe on top of the mess to soften it and then lift it off, no rubbing as that marks the paint. If the drippings are on for any time at all it's highly likely the clear coat on your paint will be damaged. Sometimes this self heals with heat but often will need machine polishing to sort.

Re: Incontinent pigeons

Posted: Fri May 11, 2018 10:17 pm
by Dandock
Seagulls?

I suffered a twin bombing last week. Not a particularly hot or sunny day but set about washing within a couple of hours and it had set like concrete.

I was in the car at the time and it sounded like it’d been hit by a couple of conkers.

My sympathies. Horrible stuff!

I gave it regular soakings with a hot, wet woolly with little result. I finished up gently rubbing with same. Good result in the end.

Re: Incontinent pigeons

Posted: Fri May 11, 2018 10:45 pm
by Paul
Urghh!

Long repeated soaks in warm soapy water (soak a sponge and rest said sponge over the poo...)

Rubbing (as mentioned above) is not recommended..

Re: Incontinent pigeons

Posted: Fri May 11, 2018 11:28 pm
by Col M
My record is 26 hits... pigeon roost in a tree by the communal car park.

I give you:

Re: Incontinent pigeons

Posted: Sat May 12, 2018 7:04 am
by Dandock
Paul wrote: ↑Fri May 11, 2018 10:45 pm Urghh!

Long repeated soaks in warm soapy water (soak a sponge and rest said sponge over the poo...)

Rubbing (as mentioned above) is not recommended..
But very gentle rubbing with very hot soapy stuff. :roll:

Re: Incontinent pigeons

Posted: Sat May 12, 2018 7:40 am
by Kasfranks99
This time of year and summer is awful.
Damn birds.

I keep Autoglym bird wipes in each car.

Read the below link on what happens and why is causes problems on the paint.

Then watch the YouTube video which you will then understand how you get etching off without a Polishing and using a hair dryer within a couple of minutes.

Bottom line is it needs to be removed ASAP but below gives understanding and possible solution if etched on. Most videos like the one above from forensic detailing are very good πŸ‘

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/parts ... droppings/


Re: Incontinent pigeons

Posted: Sat May 12, 2018 8:00 am
by nsm3
Pretty sure it is seagulls? I'm in the same area and they are a big problem. We had a deposit on our Q5 last week and I removed it within 3 hours using Supaguard bird lime remover and machine polished the area, but at the right angle, you can still see where the laquer coat has been etched. :evil:

Re: Incontinent pigeons

Posted: Sat May 12, 2018 12:09 pm
by Nosmo
Dandock wrote: ↑Sat May 12, 2018 7:04 am
Paul wrote: ↑Fri May 11, 2018 10:45 pm Urghh!

Long repeated soaks in warm soapy water (soak a sponge and rest said sponge over the poo...)

Rubbing (as mentioned above) is not recommended..
But very gentle rubbing with very hot soapy stuff. :roll:
+1 although I don't use soapy water but quick detailer. I have a number of bottles of GTechniq QD and Autoglym Detailing spray at the ready . Keep the pad wet until the cr*p is nice and soft and get it off either with a pressure washer or running water from a hose (with a little pressure). There will be bits of grit in bird sh*t which, when you use a sponge or other "touch" method will casue your pait to scratch. The etching is a whole different ball game with possible solutions posted..

Re: Incontinent pigeons

Posted: Sat May 12, 2018 4:57 pm
by alxgb
Ian.g wrote: ↑Fri May 11, 2018 9:59 pm We all expect the occasional bird dropping and those small ones that easily wipe off are not a problem. But in the last 2 weeks I have had 2 enormous bird droppings hit my car and when I have come to clean them off, they have set like cement. They are so hard that rubbing with a sponge (well I had to use something) took chunks out of the sponge. The ones on the roof are still partly stuck there because the 15 minutes I had when I tried to clean them off wasn't long enough! I am sure it must be the pigeons - although could be another large common bird I suppose.

So has anyone got any tips for removing bird droppigs that have set like cement? Other than getting the car detailed! I haven't dared use a plastic ice scraper in case it damages the paintwork - but I can't be doing spending 20 minutes removing the mess every time a pigeon c***s.
Some good advice on here but knowing how long it has had to set is key. I'd always advocate a soak but be careful what you use because if you have alkaline water, you could etch the paint too. It sounds extreme but I used water at my in-laws, splashed it on to get rid of bird droppings and unbelievably had to machine polish the area where the water was. It was unbelievable.

Always start with something gentle and see where it gets you then ramp up the treatments. I use Gyeon Grime Remover on a cloth to soak in and that's successful 9/10 times. I also use DuPont Prepsol which is a high alcohol based cleaner which is designed to remove any fall out prior to bodyshop work. It'll strip wax and anything off the surface but it has removed baked on bird dropping on a black car in summer.