I’m sure we have all had that moment of rage and disgust when we discover that splatter of bird droppings plastered against the side of our vehicle. Whether you had just washed your car or not, seeing that white tag is sure to sour anyone’s mood. But it’s not just avians and their disturbingly accurate bombardments you should be worried about. Insects, particularly in the summer months, can be equally as damaging if you are not quick to remove them from the paintwork after a drive in the countryside.
So, if you’re wondering what the best way to remove these problem splatters is, then look no further as we explain some easy and simple ways to clean and protect your car.
Why are bugs and bird poo bad for your car?
The simple answer is that they are acidic. Bird droppings in particular are very acidic – as far down the pH scale as 3.5 in some cases – and leaving these little slaps of acid on your car can discolour the paint or even cause it to flake off. With such a low pH rating, it is estimated that it only takes a few hours for bird poop to start damaging your car’s clear coat.
Bug remains are very similar, though you may be relieved to hear that not all bugs are naturally acidic. However, even the bugs that are alkaline in nature can become acidic if their remains are left in the sun for too long.
But this isn’t the only danger to your car’s exterior. In the summer months, your car can expand in the heat, and if there is a lump of bird poo in the way, then it may warp around said droppings, leaving your car with ‘ripples’, which are almost impossible to fix.
Plus, if we’re being honest, having a car covered in bird droppings and dead bugs is just really gross.
How can you get rid of it safely?
The first thing to remember when removing poop and bugs from your car is that time is of the essence. The longer these things remain on your car, the more damage they do and the harder it is to get them off.
When you notice your car has been tagged or that there is an excess of bugs stuck to your bumper, get the hose (or even better, the power washer – and if you’re looking to add one to your collection of car-washing tools, you can’t go wrong with the Kärcher K3 home pressure washer to give it a rinse off). Often, this will be all you really need to do, though having a trustworthy sponge nearby to help encourage any tricky bits also helps.
If, however, you find yourself with some problem stains, or if you just want to make sure that your car is fully protected, then you are going to need some specialised car wash. We recommend the excellent Poorboy’s World Bug Squash – not just excellent for bug debris, this specialised solution is effective for a range of different road splatters, including tar and winter salts. After getting as much of the debris off your car as you can with your hose or power washer, use your Bug Squash to break apart the leftovers thanks to its alkaline base. This means it will easily break down the acidic remains and neutralise them before they can do any damage, meaning that they are no longer a threat to your car’s paintwork.
So that’s the secret to keeping your car safe from some of the worst the road (and birds) can throw at it.
If you enjoyed this blog, you may be interested in:
The best of Car Gods at Autoparts
How to spring-clean your car
Cleaning your car’s interior
