BIRD POOP! Leaves Mark??

[Ed S.]

I dont know if they have acid in their poop, but some birds around here hit my metallic blue panels, and no matter how I clean it, I still see the splatter marks on the plastic! Anyone else experience this, and how do you deal with it, besides never parking under trees???

[Quagmire]

Some bird poop and certain bugs are very acidic and can actually etch the clear coat. I have remedied these annoying stains with 2 to 3 applications of Mequiars Scratch X in the black tube. It can be had at any Walmart.

[jefferios]

Uh oh, when I go to school in August the 1000's of crows will visit our campus in the winter and huddle. When they do their feces cake anything under and around. My smart is doomed! It really leaves a mark?

[angel]

This is why I have wax on my car. It helps to protect the clear coat and paint. And there are always car covers.

[SuperGeek]

Yes, that's the best reason to wax your car well. Wax is expendable and can be completely removed/reapplied cheaply. Clear coat ain't cheap.

[Smart Enuf]

A car cover, even a high quality one, is much cheaper than either a paint job or new panels. Of course, you can always try mounting a scarecrow on your smart (maybe Yakima has a proper clamp for it).

[jediknight36]

What would be a good way to hand wash and wax your smart if you live in an apt and there are no hoses or anything you can use?

[RVGRINGO]

Two pails! Two cloths. One squirt of detergent.
When done, wax.

[Kermit]

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

Two pails! Two cloths. One squirt of detergent.
When done, wax.

When rubbing the pail on the car be careful not to scratch the paint.

Oh wait, I'm guessing you may have to do a step by step to spell it out. Some people aren't used to washing their cars too often if ever. (I wash mine 3 times a week and it still always looks dirty)

One wash cloth in each pail
One squirt of detergent in one of the pails
Second pail w/washcloth is for the rinse.

I'm guessing thats how they do the parking lot car washes in Mexico? I know that's how they do it in the middle east - except in Mexico you don't have to check for bombs afterwards.

[jefferios]

Sure wax is a great idea...and I have a layer on my Smart now...but When its 10*F outside and then the Birds arrive (Usually around December) How can I wax it then???

When it snows and the birds drop on top of the snow covered car, its like a natural protectant. And I cannot use a car cover where I am. I'd have to worry about the 30 mph winds and college students taking it off to look at my car. Not a good idea.