Paint care question

DeaconBlues · 05-16-2016, 09:05 PM

For those of you who have 2ers in black sapphire metallic, or another dark color requiring a little more TLC -- what's your preferred method for removing bird droppings from the paint?

Because I park outdoors, my car is a frequent bird target. I keep a bottle of Griot's Speed Shine in my trunk, and while that gets most of the crap off the paint, there's usually a faint outline left even after a few applications using a microfiber towel.

Has anyone used a better product or method? Any tips would be most appreciated.

zkeeper · 05-16-2016, 09:17 PM

It has less to do with product and more to do with the time it sat on the car and paint surface. I also use the speed shine and it does just great. BUT keep protection wax and some sacrifice barriers on top of wax, [coats of spray on wax as well] helps a lot. One just has to get at it very soon.
If you have paint issues, it may take some polishing out, but if...if it has etched the paint then it will be much more difficult and will need some pro help, I suspect.

jaboyd · 05-16-2016, 09:27 PM

Suggest a polymer wax as the base then a good carnauba wax. Re-wax every w/carnauba every 5-6 months and do a complete polymer/carnauba once a year. This will help protect the finish from the acids in the bird crap. And yes the sooner you can remove the droppings, even if is just a spray of water to loosen the bond, it will significantly reduce damage.

Zooks527 · 05-17-2016, 04:48 AM

+1 to the wax comments above. It's easier to get off if it's not hard onto the paint.

Biggest thing I've found is time to soak. Typically, I'll put a sodden paper towel on top of any droppings and let it sit for 2 - 5 minutes, depending on how long it's been since it got hit. I'll then blot the stuff off, as wiping it drives grit into the surface. Typically, this will get just about everything off.

DeaconBlues · 05-17-2016, 08:58 AM

Great tips - thank you all.

Cjnj · 05-17-2016, 12:21 PM

I have a package of these in the car:

http://www.autoglym.com/products/pro...dropping-wipes

However, I haven't used them on my car, my dad borrowed one to use on his Magnetic Explorer and it seem to have worked on droppings that were a at least a few days old...nothing left.

05-16-2016, 09:05 PM	#1
DeaconBlues Ambassador 20 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW 228i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0)	Paint care question For those of you who have 2ers in black sapphire metallic, or another dark color requiring a little more TLC -- what's your preferred method for removing bird droppings from the paint? Because I park outdoors, my car is a frequent bird target. I keep a bottle of Griot's Speed Shine in my trunk, and while that gets most of the crap off the paint, there's usually a faint outline left even after a few applications using a microfiber towel. Has anyone used a better product or method? Any tips would be most appreciated.
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05-16-2016, 09:17 PM	#2
zkeeper Captain 208 Rep 602 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 & 08 Z4 si Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: BimmerHaven iTrader: (0)	It has less to do with product and more to do with the time it sat on the car and paint surface. I also use the speed shine and it does just great. BUT keep protection wax and some sacrifice barriers on top of wax, [coats of spray on wax as well] helps a lot. One just has to get at it very soon. If you have paint issues, it may take some polishing out, but if...if it has etched the paint then it will be much more difficult and will need some pro help, I suspect.
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05-16-2016, 09:27 PM	#3
jaboyd Private First Class 39 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 2015 M235i black/black Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	Suggest a polymer wax as the base then a good carnauba wax. Re-wax every w/carnauba every 5-6 months and do a complete polymer/carnauba once a year. This will help protect the finish from the acids in the bird crap. And yes the sooner you can remove the droppings, even if is just a spray of water to loosen the bond, it will significantly reduce damage.
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05-17-2016, 04:48 AM	#4
Zooks527 Captain 310 Rep 886 Posts Drives: 2015 M235xi / 2005 Tacoma 4x4 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mansfield, MA iTrader: (0)	+1 to the wax comments above. It's easier to get off if it's not hard onto the paint. Biggest thing I've found is time to soak. Typically, I'll put a sodden paper towel on top of any droppings and let it sit for 2 - 5 minutes, depending on how long it's been since it got hit. I'll then blot the stuff off, as wiping it drives grit into the surface. Typically, this will get just about everything off. __________________ 2015 M235xi coupe, Black Sapphire Metallic, Black Leather, Fineline Stream trim, Steptronic, xDrive, ZPP, ZTP, ZCW, ZDA, ZDB, 5DP, hk w/BimmerTech amp, Enhanced BT Prior 40 years: 67 BelAir wagon / 68 LeMans Tempest / 70 Mustang Mach 1 / 72 El Dorado / 78 Corvette / 81 Subaru GL wagon 4WD / 83 s10 Blazer 4x4 / 85 Bronco 4x4 / 96 Bronco 4x4 / 04 Passat 4mo / 09 BMW 335xi
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05-17-2016, 08:58 AM	#5
DeaconBlues Ambassador 20 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW 228i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0)	Great tips - thank you all.
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05-17-2016, 12:21 PM	#6
Cjnj Private First Class 33 Rep 174 Posts Drives: 2016 228i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Kingston iTrader: (0)	I have a package of these in the car: http://www.autoglym.com/products/pro...dropping-wipes However, I haven't used them on my car, my dad borrowed one to use on his Magnetic Explorer and it seem to have worked on droppings that were a at least a few days old...nothing left.
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