You can’t stop birds from doing their business, but their droppings can harm your car paint. When left on the exterior for too long, [the waste can corrode the paint, so you may need to go to the body shop for repairs. Here’s more about what bird droppings can do and how to protect your vehicle.

How Can Bird Droppings Damage Your Car?

Bird droppings are problematic for car paint because they contain high quantities of uric acid, a corrosive substance that eats away at the top layer of clear sealant on your vehicle. The acid continues to do damage as it gets to the paint and metal layers underneath the surface coat.

Birds swallow bits of gravel as part of their digestion process, and this abrasive material can scratch your car. Damage can occur in as little as three minutes, but getting it handled within 48 hours can curb further trouble.

Droppings typically fall into two categories. Topical stain etching is the easier of the two to clean. The etching is only on the paint’s surface and can be corrected using a polish or compound. Body shop technicians can also buff or wet sand the affected section.

If the problem gets into the layers, you have wrinkled etching. The clear topcoat and paint are affected, and a professional’s tools and expertise are necessary to restore the surface.

How Can You Prevent Damage?

Clean off droppings as soon as you can. A quick visit to the car wash or a rinse with your garden hose can help. Stick to a regular cleaning schedule so that debris doesn’t linger for too long on your paint, whether it’s bird waste or other grime.

Your best defense between washing is waxing and adding a paint sealant two to three times a year. This step applies a protective coat that will slow down damage from droppings.

If bird droppings have damaged your car’s paint, contact Valiante Auto Body in Norwalk, CT, for help. With over 100 years of combined experience, the body shop can restore your ride’s exterior, from car body painting to collision repair. Since 1976, residents throughout the Fairfield County area have trusted their technicians and honest estimates for repair services. Call (203) 847-3043 for an appointment, or visit them online for more on their offerings.