Few things in life are certain—death, taxes, and a bird ruining your freshly washed car.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to remove those ‘little gifts’ birds love to leave behind—before they become a permanent part of your paint job. If left too long, bird droppings can become a real problem.

What You’ll Need

All you really need is an alkaline APC (All-Purpose Cleaner)—preferably mixed a bit stronger if the droppings have been sitting for a while.

Step-by-Step Removal Process

1. Spray some APC directly onto the bird droppings.
2. Rinse thoroughly with your pressure washer.
3. Agitate with a microfiber mitt if needed after rinsing.

Why You Should Remove Bird Droppings ASAP

Bird droppings contain acidic compounds that can cause a chemical reaction with your car’s paint, leading to etching. In hot weather, this process can happen in just a few hours. That’s why we always try to remove bird droppings as soon as possible.

On road trips, we recommend keeping a bottle of APC in your car for quick cleaning at a self-service wash station.

WHAT NOT TO DO

Avoid using a quick detailer to wipe off bird droppings. They often contain small hard particles like grit or tiny stones, which can scratch your paint like sandpaper. Your pressure washer is your best friend here.

Final Protection

For the final step, we recommend applying a ceramic spray sealant like HERCULES to make future cleanups easier. No ceramic coating, no matter how durable, can fully protect against bird droppings—but it can make removal easier and reduce potential damage.