bird dropings

[mikebrou]

hello everyone, i checked search and could not finf this anywhere. i was at park the other day[ about70f temp and black ml]. when i returned i saw i huge bird droping on hood. it was either a seagall or a blue herring. i washed it off with water right away but could not get it clean looking. i could see the out lay of the mess. got home and used a paint cleaner from benz, did four times . still could see the it. waxed the hood and its the same. loooks like it ate right into the clear coat. please help, sure dont want to repaint it. its a 2002 ml500 black , if that makes a diffrence.
thanks mike

[Dee8go]

What are those birds eating?! That's some seriously caustic bird poop. I'd be interested in knowing how you solve this problem. My parking spot at work seems to be right in the "Avian Zone of Incontinence."

Also, if somebody knows a way of dealing with water spots on chrome trim, I'd like to know what works for you.

[Ethan]

1) Lots of bird droppings have gritty texture - something about birts eating gravel and not digesting it - so you need to be careful about how you wipe the initial hit.

2) Bugs and bird residue if left on the paint can etch itself into the layers of wax maybe even clearcoat.

3) The Mercedes car care products are probably Meguiar rebranded, certainly not a poor product, cost and performance wise a good way to maintain a car.

4) I have Mercedes 040 (paint code) black paint, and recently used Zaino brand swirl remover (ZP-C) and swirl reducer (Z5), and my eight year old finish looks great. I had the same bird etched marring on my hood, and now after using Zaino the marring is gone (removed or hidden by the products I don't know).

5) I think the Mercedes paint cleaner is a product intended for frequent use and therefore not as agressive as what may be needed to clean the etching.
This dosen't mean the product is poor - because you always want to use the least agressive products first.

6) Do some research and try a more agressive pain cleaner or swirl mark remover. And there is no reason hand applications won't do the job.

7) A tip, if you try to use the Mercedes paint cleaner some more, use a 100% cotton applicator, and after applying the cleaner ( and before buffing out ) use a fine spray of water on the area and continue buffing in the cleaner.

8) Too much rubbing can leave a scratch haze, but three applcations may not be enough, it could take some extensive time and frequent checking to make sure no scratching before the Mercedes paint cleaner works.

[Hatterasguy]

First I'd clay the area to get everything out of the paint. Then hit it with a buffer and a bit of rubbing compound. Griots makes 4 stages, maybe start with a 2 and then work to a 3. That should take it out.

Downside is that you will probably end up doing most of the car because that one spot will look so darn good.


btw don't waste your money on offical MB car care products. All they are is Meguiar's with a different sticker on the bottle.

[mikebrou]

thankyou so much for your help,Hatterasguy and , ethan. your assitance is ver much appreciated in this problem , ill get the products and give them a dry.
for sure it has etch into the paint, i was carefull with washing it of as not to scrath the paint. i was nervious as to what to do next. you have hepled me thanks ill let you both know. hatterasguy, i have a tolly 26 that takes up a lot of my time
my cars are.
300sdl86 i have had sense new, its started this car mess
1961 190sl, wifes car[ she bought it
1991500sl
2002500ml
and i have had for20 years now , a 52 gmctruck and a 57 beetle that i bought of the original owner from cave junction , oregon

[1991 560 SEC]

What the hell is a Tolly?
John

[Hatterasguy]

Originally Posted by 1991 560 SEC

What the hell is a Tolly?
John

A boat.