It has to be one of the most annoying post car wash and detailing occurrences – a bird dropping right there, ruining all your good work, and leaving you wishing you had some bird poo remover. And, goodness me, sometimes they don’t half make a right mess.
Bird poo can leave a horrible mark on your car’s bodywork if you leave it long enough. Autoglym research suggests that bird poo disrupts the paint lacquer, which then moulds itself to the uneven texture of the secretion, even if you’ve used a good wax for protection, creating that discoloured look that can spoil even the nicest paint job.
Best bird poo removers at a glance
Car shampoo is one option, but it’s never time effective to clean a car every time a bird deposits its lunch on your motor. Avoid spoiled paintwork with a proper bird poo remover; we’ve found the best and listed them below so you know you’re getting a decent product.
Best bird poo removers:
Editor's pick
Rrp: $25.52
Rrp: $25.52
I approached the test with a bit of apprehension, however, as I couldn’t fathom a simple wipe being better than a spray, but all I had to do was remove one of the ten individually packaged wipes and place it on the bird dropping. I simply left the wipe on the bird mess to let it soak and loosen the dirt, and every time I wiped away the poo it resulted in a clean wipe.
I even tested the wipes on an older, hardened dropping and achieved the same result. These wipes represent an elegant solution that can be placed within reach to react to fresh bird poo. They’re disposable, so there's no need to worry about washing a mucky microfibre cloth.
I am particularly impressed with the result, and the price is relatively inexpensive, but a spray may provide better value. Overall, I like the Autoglym bird dropping wipes, and if you’re not a keen detailer but want to look after your car’s paintwork then you’ll like them too.
Review by Naveed Hussain
Pros
- Perfect for use on the go
- Good value for money
- Easy to store in the car
Cons
- Wipes aren’t the most eco-friendly option
- No good on hardened poo
Best bird poo remover spray
Pros
- Powerful on all types of poo
- Easy to apply
Cons
- You need a microfibre cloth
Best multi-purpose remover
I found it easy to follow the instructions on the bottle which mentions to 'spray liberally' and then apply a paper towel. I then left it all to soak for two minutes before wiping away using a clean cloth. The bird dropping used in the test was slightly hardened which meant that the first wipe wasn't entirely clean, leaving a small amount of bird dropping behind. Rest assured, however, as the second wipe rectified that leaving my car's paint free from bird mess.
While this spray represents a traditional approach to cleaning bird droppings (as opposed to the Autoglym wipes), it does offer good value as the 500ml should last a lot longer than ten wipes. The only thing you'll have to worry about is using your own cloth, sponge, or paper towels.
Pros
- Quickly softens hardened deposits
- Ideal as a shampoo pre-wash
Cons
- May need a couple of applications
Best bird poo removers for spiders too
This spray deals with both of these and is also eco-friendly. It's non-toxic, and the plastic is recycled, but the best part is that it can be used on a massive range of surfaces, including fabrics.
Pros
- Cleans spider poo too
- Eco-friendly formula
Cons
- You need a microfibre cloth
Best versatile cleaner
I found it quite easy to use, as the instructions are as simple as spray and wipe. The bird dropping I tested it on was a day old, so slightly hardened, but that shouldn't be a problem for a tough product. I sprayed the product onto the bird mess, surprised at how little I needed to use. I would say it was less than the Simoniz.
Unlike the Simoniz, the instructions don't explicitly say to use a paper towel, but they do mention leaving the product for a minute. I noticed after around 10 seconds the bird mess started to dissolve, so out of curiosity I decided to wipe it off after around 20 seconds - certainly a lot sooner than a minute.
Of course, you'll have to use your own cloth, but wiping away the bird dirt was easy as it all came off in a single wipe. I would imagine the Turtle Wax insect remover is capable of tackling even tougher bird droppings, and it can also be used as a pre-wash - not to mention, it is an insect remover first and foremost.
Pros
- Multi-purpose product that can be used as a pre-wash too
- Non-drip and easy to use
Cons
- Microfibre towel is needed as an extra
Bird-dropping remover FAQs:
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How do I remove bird droppings?
The best way to remove bird droppings is to do it as quickly as possible. You'll have the best chances when the bird poo is fresh and hasn't hardened in the sun. Each product is different in how long you leave it on the bird poo before you start wiping.
Insect removers can be used to lift bird poo, but aren't specially formulated for bird poo. We recommend getting the proper stuff to minimise the damage risk. -
How can I stop birds pooing on my car?
While there is no guaranteed way to stop a bird from doing its business all over your car, there are a couple of little tips to limit the chance they have.
The first thing you can do is ensure your car is parked away from tall objects that birds enjoy perching on. This includes trees, lamp posts, buildings and even overhead wires. It appears that these areas are all designated toilets for birds.
Also, try as much as you can to park your car under a cover. A garage or carport is ideal, but a good car cover will also keep your paint safe from a bird's number two.
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