It’s a Bugs Life…….

[Julncamp54]

Hello fellow owners  your advice please…..

on a recent trip through the Lake District to the east coast I encountered what I can only describe as a kamikaze squadron of bugs and insects which have decided to terminate their existence deeply embedded into my pristine paint work  and splatter on  the windscreen…. 

i left my car parked over night and the sea gulls after a dinner  of fish and chips decided to evacuate their  butt by aiming at my car roof. 
because the sun was shining and was quite warm all residues became baked and hardened. Grrrrrrr

suggestions for a removal process with out damaging paint surface…?

thank you guys 

[First_Lexus]

For the bugs, I’m afraid a proper wash is the best solution. If the paintwork is either relatively new or well protected (or both!) they should come off fairly easily with a mitt and good car shampoo, even better with snow foam first. There are also specialist bug remover sprays which can help, but should be used in conjunction with the full wash. I use this one:

https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/gyeon-bug-grime-remover

The seagull mess needs to be removed quickly. The simplest method is to get a damp cloth or damp kitchen towel, and leave it over the affected area for 20-40 minutes. This softens the poo and should allow it to be removed without rubbing and thus risk of scratching.

Good luck! I hate it when this happens…

[Brian R]

My method when time is tight is to simply spray water on the bird ******* and give it a few moments before wiping off with a kitchen towel. |Note, the paper type and preferably also soaked in spray water! I keep various repurposed spray bottles in the garage but one could just as easily be kept in the boot. A few moments later and hey presto you have diluted muck to contend with rather than its baked on equivalent. As for the flies, they can wait another day. 

[Rabbers]

Specifically for insect splatters - and if you have the time - fill a spray bottle with plain warm (preferably) water, then copiously spray and gently wipe with paper towels at one minute intervals as many times as it takes to remove them all.

As regards bird droppings, the sternness of the chosen method very much depends on their extent and severity, but the most important thing at all stages of any cleaning process is to loosen and lift potentially scratchy residual solids so as not to risk pressing them against the paintwork.

[Spacewagon52]

23 hours ago, First_Lexus said:

For the bugs, I’m afraid a proper wash is the best solution. If the paintwork is either relatively new or well protected (or both!) they should come off fairly easily with a mitt and good car shampoo, even better with snow foam first. There are also specialist bug remover sprays which can help, but should be used in conjunction with the full wash. I use this one:

https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/gyeon-bug-grime-remover

The seagull mess needs to be removed quickly. The simplest method is to get a damp cloth or damp kitchen towel, and leave it over the affected area for 20-40 minutes. This softens the poo and should allow it to be removed without rubbing and thus risk of scratching.

Good luck! I hate it when this happens…

Fully endorse Ed's post above. Red cars, in my experience, seem to be a target for gulls. It is very important to clean off the mess asap. I had a Hyundai that needed a roof respray due to bird droppings being left. I soak a dish cloth and leave it on the offending mess for 20 mins.

You have my sympathy!