Mysterious substance ruined clear coat on hood.

[RADRACR]

Had ice cream at Cold Stone over the lovely weekend. Was parked for about 20 minutes. Come back out, and there is 3 goo splatters on my hood. It is light brown in color. The consistency kind of looks like chewing tobacco spittle. It doesn't look like bird poo, but there is some white on the edges typical of bird poo.

By the time I got home to clean it off, it of course had dried. Even soaked in water it was a bear to remove. Now there is residue that perfectly matches the shape of the splatter. It's like it was acid that had eaten the clear coat.

1) Has anyone experienced bird poo like this? I suspect vandalism.
2) How to fix?

[Rated M Roadster]

If it's only on the surface, try a clay bar. If it's gone through the clear coat, you'll have to buff it.

[mgwatson48]

Whatever it was definitely etched itself into your paint. The only way to get out an etching (be it bird poo, old water spots, or whatever is on your car) is to polish it out. If you dont have your own polisher you could just take it to a local detailer and have him buff it out in 10 minutes for a case of beer or $30ish.

[Kgolf31]

Pictures.

It's probably bird poo, which does contain acid.

It will stain the clear coat, and if it is what I think it is, you're going to need wetsand to fully remove.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Pictures.

It's probably bird poo, which does contain acid.

It will stain and clear coat, and if it is what I think it is, you're going to need wetsand to fully remove.

Yipes - good luck removing this.

Where are Elmer Fudd and Duck Hunting season when you need them LOL!

[mike519]

You won't need to wetsand. A decent polisher and polish will work. At worst, swirl remover. I use Wolfgang products...easy to use and great results.

I keep a pack of wet wipes designed for bird poop in my car as well as a spritz bottle to gently "blast" and dried poop away.

[mgwatson48]

+1 on not needing to wetsand. A good compound will take it out no problem.

[Kgolf31]

Wolfgang won't be able to cut through BMW CC well

You might be able to tackle it via Menzerna PG or Meguiars 105.

If you're using a PC mine as well not even try. You'll minimize the effects of it but not completely remove.

A rotary will remove it, but without wetsand you can risk burning the clear coat if you try to tackle it too harshly.

If you want it gone, wetsand. I've done it a couple times and it has been fine.

[mike519]

I use Wolfgang on my Z4 all the time, with a PC, including removing bird crap marks that have etched. The fact that you would claim that Wolfgang won't remove it shows you are not familiar with their products. I have detailed with their stuff on my two Z4s extensively but there are other good products out there.

Any good detailer will tell you to use the least aggressive method first...polish, then if no luck swirl remover, then compound, THEN wetsand if you have to. No one would tell you to jump to wet sand first.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by mike519

I use Wolfgang on my Z4 all the time, with a PC, including removing bird crap marks that have etched. The fact that you would claim that Wolfgang won't remove it shows you are not familiar with their products. I have detailed with their stuff on my two Z4s extensively but there are other good products out there.

Any good detailer will tell you to use the least aggressive method first...polish, then if no luck swirl remover, then compound, THEN wetsand if you have to. No one would tell you to jump to wet sand first.

This isnt my first rodeo.

I am highly familiar with their line and I will never touch their swirl removers. It is not up to par as other polishes in the market.

Are you calling me not good?

I never said "STRAIGHT TO WETSAND"; if you want to look at my post again:

Pictures.

It's probably bird poo, which does contain acid.

It will stain the clear coat, and if it is what I think it is, you're going to need wetsand to fully remove.

Without pictures you're twirling your hand in the air.

With actual experience (beyond your own cars....crazy right?) would tell you that a light polish or even a compound will not solve the issue. Of course unless we're talking about filler polishes..but you know everything so I'll let you take the floor.

[RADRACR]

Thanks for all the replies. I doubt I can get a decent photo of it. It's one of those things you need to look at just the right angle.

[RobMCoupe]

I had that happen to my roadster. Got most of it out with clay but still can see it from certain angle. I keep a good coat of polish on all the time. Might consider carrying instant detailed and MF cloth to remove stain ASAP.

[beta]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's rust water.

Had the same thing happen to my roadster, murky yellow water (kinda like coke). Happened because the parking garage I was in had old tubing that was leaking. So you get the rusty tubes leaking on your car.

Cleaned it up that evening, but it was not coming off. Had my detailer take it out, had to buff it out and if you don't take care of it soon it can eat into your clear coat.

[thekurgan]

I had someone put brake fluid on my trunk lid of an older car, that was permanently damaged and a similar brown goo because of the hot sun. The Z4 aluminum hood gets quite hot I found.

[imz4n]

Fight acidic stains with acidic fix--take 1/8 cup of white vinegar and 3/8 cup distilled water, shake well and with a micro fiber towel-- lightly rub, Do not do a two finger grind on the CC--- polish and rewax the area, the sooner the better