The myth that acid content in bird droppings causes damage to car paint has been questioned by new research.
Clean me! Image: dichohecho |
A study by UK-based car polish manufacturer, Autoglym, has demonstrated that heat rather than acid is the cause of the permanent marks that are left on car paintwork if bird droppings aren't removed.
According to the research, which involved the company testing bird droppings, or guano, of various strengths of acidity and liquidity on car paintwork, the permanent damage is caused when car bodywork is heated by the engine or the sun and then cools again around the bird dropping.
During the heating process the surface laquer used to protect vehicle paintwork expands and softens. As it cools it contracts and hardens around the deposit leaving microscopic damage which appears as dull marks on the paintwork.
Once the damage is done, even with paintwork protected by waxes or polish, there is litte that can be done to remove the mark. Prevention is, apparently, the best cure with Autoglym recommending the offending droppings are removed as soon as possible after they are left using a damp cloth or wipe.