Everyday Things Auto Experts Will Never Let Touch Their Car

Bird poop

When you’ve gotta go, you’ve gotta go. Unfortunately, that’s very much the case with our flying friends, so bird poop can be hard to avoid. The problem is that it can end up costing you thousands. According to Zach Shefska, cofounder and CEO of Your Auto Advocate, research has found that “as paint lacquer warms—in the direct summer sunshine, for example—it softens and expands. At the same time, that heat dries and hardens any bird droppings on the surface. Autoglym’s researchers discovered that as the paint lacquer cools overnight, it contracts, hardens, and molds around the texture of the bird dropping. To the naked eye, this molding at a microscopic level appears as dulled or etched paintwork. The light’s reflection is interrupted by the imperfect surface, unlike the undamaged paint surrounding it, which gives a clearer reflection.”

To avoid potential problems, park in a garage whenever possible. But if some does plop down onto your paint job, your best bet is to wash it quickly and wipe it down with a smooth rag, notes Zoriy Birenboym, CEO of eAutoCollision.com and eAutoLease.com. Consult this thorough list of car maintenance tips to extend the life of your vehicle.