Acidic bird poop dissolved paint!

[sockmeister]

Well, I'm a tad bit PO'd.

I came back from a weeklong trip, with the Mach-E sitting at home in the driveway for the duration.
When I arrived home, I was "pleased" to see that a dear resident bird had taken the opportunity cover the Mach-E in nice big splotchy presents for me. How thoughtful! What a nice surprise.

Upon closer inspection, I saw that one of the spots had an odd texture to it -- the stain was extra 3D-looking, and apparently peeling.

I wiped the bird crap away to reveal some heavily dissolved paint... Right through the clear coat and the base coat. ?

I got to work washing the entire car. Fortunately, the other spots didn't leave a mark on the car. But in this one location, it looks like maybe the poop was extra-acidy, or maybe the sun was reflecting off the windshield and heating things along there? I'm not sure.

Please give me your thoughts as to what happened... And maybe some advice. Warranty fix? Or take it to a paint repair shop?

Location of the etching is on the A-pillar, next to the windshield on the passenger side.

 

[Texas-E]

Sorry you are dealing with this... I would be PO'd, too. I'd try the warranty path and would go the honey route vs. scorched earth. I found this, and it seems like not an uncommon issue, which kind of floors me. https://avalonking.com/blog/what-to-do-when-birds-wreck-your-cars-paint-job/

 

[BMT1071]

Sorry you are dealing with this... I would be PO'd, too. I'd try the warranty path and would go the honey route vs. scorched earth. I found this, and it seems like not an uncommon issue, which kind of floors me. https://avalonking.com/blog/what-to-do-when-birds-wreck-your-cars-paint-job/

Well, now I know a lot more about bird poop than I ever thought I would. Maybe I will spring for the ceramic coating... ?

 

[ARK]

That sucks, I try to be good about wiping it away immediately when I see it but clearly not possible when out of town. I guess a car cover would be necessary in this situation.

 

[sockmeister]

Sorry you are dealing with this... I would be PO'd, too. I'd try the warranty path and would go the honey route vs. scorched earth. I found this, and it seems like not an uncommon issue, which kind of floors me. https://avalonking.com/blog/what-to-do-when-birds-wreck-your-cars-paint-job/

I was laughing out loud at the puns and alliteration in that article. Good read... I'm going to attempt a DIY paint repair on this.

 

[T_to the_A]

That’s shitty.
sorry

Seriously though, this is not something that never happens to cars. Painted surfaces should be able to withstand a few days of that without that sort of damage.
Please update on what happens after a consult...very disappointing.

 

[sockmeister]

That’s shitty.
sorry

Seriously though, this is not something that never happens to cars. Painted surfaces should be able to withstand a few days of that without that sort of damage.
Please update on what happens after a consult...very disappointing.

I'd tend to agree. And through years of car ownership, I've never had bird crap destroy the paint to the extent that this did. But given the perfect storm of location, temperature, and so on, I guess it's possible.

I decided it's not worth the cost for a pro to fix. I'm going to go the route of taping it off, sanding, spraying, sanding, clear coating, and polishing, and I'm hoping that will get it to 90%.

Edit: This won't be a warranty eligible fix.

 

[Texas-E]

Edit: This won't be a warranty eligible fix.

I agree, but it might be worth a try. The worst they can say is no, which puts you right at the place you are now.