Question for you anal retentive 911 washers/detailers....
#31
Originally Posted by Kevin Keating
You may be getting your basic chemistry mixed up a little. It's true that bases neutralize acids but it's also true that "like dissolves like". Remember organic solvents for organic chemicals; water for water-based, etc. A dilute acidic solution is more likely to break up and dissolve an acidic bird dropping. A basic solution will neutralize the pH but do little for dissolving and removing it. My car is parked outside at work and I have tried several things over the years for the occasional bs and since reading in Excellence long ago, a 50% soln of vinegar does work best, followed by a quick coat of whatever wax is on the car.
Now, it seems that you are addressing the issue of breaking up and dissolving a hardened clump of bird crap, which if it’s already hardened it can be assumed that the acid was fully spent in doing the maximum amount of damage. In which case it’s too late and all you need to do is remove it, which I would do with a simple hosing down with water until it was soft enough to rinse away. I would never use vinegar (an acid) on my car’s painted surfaces no matter who says it’s okay. I don’t blindly follow someone’s recommendation if it doesn’t make sense to me.