embolism
05-05-2011, 10:50 AM
I just love to know the reasons behind why things behave the way they do. Here's another piece that may interest the geek in you:
A study by Autoglym (http://www.autoglym.com/enGB/default.asp), a leading U.K. car care expert, says acidity from bird droppings has no effect on a car’s paint job by itself. But bird poop can do some unsightly damage when combined with the heating effects of the sun.
As paint lacquer warms — in the direct sunshine for example — it softens and expands. At the same time, that heat dries and hardens any bird droppings on the surface.
Autoglym’s tests discovered that as the paint lacquer cools, overnight for example, it contracts, hardens and moulds around the texture of the bird dropping. This moulding appears as dulled or etched paintwork as the light's reflection is interrupted by the imperfect surface, unlike the undamaged paint surrounding it which gives a clearer reflection.
The researchers found wax and polish treatment that protect against chemical attack from acid rain and UV damage provide limited protection from the paint moulding to bird droppings, although these products will make them easier to remove.
The longer the deposit remains on the bodywork, and the higher the temperatures, the harder the dried deposit will be, and the greater the propensity for the paint lacquer to mould to it as it cools.
So, in other words, damage done by bird droppings can only be prevented by motorists removing the unsightly deposits as soon as possible.
Here are a few other tips to help you deal with this common summer annoyance:
• Motorists should use a moist cloth to gently lift bird droppings from the surface
• If the deposit is dry or doesn't lift easily, place a moist cloth over it for 10 minutes to soften the deposit
• Carefully wash your hands after cleaning, as bird droppings can harbour diseases
Mike has articles on this which have helped me greatly. The article above doesn't specifically mention the "scrunchy technique" but going one step beyond is why we're all here now isn't it?
crap, only lets me edit...
A study by Autoglym (http://www.autoglym.com/enGB/default.asp), a leading U.K. car care expert, says acidity from bird droppings has no effect on a car’s paint job by itself. But bird poop can do some unsightly damage when combined with the heating effects of the sun.
As paint lacquer warms — in the direct sunshine for example — it softens and expands. At the same time, that heat dries and hardens any bird droppings on the surface.
Autoglym’s tests discovered that as the paint lacquer cools, overnight for example, it contracts, hardens and moulds around the texture of the bird dropping. This moulding appears as dulled or etched paintwork as the light's reflection is interrupted by the imperfect surface, unlike the undamaged paint surrounding it which gives a clearer reflection.
The researchers found wax and polish treatment that protect against chemical attack from acid rain and UV damage provide limited protection from the paint moulding to bird droppings, although these products will make them easier to remove.
The longer the deposit remains on the bodywork, and the higher the temperatures, the harder the dried deposit will be, and the greater the propensity for the paint lacquer to mould to it as it cools.
So, in other words, damage done by bird droppings can only be prevented by motorists removing the unsightly deposits as soon as possible.
Here are a few other tips to help you deal with this common summer annoyance:
• Motorists should use a moist cloth to gently lift bird droppings from the surface
• If the deposit is dry or doesn't lift easily, place a moist cloth over it for 10 minutes to soften the deposit
• Carefully wash your hands after cleaning, as bird droppings can harbour diseases
Mike has articles on this which have helped me greatly. The article above doesn't specifically mention the "scrunchy technique" but going one step beyond is why we're all here now isn't it?
crap, only lets me edit...