How to Remove Tree Sap, Bird Droppings, and Bug Splatter from Your Car’s Exterior

Your car’s body takes a beating from Mother Nature on a daily basis; tree sap, bird droppings and bug splatter are only some of the culprits. These persistent stains are more than just unsightly; they can damage your paint if not addressed quickly. Actually, bird poop is very acidic and can etch into your car’s clear coat in 48 hours. Yikes!

At Chris Details, we understand how frustrating it is to find these messes. That’s why we’ve created this step-by-step guide on how to safely remove tree sap, bird droppings and bug splatter from your car’s exterior. If you would rather not do it yourself, we also offer mobile detailing so the pros can take over. Let’s dive in!

1. Removing Tree Sap

Tree sap is sticky, indomitable, and can fuse to your car’s paint if you don’t properly get rid of it. Here’s how to tackle it:

What You’ll Need: Rubbing alcohol, microfiber cloth, car wash soap, water, and wax

Steps:

Park your vehicle in the shade to help prevent sap hardening more.

Soak a microfiber cloth in rubbing alcohol and lightly press the sap until it loosens.

Use a clean cloth to wipe away the sap, applying light pressure so the paint doesn’t scratch.

Using car wash soap and water, clean the area to remove any residue.

Reapply wax to restore shine and hardness.

Pro Tip: Do not use sharp objects like knives or credit cards to help scrape sap off — doing can damage your paint.

2. Cleaning Bird Droppings

Bird poop is not just disgusting, but also very acidic. Here’s how to safely dispose of them:

What You’ll Need: Quick detailer spray, microfiber cloth, car wash soap, water and wax.

Steps:

Mist the area with a quick detailer or water to dissolve the droppings.

Using light, circular motions, dry the area with a microfiber cloth.

Clean the area with car wash soap and water to get leftover residue.

Wipe the area completely dry and put some wax to seal in the paint.

Pro Tip: The sooner bird droppings are removed, the better. If they’ve already dried, soak them in water or a quick detailer before wiping.

3. Tackling Bug Splatter

Bug splatter is a regular occurrence, especially during summer road trips. Here’s how to clean it off:

What You’ll Need: Bug and tar remover, microfiber cloth, car wash soap, water and wax.

Steps:

Spray a bug and tar remover onto the affected area and allow it to loosen the lacquer for a few minutes.

With mild pressure, wipe the bugs away with a soft microfiber towel.

Wash the area with soap and water so that if there any residue it is removed.

Dry the spot, then wax it to bring back shine and protection.

Pro Tip: For those pesky bugs, whip out a dedicated bug sponge or mitt designed to remove splatter without damaging your paint.

4. Preventing Future Stains

Prevention is the best way to manage tree sap, bird droppings and bug splatter. Here’s how:

Wax Your Car Regularly: A decent layer of wax serves as a shield, therebetween your paint and pollutants.

Park Wisely: Skip parking under trees or near bird roosts.

Wash Your Car Often: Keeping your car clean removes contaminants and gives them no time to bond to your paint surface.

Need Help Getting Rid of Stubborn Stains?

These suggestions should help you wade through tree sap, bird droppings and bug splatter yourself, but there are times when it’s just easier to hand the task over to the professionals. We heal scratches, swirls, and other blemishes that can ruin a car's appearance with the brush on methods which is a part of our mobile detailing services. We know which premium products and techniques to use to safely remove the toughest stains and leave your car looking showroom-ready.

So whether you’re just looking for a quick exterior wash or a complete detail, we have you covered. Schedule an appointment today, so you have one less thing to worry about when it comes to your car! Because at Chris Details, we don’t clean cars—we care for them.

The above tips will help you maintain the exterior of your car and prevent it from damage. And when you need a hand, Chris Details makes it easy. Together, let’s keep your car shining bright!