What is effective in cleaning old bird poo

[Wansworth]

Came back to my boat today and the deck inway of the mast is solid with poo......and stuff that works without too much elbow grease,thanks

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I suspect that you are going to have some staining underneath it and I can think of only two ways that might remove it.

Elbow grease and cutting compound. Not guaranteed because of the penetration into the GRP that might have occurred. You could substitute the elbow grease with some sort of polisher.
You could try domestic bleach on the stain.
A pressure washer should remove the solids.

 

[Champagne Murphy]

Is Y10 (oxalic acid gel) any use?

 

[LittleSister]

Same as is effective on young bird poo?

 

[matthewriches]

I use traffic film remover. Then compound as necessary followed by a bit of wax.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Is Y10 (oxalic acid gel) any use?

I doubt it the oxalic acid is good on what basically amounts to iron staining, rust. So unless the birds have a ferrous diet the answer is probably no.

 

[robmcg]

birds hit remover.co.uk
(without the spaces)

 

[Momac]

Elbow Grease may help
https://www.therange.co.uk/cooking-.../elbow-grease-all-purp-degreaser-500ml#270934

 

[fergie_mac66]

why would you want to clean bird poo . Is this some new angle on polishing a turd?

 

[Birdseye]

I have found that Wet and Forget stuff recommended for cleaning sails to be rather more use elsewhere including the OPs problem. Its also damn good for cleaning alloy wheels.

 

[William_H]

One simple trick with bird poo is to wet it and leave it for a while. Keep it wet and it will soften eventually. But I found oxalic acid good for final stain removal. Failing that try bleach. olewill

 

[richardbrennan]

I have found Milton effective in removing the staining left behind when the starlings have been at the blackberries. I think it's largely Hydrogen Peroxide.

 

[KellysEye]

I used water with washing up liquid in it.

 

[rudolph_hart]

As previously stated, keep wetting it until it can be washed off.

I then use Fairy Power Spray. Leave it on for about a minute then wipe off.

Hope this helps

 

[[70521]]

Came back to my boat today and the deck inway of the mast is solid with poo......and stuff that works without too much elbow grease,thanks

A good stiff brush.

 

[Akestor]

A seagull bombed me on the shoulder with massive stuff while i was laying on the cockpit! I think he did this on purpose because i have managed to ban him from landing on deck and masthead (with twine). I suppose he got his revenge for this.
Anyway when he is bombing when flying above the boat, i just soak kitchen paper and let it on until the poop gets easily removed.

 

[MonniotC]

I suppose he got his revenge for this.

Those damned seagulls never forget a face. If they're after you, you're doomed.

 

[mogmog2]

I have found Milton effective in removing the staining left behind when the starlings have been at the blackberries. I think it's largely Hydrogen Peroxide.

Milton is only Sodium Hypochlorite, same as household bleach only ten times more expensive.

 

[johnalison]

I find that the stain usually disappears after a few days anyway, so I just use the wet-first method wiout bothering with chemicals.

 

[Marine Reflections]

Soften indeed if you can get to it fast enough.

There seems to be an acidic element to some bird poop and if not protected surfaces can suffer staining.
It's a good (acid test) to see if the surfaces are accepting or rejecting.

The PH required would be in relation to the acceptance.
Melamine sponges can hook out staining within slightly porous gel coat.
Just water and a sponge if surfaces are in 100% condition.