If there were ever a case for keeping an emergency bird poop removal kit for your Tesla Model 3, then here is one example where a Tesla owner recently posted his troubles on Facebook Tesla Tips & Tricks interest group: I own a Model 3 2024 ( purchased in September 2024 ). I have a few concerns regarding the exterior paint work on this." —­OP From the video and images he provided, it was clear right off the bat that he had made some classic car finish mistakes in his hurry to remove the annoying bird poop from his Model 3. You're rubbing it in with a dry paper towel and scratching bird (expletive) with your bare fingernail. I think you found your own problem." —­Tara That's the best way to scratch your paint!!" —Karl My Brother's Truck Before anyone thinks too disfavorably about the OP, bear in mind that bird poop is typically very acidic and, therefore, corrosive. I remember when my older brother bought a brand-new vehicle that was his pride and joy. It had a burnt orange custom paint job on it that attracted everyone's attention. Especially birds. Long story short: One morning, shortly after he bought it, he woke up to find not just bird poop on his beloved truck but that it had also eaten its way to the primer coat. Why is Bird Poop So Acidic? Bird poop tends to be more acidic than that of many other animals due to the way birds excrete their waste. The scoop on the poop is this: Birds excrete both urine and feces together through a single opening called the cloaca. Unlike mammals, birds don't produce liquid urine separately; instead, their nitrogenous waste is primarily in the form of uric acid, which is relatively acidic. Uric acid is not very soluble in water and is excreted as a paste or solid rather than a liquid, helping birds conserve water. This uric acid combined with feces makes the bird droppings more acidic compared to the mainly urea-based urine of mammals, which is more neutral. So, basically, the acidity of bird poop mainly comes from the uric acid component in their combined waste. How Much Time Do I Have to Remove the Bird Poop Off My Car? It depends on the bird, the finish of your car, and whether your car has a protective wax coating. I had a 2013 Mustang get a fat (expletive) on the front bumper. It was on the third day of ownership. I waited probably 3 days till I cleaned it off. Sold the car last year and still had the stain on the front bumper from the acidity of the (expletive) 8 years later." —YOMEGOFAX (Reddit r/cars) Bird poop is acidic, so it'll start etching immediately. As for how long it takes to notice: usually a day or so." —Unspec7 (Reddit r/cars) 6 hours." —13890gotoop (Reddit r/cars) In other words, you do not want to wait to find out. However, panicking can do as much, if not more, damage than the poop alone. The Worst Thing You Can Do When Cleaning Bird Poop Off Your Car's Paint The OP understandably probably panicked and did what only comes naturally when it comes to poop of any kind—scrubbing it off dry with tissue. Here's why this is so damaging: Bird droppings are not only acidic but often contain tiny bits of grit or seeds, making them abrasive. Rubbing it dry creates friction that grinds those particles into your clear coat, causing scratches, etching, and potentially permanent damage to the paint. If the poop has dried and baked in the sun, the acidity can also burn through the clear coat, leaving a dull or discolored spot behind. Other mistakes you can make: Using harsh chemicals (like household cleaners, bleach, or ammonia) —these can strip or damage your clearcoat and paint. Letting it sit for too long —even a few hours in the sun can lead to permanent etching. Using paper towels or rough rags —these can also scratch the surface. The Best Thing You Can Do Aside from not panicking, here are the common recommendations for avian waste removal and disposal: Soften it first —Soak a microfiber cloth or paper towel in warm water or a dedicated car-safe cleaner and let it sit on the spot for a few minutes. Gently lift it —Wipe gently, lifting away instead of scrubbing. Wash the area —Use car wash soap and water to clean any residue. Wax or apply sealant —After cleaning, reapply wax or sealant to protect that spot. Emergency Bird Poop Removal Kit for Tesla Model 3 (or any car really) A great quick emergency bird poop removal kit for your Tesla Model 3 should be compact, paint-safe, and easy to use on the go. Here's what you need to create your own kit Soft Microfiber Towels—they won't scratch the paint, are reusable, and will be gentle on the surface. A commercial detail spray or a spray bottle with distilled water —to loosen and safely lift the contaminants. Disposable Gloves—be sanitary due to bird poop can carry harmful bacteria and/or viruses. Ziplock Bags—to keep the kit together in your frunk and for hazardous waste disposal. A small bottle of spray wax or sealant in the kit (like Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax Spray) to re-coat the spot after cleaning. But if a kit seems like too much trouble, the next best thing for convenience is a commercial product like this one from Amazon. For additional articles on car maintenance and care, here are a few for your consideration: