Regarding the water spots.

I used a 1:1 mix of distilled water and distilled white vinegar to attempt to remove them from the glass today. Worked perfectly. It's important to buff out the area with a dry towel before the liquid solution has a chance to dry, otherwise spots may remain.

I then tried a section of the painted hood. Worked equally well. I won't do the whole car until I have a chance to wash it again. There's already a number of fine particles on the paint, so doing it right now will likely cause scratches. It's a bit cumbersome but I think the process will go something like this

1) wash car thoroughly and dry
2) use the vinegar/water solution to remove spots
3) repeat #1
4) wax/seal

 

Bird droppings are acidic and if left unattended long enough, will eat and etch into the clear coat. If this happens you may or may not be able to sand and buff it out. It all depends on how deep it penetrated. Before doing any kind of detail work, use a vinegar/water mix, baking soda/water mix, or some all-purpose cleaner (all alkaline mixtures) to neutralize the area. If it is not neutralized it will almost always return.

Hope this helps and good luck..

 

Quick ques: will handwashing soap be a good detailer to keep up the work well?

 

Do you mean liquid hand soap like Dial, as in for bathrooms and kitchens? No, don't use hand soap or dish soap on your car. Use a product designed for auto paint.

 

Don't forget to find the bird and make it pay !