Looks like the the past few posts basically state there will be stains on the pooped spots and dark blue paint can be tricky with the house mix. This is one of my customer’s barn. The paint itself is in good condition. I will have to ask about how long the poop spots have been there. I would like to know if I can improve it and safely remove the poop from the painted wood by soft washing it. I can temper her expectation and let her know that there will be stains but at least there won’t be further damage and I imagine it will look better… Would you guys still advise against using the house mix and soft washing it? I guess the dark blue paint scares me a little. Is it just the paint with organic pigments or are they other factors with dark colors? She seems to know exactly which paint was used, so I can look it up if the organic pigment is the issue with SH reacting to it.
A car detailer’s website says, “A bird’s droppings can damage paint because acidity levels can range from a pH of 3.5 to 4.5. The acid begins to burn and etch the paint’s surface.” Scary stuff.
Just do a test section with 2-3% hw mix with spray bottle. I’ve had no issues on darker paint, definitely check for organic paint though. In my experience the poop cleans up pretty good, of course I do use warm water too. I guess too how long it’s been on there. I’ve done some with sodium percarbonate when not real bad, it’s not as good as sh though, but milder for sure if worried about darker color reacting. If it passes the 2-3% hw test 1% or under shouldn’t hurt it.
Has she had anyone out to install bird control measures? Until she stops the birds from getting behind the soffits, the poop will be back in a few days.
As far as cleaning goes, I’d wet it and let the droppings soften up a bit then use a brush dipped in a bucket with a citris cleaner (I like the Zep brand) give it a gentle brushing and rinse/repeat.
Thank you both. I think I got a plan of action. 
Sometimes the bird poop will ruin the paint and when you remove the drippings the paint goes with it
That looks terrible. I bet some has to be scrubbed with soap.
Some brushing for sure 
What kind of soap would you use?
I would just use my elemonator. Nothing fancy just something safe for the paint that will soften the bird poop up. Soap it with your house wash and let it sit, try using your wand to get it off and what ever doesn’t come off go back with more soap and brush it. If that doesn’t work try something fancy but be careful what you apply to their siding.
I wouldn’t do it because your going add an hour or more just messing with it. I would walk unless you need the money then charge more for sure.
I assume a non caustic ? Would be worried the degreaser would take some paint off or stain potentially
Some poop comes off easily with a normal dwell time of HW mix but some don’t. Hw mix wasn’t doing the job for this so I had to hit it with a light degreaser, scrub, dwell, and reapply before it finally decided to come off. This was behind a birds nest.
Those birds need to see a gastroenterologist.
Dirty bird is supposed to work good,from. Winsol,but it is 90 dollars a gallon it has live enzymes that eat the droppings
