You have just cleaned your car. Then you spot a bird dropping on the hood.
Reaching for a cloth and rubbing the mark is tempting, but there is a better place to start: wash away the sand and dust first. After that, SurLuster Zero Cleaner gives you a simple way to tackle the remaining contamination.
Zero Cleaner is a mildly alkaline, compound-free cleaner which is designed to remove bird droppings, insect stains, water spots, and light oil film. Here is how to use it on a painted car panel, following SurLuster’s product directions.
How to clean the spot
1. Wash the car first
Wash away sand and dust before applying Zero Cleaner. Check whether the bird dropping has come away during the wash. If it has, simply finish your normal wash and dry routine.
Work on a cool body panel. Avoid using Zero Cleaner when the body is hot, or in strong wind or a dusty place.
2. Test, then spray
Test Zero Cleaner on an inconspicuous part of the surface first. Turn the spray nozzle to ON, then spray the area that still needs cleaning.
Keep the application focused on the affected panel. If you are cleaning a larger area, SurLuster recommends working one section at a time.
3. Wipe with a damp cloth
Wet a clean cloth with water, wring it out firmly, and wipe the sprayed area. Use the cloth to remove the loosened contamination without repeatedly pressing on a stubborn mark.
If the bird dropping landed on an unpainted resin part, the instructions are different: spray the cleaner onto the cloth, gently clean the spot, then wipe it with a cloth dampened with water and wrung out firmly.
4. Inspect and finish
Check that the contamination has been removed. Then finish with a wax or a Zero Series coating. Choose the protection product that fits your existing car-care routine and follow its application directions.
The sequence is straightforward: wash, spray, wipe, finish.
One cleaner for more than bird droppings
A normal shampoo wash is the right starting point, but some marks remain after washing. Zero Cleaner is designed for that next step. Its mildly alkaline formula cleans without abrasive polishing compounds. It helps to removes water spots, insect stains and light oil films along with bird droppings.
What about coated cars?
Zero Cleaner contains no abrasive compound and can be used on coated vehicles. Results may depend on the coating’s type, age, and condition. Test an inconspicuous area first, especially if you are unsure what coating is on the car.
If the treated area temporarily stops repelling water as expected, leftover cleaner on a glass coating may be the cause. Washing the area thoroughly with a neutral car shampoo and wiping it with a clean cloth may restore the water-repellent behavior. Depending on its condition, a coating may also be affected by the cleaner itself.
Where should you avoid using it?
Do not use Zero Cleaner on a repainted car, deteriorated paint or plating, fabric, leather, or rubber parts. It is not an interior cleaner. Take care around attached parts so liquid does not run into gaps where it could affect adhesion.
If you do not know whether a panel has been repainted or its finish is in good condition, confirm that before applying the cleaner. Keep the body cool, avoid dusty or windy conditions, and test a small hidden area first.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to wash before using Zero Cleaner?
Yes. Wash off sand and dust before applying the product. If washing removes the mark, you can stop there.
Can I use Zero Cleaner on a coated car?
Yes. It contains no abrasive compound, but coating type, age, and condition can affect the result. Test a hidden area first.
Will Zero Cleaner remove a scratch or damage in the paint?
Zero Cleaner is a cleaner for surface contamination, not an abrasive paint polish. If the surface is clean but a mark remains in the finish, do not expect additional cleaner to repair it.
A cleaner finish, with the right steps
One spot does not have to undo a clean car. Start by washing away sand and dust. Use Zero Cleaner on the remaining contamination as directed, wipe with a damp cloth, and finish with your preferred SurLuster wax or Zero Series coating.
Simple steps. A clean result.
