Best way to clean bird droppings off sunbrella?

[Ziggy]

Last summer some local birds decided to have a party on my boat, leaving their droppings all over the deck and dodger. I suspect an osprey, because I actually saw the evil fowl perched on the dodger and found half eaten fish on deck. The droppings leave white stains that are hard to scrub off the nonskid, but they just don't come off the blue sunbrella. I first tried soapy water, then vinegar (figuring the crap was basically calcium from the fish bones) without success. Any other suggestions?

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by Ziggy

Last summer some local birds decided to have a party on my boat, leaving their droppings all over the deck and dodger. I suspect an osprey, because I actually saw the evil fowl perched on the dodger and found half eaten fish on deck. The droppings leave white stains that are hard to scrub off the nonskid, but they just don't come off the blue sunbrella. I first tried soapy water, then vinegar (figuring the crap was basically calcium from the fish bones) without success. Any other suggestions?

Try a product called "Barkeeper's Friend." It now comes in three forms -- powder, iiquid, and a very thick liquid in a hand-spray bottle with the word MORE prominently on it.

This last one is the newest. Just spray it on and let it sit for about 30 seconds and then wipe it up. Some stains take two or three passes but that stuff cleans just about everything. Test it on an inconspicuous place on your canvas, or a leftover scrap if you have it. I haven't tried it on Sunbrella yet, and you might check with that mfgr to make sure it doesn't weaken the waterproofing or something. I like the new stuff in the spray bottle better than the powder, but both work better than the other liquid.

I really should buy stock in that company ...

[IdoraKeeper]

Car wash so or laundry detergent. Pressure wash the sail covers. Nice mix of popcorn with lots of salt will have birds roosting elsewhere..or 12 guage pump.

[wingless]

Here is the Sunbrella Marine Tops and Covers - Care and Cleaning document.

[Ziggy]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I think I would find a 12 ga very satisfying, but unfortunately I can't afford to sit on the boat full time. I already tried a bunch of detergents with no success. The Sunbrella site recommends detergents and degreasers for bird droppings, but this stuff looks more like hard white scale than grease. I asked them about barkeeper's friend, but I think I'll try it regardless.

Any other suggestions? Please keep them coming.

[forsailbyowner]

What I use for cleaning my canvas is LAs Totally Awesome. Its lifted stuff straight bleach and laundry detergent wouldnt touch. Especially good on black mold and mildew. The original yellow stuff.

[sailcruiser]

Originally Posted by forsailbyowner

What I use for cleaning my canvas is LAs Totally Awesome. Its lifted stuff straight bleach and laundry detergent wouldnt touch. Especially good on black mold and mildew. The original yellow stuff.

This is what I use too. The only place I can find it reliably is Dollar General. It's cheap and multipurpose.
SC

[Ziggy]

$1.00 for 32 oz! Totally awesome!

Thanks!

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by wingless

Here is the Sunbrella Marine Tops and Covers - Care and Cleaning document.

Thank you for that link, Wingless!

To the other fellow, please let us know how the products you try work out. j

[wingless]

Originally Posted by Rakuflames

Thank you for that link, Wingless!

You are welcome!

[Ziggy]

Well, after trying various chemicals, it turns out that hot water with a bit of mild detergent works pretty well.

[J Sail]

The white stuff isn't calcium, it's dried uric acid, the primary constituent of urine. Birds are able to concentrate it tremendously so they don't have to carry as much water (birds have to fly after all). Hot water presumably works well because it dissolves the dried uric acid.