The bee droppings are acidic, but Cobey isn't sure how they affect car paint. She finds that if she wets down her car and lets it set, the bee droppings dissolve and can be washed away.
Bad things' falling from the sky is a timely issue, given the thick layer of smoke and soot created by the wildfires across the region. It is highly alkaline and very abrasive, according to the Auto Club and other experts.
The club advises garaging cars until the air clears and quickly washing ash off cars.
Meguiar's Inc., an Irvine-based producer of car care products, said the soot and smoke contain chemicals that can eat into the finish. They include calcium, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. The potassium can form potassium hydroxide, the main ingredient in drain cleaner, said Gary Silvers, vice president for research and development at Meguiar's.
A number of experts say it is vital to get the soot and ash off cars as quickly as possible. In some cases, experts advise blowing it off before wetting it down. A more conventional approach is to completely flush the car with water, use a good automotive soap and a washing mitt that will not grind the ash into the paint.
One last bit of advice is to check your air filter and possibly replace it. The crud has no doubt accumulated in the filters. If it is highly abrasive to paint, it is equally damaging to moving parts in your engine. Many motorists frequently change their oil and oil filters, but ignore air filters. The two go hand in hand in keeping the inside of engines clean.
I'll take the bee poop over ash any day.
Cobey said we should all celebrate bee droppings on our cars. Bee populations are reportedly declining due to pollution, mite infestations and the loss of wildflowers that they need. Bee poop shows that bees are still alive in our neighborhoods.
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ralph.vartabedian@latimes.com
