Does gasoline damage car paint? It’s one of the most worrying questions car owners have in mind.
Every time you drive into the gas station, you hope for the best services and quality fuel. Unfortunately, gasoline drops spill around the gas cap, and you drive off without even noticing.
But the most worrying issue is whether gasoline can ruin your sparkling paint.
Cars take us for official occasions, road trips, parties, track races, and eventually home after all the daily activities. We get emotionally attached to them as our reliable means of transport.
Frankly, a neat car will earn you a good reputation from friends and the clients you meet daily. Everyone finds means to clean their car after getting home. It’s just part of the routine maintenance.
How Car Painting is Done
New cars have the standard paint around their body and a clear overcoat. The overcoat acts as paint protection.
However, the overcoat is very sensitive to slight scratches or strong substances. It quickly fades if exposed to certain conditions.
Many car owners worry if drops of gasoline can ruin this overcoat. The fact is that gasoline spreads quickly around the area due to its smooth lining.
Does Gasoline Damage Car Paint?
You may be surprised to learn that gasoline can ruin your sparkling paintwork. Below, I’ll walk you through ways in which gasoline can damage your car paint. Let’s dive in;
1. Gasoline Degrades Your Car Paint
According to this experimental video, gasoline slowly degrades the car paint. In the experiment, two-sample car bumpers were used. One was grey painted and the second was yellow painted.
The bumpers were well cleaned with soapy water to remove debris and dust for better results.
After drying, a small area was marked using tapes, and the gasoline was applied on the surface.
The gasoline was well smeared on both surfaces to effectively react with the paint using droppers.
Surprisingly, you couldn’t see the effects with bare eyes. But upon zooming in the camera, the paints had slightly faded.
The experiment reveals that gasoline slowly degrades the car paint.
You may not notice any effects upon leaving the gas station. But after several days, you may see the difference in your car paint.
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2. Gasoline on Paint Leaves Stains that Attract Dirt
Although gasoline may evaporate quickly, it leaves some stains. During winter, the roads have snow, salt, and grime, which may fry to these sticky, stained areas.
Some of these materials, like salt, are acidic. The worst happens when it gets hot, and the paint expands. These substances seep in and lie under the coat.
When the paint contracts during the cold season, they start corroding the metallic body.
With time, the car paint fades. Unfortunately, it’s hard to notice the cause is gasoline.
3. Immediately Wiping Off the Gasoline Poses More Risk
The first thing that comes into your mind is finding a piece of cloth. And immediately, you wipe off the gasoline drops. Hell no! Gasoline will hurt your overcoat even more than you would think of.
It’s better to let the gasoline evaporate first before wiping it. Wiping the car surface at that moment, even lightly, is more abrasive.
Luckily, soaking up the gasoline with a microfiber cloth will restore the paint. Afterward, you can wax the surface.
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4. Washing With Water is Even Worse
If gasoline spills on your car paint, don’t try to wash it with water. Water will worsen the situation by spreading it over a wide area.
Rather than diluting it, water will not clean the gasoline. It strongly forms a large stain that will cost you even more to clean.
Instead, use baking soda, white vinegar, and hot water to remove the stain and neutralize the gas odor. You’ll leave the paint sparkling.
Effective Way to Get Gasoline Out of the Car Paint
To do away with gasoline stains without harm, carry out the following procedure;
Step 1: Let the gasoline evaporate. It usually takes around one minute to evaporate fully. However, don’t extend this period because the gas may dry up and stain the surface.
Step 2: Use a microfiber cloth to soak up the remaining gasoline. Just lay the microfiber cloth on the surface but don’t rub off.
Step 3: Wash the surface with mild soap and water. Note using water only may spread the gasoline and cause fire risks.
Step 4: Wax the surface using a high-quality automotive wax. I recommend SHINE ARMOUR Ceramic Coating.
Step 5: Buff the surface to restore the shine of the overcoat and wax the area for the second time.
What Will Ruin Car Paint Overnight?
Your car paint is subject to many things that can quickly damage it. Here are the most common and risky substances;
- Bird droppings
Bird droppings contain uric acid, which quickly degrades the car paint. The uric acid is believed to start reacting with the metal surface within 48 hours.
- Brake fluid
Brake fluid acts as a thinner once it gets into your car paint. It erodes the paint job and causes it to peel. However, this may not apply to all brake fluid brands. But why would you risk with your car?
- Tree sap
Sticky tree sap can be hard to remove once it hardens. It discolors the car paint after staining. Ensure you park your vehicle in a safe area.
- Coffee and Carbonated Drinks
Coffee and drinks like soda have high acidity levels. If they accidentally spill on your car paint, they can lead to corrosion.
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FAQs on Car Paint
Does wd40 Damage Paint on Cars?
WD40 won’t damage your car paint. It effectively removes stains like bird droppings and tree saps from the car surface.
After using WD40, remember to rinse it off with mild soap and water. You can dry the area with a microfiber towel, and the car paint will shine.
Is Goo Be Gone Safe on Car Paint?
It’s very safe because that’s what it’s designed for. After using it, wash the car surface with hot soapy water, and your paint will shine.
Does gasoline damage car paint? Yes, it’s hazardous to spill gasoline around the car paint. As a car owner, always be keen to protect your paintwork.