I was just filling up the tank, at the local chevron, and it spilled it everywhere... my fender, my tire, my rim... all soaked with gasoline. I guess the the thing that stops the pump was broken or something, so it just spewed out everywhere.. got some on my pants and shoes too :furious: . Anyways, I cleaned it off with some water and a microfiber towel. Will wash it as soon as possible, but just out of curiousity, how bad is it for paint?

John
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lol I did the same thing before. I actually didn't get to wash it off for a while, it was in the middle of a road trip. Since then it hasn't done anything to the paint. I'm more worried about it getting covered in road salt...
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Yeah. I think it will effect it if its on there over time, or if you constantly spill it. I've noticed on older cars that I've owned that paint tends to wear there abnormally, so I've gotta think that its the gas.

Just grab the paper towel, even if you have to stick it in that dirty water, and get it off right away.
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Gasoline evaporates extremely fast, so only trace residue stays. It might dissolve some of the wax if left on the car undiluted, so pouring water on it is a good idea, washing it is even better, and waxing soon is better still.
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OK thats good. I didn't think it would do too much to the paint cause it dryed really quickly. I've even heard of people washing there car with a few drops of kerosene in water :confused: Anyways, just hope the gasoline comes out my pants too.
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Yeah. I think it will effect it if its on there over time, or if you constantly spill it. I've noticed on older cars that I've owned that paint tends to wear there abnormally, so I've gotta think that its the gas.

Just grab the paper towel, even if you have to stick it in that dirty water, and get it off right away.

I would have to say that’s a very bad idea. Gasoline may strip off your wax but it is not going to damage your paint. Best to just let evaporate and make sure you wax your car around the filler cap next time.

Paper towel should never be used on your paint, let alone using it in conjunction with dirty water. Never use a cellulose based product (paper, cotton, etc) on your finish. The cell structure is rigid and will definitely scratch/swirl your paint. That’s why all best products for cleaning your car are animal based (wool wash mitts, chamois, and so on). Being protein based, the cellular structure isn’t as likely to damage your paint.
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I've always wanted to put china clay on my car, and do some flow visualization (aeronautics nerd here :p ) China clay is basically flourescent powder mixed with kerosene, that you cover a model with in a wind tunnel, and run it until it dries, and you're left with a flow pattern.

But I've always been a little weary of COVERING my car in kerosene :(
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When I worked for a detailing company we used one paint sealant that was kerosene based (or at least contained kerosene). It shouldn't hurt your paint.
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Good stuff guys, thanks. Just washed and waxed it again. Everything looks fine. :banana: I'm gonna go have a talk with the owner of the that chevron...
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If your paint isn't cured, I'm pretty sure gasoline will screw it up fast. But unless you've painted your quarter panel in the past 2-3 months, you should be ok.
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dnt worry about gasoline...worry on a break fluid when it gets into ur paint..
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I've always wanted to put china clay on my car, and do some flow visualization (aeronautics nerd here :p ) China clay is basically flourescent powder mixed with kerosene, that you cover a model with in a wind tunnel, and run it until it dries, and you're left with a flow pattern.

But I've always been a little weary of COVERING my car in kerosene :(
I got a similar effect after a 300 mile winter roadtrip... Not sure if it is as accurate, though. Very interesting flow over the hood and roof. Anything passing over the middle of the hood went straight back, while it slowly curved off to the fenders when passing over either side. Flow over the scoop was straight back, except for the sides, where it curved off once it got to the back of the scoop. Similar for the roof... Straight when passing over the center, and curving off to the sides when passing over the sides. The wing was as I would expect it to be, except for that there weren't any marks on the outter sides. Everything else had marks that followed the curves of the wing.
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