removing gasoline marks from paint around cap
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
removing gasoline marks from paint around cap
After a roadtrip this weekend, I noticed there was some dark paint discoloration near the gascap on the back of my car -- they looked like drips of a liquid that have been blown by the wind.
I assume that on my last stop for gas some of it was dripped onto the paint (in Oregon, your gas is pumped -- there is no self-serve), and it stained the paint.
Has anyone dealt with this, and knows how to remove the stain? Washing the car didn't help.
[Modified by utt73, 4:01 PM 8/30/2002]
I assume that on my last stop for gas some of it was dripped onto the paint (in Oregon, your gas is pumped -- there is no self-serve), and it stained the paint.
Has anyone dealt with this, and knows how to remove the stain? Washing the car didn't help.
[Modified by utt73, 4:01 PM 8/30/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: removing gasoline marks from paint around cap (utt73)
Step #1 - forget about the laws. When I pull into a service station in NJ (where they pump the gas for you) I shut the car off, get out, say "give me the pump and DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING "
Step #2 - You probably have stains down in the paint. Regular car wash is pretty gentle to paint and won't remove very much dirt or stains. I would rewash the area with Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent to see if it removes it. If it doesn't you can try the following:
With a clean cotton cloth apply some 3M Swirl and Haze remover. This is the gentlest cleaner that you can use. If this doesn't do the trick go to the next coarser cleaner which is 3M Finecut polishing compound. This should do the trick but you should follow up with Swirl and Haze remover because the compound will leave the paint a little hazy. Don't overdue it because unless you know how thick the paint is on your car you can easily go through the topcoat to the primer. For more info on polishing go to my website in my sig and look at Reviving Old Paint. If this doesn't do the trick think about a luggage rack. :D :jester
[Modified by vettfixr, 6:13 PM 8/20/2002]
Step #2 - You probably have stains down in the paint. Regular car wash is pretty gentle to paint and won't remove very much dirt or stains. I would rewash the area with Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent to see if it removes it. If it doesn't you can try the following:
With a clean cotton cloth apply some 3M Swirl and Haze remover. This is the gentlest cleaner that you can use. If this doesn't do the trick go to the next coarser cleaner which is 3M Finecut polishing compound. This should do the trick but you should follow up with Swirl and Haze remover because the compound will leave the paint a little hazy. Don't overdue it because unless you know how thick the paint is on your car you can easily go through the topcoat to the primer. For more info on polishing go to my website in my sig and look at Reviving Old Paint. If this doesn't do the trick think about a luggage rack. :D :jester
[Modified by vettfixr, 6:13 PM 8/20/2002]
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
Re: removing gasoline marks from paint around cap (vettfixr)
Thank you for the advice. I tried the dish soap, and that didn't work -- so I called a local auto store and put a bottle of 3M™ Perfect-It™ Foam Polishing Pad Glaze Swirlmark Remover on order for tomorrow. Is this the 3M Swirl and Haze remover you mentioned, vettfixr?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: removing gasoline marks from paint around cap (utt73)
Yes. The full name is "Perfect It Foam Polishing Pad Glaze Swirl Mark Remover" I use the one for dark colored cars which is Part No. 39009. The bottle says "quickly removes light surface imperfections, swirl marks, light oxidation or minor stains". Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
Re: removing gasoline marks from paint around cap (utt73)
You didn't mention what type of paint is on the car. If it is urethane base
coat/clear coat then the gasoline may not have penetrated that far into
the paint. If it is lacquer color only or lacquer color/clear the gasoline will
penetrate farther into the paint and you may not be able to rub it out.
If it is clear coated and you know there is adequate clear coat, you may
want to try some 1500 wet sand paper on the area. Wrap the paper
around a flexible foam type sanding block.
Then use rubbing compound followed by mild polishing compound.
coat/clear coat then the gasoline may not have penetrated that far into
the paint. If it is lacquer color only or lacquer color/clear the gasoline will
penetrate farther into the paint and you may not be able to rub it out.
If it is clear coated and you know there is adequate clear coat, you may
want to try some 1500 wet sand paper on the area. Wrap the paper
around a flexible foam type sanding block.
Then use rubbing compound followed by mild polishing compound.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
Re: removing gasoline marks from paint around cap (vettfixr)
I bought the 3M™ Perfect-It™ Foam Polishing Pad Glaze Swirlmark Remover for $12.50, and it lightened the gasoline stain a little. The label says it's petroleum-based so I'm assuming it's liqufying the paint just a little to pull out the stain. It took off a little of the paint (I could see red color on the towel I was using to rub the stain off with) but didn't effect the finish. It's still as shiny as it was before the stain, so that's good.
I'll order some 3M™ Perfect-It™ II Rubbing Compound tomorrow and try that.
I'll order some 3M™ Perfect-It™ II Rubbing Compound tomorrow and try that.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: removing gasoline marks from paint around cap (utt73)
Be careful with the compound. You can see that paint came off with just the swirl and haze remover. The compound is a lot more aggressive so go easy or you will soon find out what color your primer is.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
Re: removing gasoline marks from paint around cap (utt73)
If you are seeing red on the towel then the paint is not clear coated.
Stain has likely penetrated thru the color coat. Would recommend not
trying to use anymore polishing or rubbing compound on it as you can
easily go thru the paint or leave a noticeable depression where you have
been rubbing. Now that you have it glossy I would keep it waxed.
In fact it is a good idea to always keep the area around the gas cap
waxed to provide a bit of protection from spills.
Over time, the sun may bleach some of the stain out and it will become
less noticeable.
Stain has likely penetrated thru the color coat. Would recommend not
trying to use anymore polishing or rubbing compound on it as you can
easily go thru the paint or leave a noticeable depression where you have
been rubbing. Now that you have it glossy I would keep it waxed.
In fact it is a good idea to always keep the area around the gas cap
waxed to provide a bit of protection from spills.
Over time, the sun may bleach some of the stain out and it will become
less noticeable.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
Re: removing gasoline marks from paint around cap (mark79,80)
I called the corporate office of the gas station, who put me in touch with local management, and met them there today so they could take some pictures, and it looks like they're going to pay to get it repainted. They asked me to go get an estimate from a paint shop to get the process started.
I scrubbed it as hard as I could for 2 hours on Monday with the Swirlmark remover, and I believe you're right that I went through the clearcoat (if I even had one) to the paint since my rag was turning red. The mark is still visible, but I don't want to make a bad situation worse by scrubbing down to the primer.
I'm going to pump my own gas into the 'vette from now on. Thanks for all your advice though, I think it prevented me from trashing my paint even more.
I scrubbed it as hard as I could for 2 hours on Monday with the Swirlmark remover, and I believe you're right that I went through the clearcoat (if I even had one) to the paint since my rag was turning red. The mark is still visible, but I don't want to make a bad situation worse by scrubbing down to the primer.
I'm going to pump my own gas into the 'vette from now on. Thanks for all your advice though, I think it prevented me from trashing my paint even more.
