I am on my way home tonight from dinner. As I am driving down I-95, it looks as though it has started to drizzle..little drops of water on the winddhield. So after a minute or so I flick the wipers and it smears the "water" on the windshield..I hit the fluid..clears a little bit....then I notice the rainbow. I stick my hand out the window, wipe my hand across it and have a smell.

It seems that either the tractor trailer or car in front of me was leaking fuel (diesel or regular I don't know.) Anyway I goto the local do it yourself car wash (which I really don't do..too many bad things heard) and I attempt to hose it off. Oh by the way did I mention that it is 32 degrees out and the cops have this puzzled look on their face as I am hosing the truck off?? More on that later...

Here are the questions.

1) What can happen to the paint/surface of the truck having fuel on it for 30 minutes or so. I know I did not get 100% of the fuel off either.

2) I used the soap and also the spray on wax selections to remove as much of the fuel as possible and to replace whatever wax I could. I was not going to use the brush.

3) Anyone have this happen to them before? A neighbor said that it ruined his paint on his car and he needed a new paint job.

Thanks Everyone!

-Tills

Oh the cops came over to see of I was drinking since it was freezing out and I decide to wash the truck. After smelling the fuel on the truck (it was THAT bad) and my story checking out we had a good laugh and they went to catch some bad guys.

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2001 F-150XLT SuperCab, Styleside, Silver, 4X4, 4R100, 5.4L, 3.55LS, 17in Rubber, Sport Package, Bedliner, Sliding Rear Window and A partridge in a pear tree...

 

I think a good bath in Dawn dishwashing soap and a wash mitt should take care of it. I think you took the appropriate action by going some where immediately to dilute it and get as much off as possible but would think between the Dawn, which is really just a degreaser, and the rubbing action of the mitt would remove it.

If not (I know you don't want to hear this from our previous conversations LOL) you might want to try a clay bar to remove any remaining residue. If it has actually permanently stained the clear coat though, its probably something for the pro's.

Good luck.


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'99 L, JL Stage II Ram Air, Bassani cat-pipes, Borla cat-back, R9 Superchip, Cal-Tracs, Chassis Tech 2" drop shackles, Water Wetter

'93 Cobra, 1 5/8" FMS shorty headers, 2 1/2" Mac cat-pipes, Borla cat-back, 180 degree thermostat, 4" ram air, 3.55 gears, March pulleys, strut tower brace, Kenne Bell flip chip, Crane Hi-6 ignition, Crane coil, Global West Trac-Link, Hurst chrome shifter, Canton oil pan, BFG g-force kd tires



[This message has been edited by BlueOvalBolt (edited 01-29-2001).]

 

Hey Blue

Thanks for the comments. I had a good laugh about the clay bar. I was thinking of washing and waxing this weekend if it is not freezing out.

Has anyone waxed a car in 40 degree weather? Would there be any suggestions since I have never done this before. I would assume gloves and the proper winter attire as not to freeze.

Thanks!!

-Tills

 

The wash shouldn't be a problem but from what I have read, 60 degrees is the minimum temperature required when applying polish or wax to the surface.

 

LeatherRebel,
Diesel fuel will not hurt your clear coat. If you have access to a heated garage, leave your truck there overnight before waxing your truck. I was in a situation one time when I was travelling through Pennslyvania to go camping. I was following my friend's F-250 when I began to notice fluid on my windshield. I first thought that it was diesel fuel but, then I notice brake fluid smell so I pulled over and saw brake fluid all over my new car. It ruined the hood, roof and the top of the trunk. The brake fluid came from my friend's F-250 rear brake cylinder.

 

Boy, the cops in Newark must be really busy. Winter happens to be the busiest time of year for us car washers. If nobody ever came into the car wash when it was below freezing i'd starve!! As for the diesel fuel, look at most of your nu-finish type products. First line on there says "this product contains petrolium distilates". Since you washed it off so quick I wouldnt worry about it.. So what are your car wash "horror" stories, maybe I can confirm or deny them for ya.

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2001 Supercrew, white/silver Lariat,

• gray leather capt. chairs,
• 5.4L,
• Expedition console,
• Truck Master Designs front air dam w/lights
• window tint
• wood dash,
• cobra hood,
• billet grill,
• Ford chrome tube steps,
• Line-X liner,
• Magnaflow cat-back dual exhaust w/stainless tips,
• k/n filter,
• Audiovox flip down TV
• V-Tech tail light covers and front marker covers
• Ventvisors
• Astro fiberglass tonneau

http://hometown.aol.com/washyourcar/supercrew.html one50npump@aol.com

 

LeatherRebel,
We ended up repairing the brakes at the campsite and I called my insurance company when we got back home. I was amazed on how fast the brake fluid ruined the clear coat paint. Fortunately, my friend owned a body shop and he ended up repainting my car.
Bugman.

 

Bugman,

All I can say is OUCH! Thanks for the info. And whatever happend to your truck? Whatever happend to your friend?

-Tills

 

Yo Pump,

Newark is primarly a college town, University of Delaware is located there. It is superbowl night and I am sure they were on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary.
Just 2 weeks ago my friend was pulled over in newark for making a right hand turn from a parking spot. Go figure! He got off with a warning.

It is a college town...that's all i can say

-Tills