Gasoline and clear coat

Bumpyroad wrote:
I hope gasoline doesn't harm the paint on my new Tacoma as I had to remove some tree sap and used that. I sort of "assume" that a gasoline vehicle shouldn't get skin rash from gasoline?? immediately washed it off however.
bumpy

Thought I would mention that turpentine which is a distillate of tree resin, usually pine, will likely be more effective for removing tree sap.

As an answer to the O.P.'s question, gasoline is not likely to hurt the clear coat unless heavy drops are left on it in the sun, or even on a really hot hood and left to dry. (Hard water may be more damaging) Don't discount the flammability, environmental, and personal health issues from regular direct contact with gasoline as well its fumes. I'm sure you realize that.

Grit dog wrote:
In general, no, gasoline or even stronger solvents like lacquer thinner, brake or carb cleaner or acetone will not damage fully cured urethane clear coats.
I'll routinely use gas or one of the above to remove road tar, decal or trim glue/residue on paint, clear,and gel coat. I wouldn't use anything stronger like xylene or Mek.

Not sure about Mek but acrylic urethane (the clear coat) is resistant to xylene too. It's some pretty tough stuff. I'd be more concerned about removing my wax job.

That said I've found the most effective bug cleaner is to just use some cheap car wash solution. And dedicated car wash solution won't eat the wax off painted surfaces. 1/2 cup in a bucket of water, a decent wash cloth, and bugs come right off. It helps to hose the front end off first and get it nice and wet.

N-Trouble wrote:
Gasoline??? Seriously??

Get ya some of these. Also Works great on trailer front cap

https://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Adobie%20pads

Just watch out. These are made for cleaning cookware. On automotive paint over time using these just damage the surface of the paint by creating micro scratches. Eventually it gets dull and has to be buffed out. I bet they'd work great on chrome though.

Gasoline??? Seriously??

Get ya some of these. Also Works great on trailer front cap

https://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Adobie%20pads

vortec22 wrote:
Go buy some "Bug and Tar" remover. Should be readily available. May want to re-wax the area after you use it though.

I had an old can of this that I started to use. looked at the ingredients and thought that gasoline would be easier on the surface.
bumpy

In general, no, gasoline or even stronger solvents like lacquer thinner, brake or carb cleaner or acetone will not damage fully cured urethane clear coats.
I'll routinely use gas or one of the above to remove road tar, decal or trim glue/residue on paint, clear,and gel coat. I wouldn't use anything stronger like xylene or Mek.
Watch out on powder coat though like aluminum camper or trailer skins. They don't like solvents as much.
That said I don't think it's a very effective bug cleaner. You don't want something that evaporates so fast, you want to get the bug guts softened by wetting and or cleaning agent. And you want the least amount of scrubbing possible or you're just scratching the clear coat more.
Doing it in the shade helps. I usually use spray windshield cleaner with ammonia on the camper front, boat tower or other bug splattered areas. But really any foaming cleaner or something that will penetrate and soak is what you're looking for IMO.
Bug n tar is fine. I don't prefer the residue left over but it works well and you gotta wash off the bug n tar afterwards.

Go buy some "Bug and Tar" remover. Should be readily available. May want to re-wax the area after you use it though.

I hope gasoline doesn't harm the paint on my new Tacoma as I had to remove some tree sap and used that. I sort of "assume" that a gasoline vehicle shouldn't get skin rash from gasoline?? immediately washed it off however.
bumpy