Gasoline and clear coat

[jefffoxsr]

Will using gasoline to remove bugs from the front of the vehicle compromise the clear coat or damage it?

Will isopropyl alcohol damage the clear coat?

Thanks.

[Bumpyroad]

well got my turpentine. the gasoline seems to work better on the tree sap.
bumpy

[Bumpyroad]

just checked my old can of tar/bug remover. xylene and mineral spirits.
bumpy

[mkirsch]

Repeated contact with gasoline over time does harm the clearcoat.

On my 2003, in the thousands of fuel-ups I performed, I inevitably had a couple of spill-overs where the automatic nozzle failed to function properly, and/or where the idiot who fueled up before me "bo-ob-y-trapped" the nozzle by leaving it filled with gasoline so when I tipped the nozzle down to insert it in the filler neck, a cupful of gasoline "blurped" out on to the paint.

Each time I would immediately do my best to clean it off and apply new wax, but many times it was in the dead of winter and water froze immediately.

Anyway by the end of 12-1/2 years, the area under the fuel door was noticeably dulled and discolored compared to the rest of the truck.

[ACZL]

Use drier sheets that have are wet after you wash the vehicle. Rinse often and rinse where you used the sheet. Do the same w/ fronts of RV's. Not sure if the sheets will scratch glass or not.

[DKean]

Simple Green. I use it full strength.

[bedrocker]

lemon pledge works great and leaves a wax finish

[Bumpyroad]

nofoolin wrote:


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

just added that to my shopping list.
thanks
bumpy

[Retired_JSO]

WD 40 for tar. Bugs come off easily with a used dryer sheet.

[darsben1]

Scrubbing Bubbles

[SouthpawHD]

There's a product called Bugslide that I have used for many years on my Harley and it works very, very well. No issues on the paint. Never used on my truck, because it's a truck and it gets bugs on it 😉

For tar removal, I've used 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner. I washed and waxed thoroughly after using.

[gbopp]

WD-40

[nofoolin]

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.

[Campfire_Time]

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.

[N-Trouble]

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