Diesel fuel on paint

[Stainless 45]

So the truck that I normally take to work broke down, and I reluctantly drove the M3. Along the way I end up behind a landscaping truck who has no cap on his fuel tank, only tape. Of course it splashes out and sprays the hood of my car with diesel. As I am running late I have to leave the car parked in the company lot where it will sit for 2 weeks, unwashed. Anyone care to advise on what I have to look forward to in the way of paint damage? The car was recently waxed, if that helps any.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Could you not get a pal to give it a quick wash?

[hieu1004]

I wouldn't leave it on for 2 weeks..you run the risk of ruining your paint... diesel gasoline is pretty corrosive.

[Singletrack]

I would guess it will be fine, but I always wash diesel off right away when it spills. You will lose whatever wax was there.

[SamS]

I'd figure out a way to find a hand-spray car wash, ASAP.

[Terraforce1]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

Could you not get a pal to give it a quick wash?

This.

Don't let it sit for two weeks. Rather ask someone to go give it a wash for you, even if you have to pay them. The bill will be greater if you have to get your car resprayed!

[Nine]

You don't carry any quick detailer in the car?

If all else fails, pray for rain, (which it has been)

[mdosu]

spray it down, you're good to go. Fuel evaporates.

[tibra1]

Wipe it down..fuel can definitly act like a solvent

[Edjay]

I spill diesel fuel all the time on the side of my white truck. Other than dirt sticking to it, it doesnt see, to bother the paint. At times Im too lazy to was it and goes unwash for months. The truck is white.

[DivideBYZero]

Diesel is just oil (and around 10% other stuff for the pedantic out there) and nowhere as corrosive as gasoline. It shouldn't hurt the paint at all.

[Stainless 45]

Thanks guys. I was hoping it wouldn't be as bad as gasoline. There's no one to even wash it for me, it's in an industrial yard and I am out of town. Hopefully todays rain took care of it, won't know for sure till I get back.

[surlynkid]

i drive a 2005 ram 2500 cummins turbo diesel. everyone that drives a diesel truck dribbles it down the side of the truck. your paint will be fine. everyone who is worried does not drive a diesel.

[M3PO]

Originally Posted by mdosu

spray it down, you're good to go. Fuel evaporates.

Diesel fuel is oily, it won't evaporate. But as others have said, it won't eat paint like gasoline.

[RussRamz]

OK, here it goes...

Diesel fuel, gasoline, jet fuel, or any petroleum based fuel will not harm your paint. It will remove wax and possibly attract dirt, but with a wash and coat of wax (or polish) and you'll be good as new.

None of these substances will cause corrosion! Corrosion forms from contact between two dissimilar metals, or oxidation (i.e., water in the form of humid air or straight up water) If anything, diesel fuel will prevent corrosion.

Don't worry about it, save your money and clean your car when you get home. Relax.

[rdollie]

Not to go too far off topic, but I'm not sure where people get the impression that diesel fuel is 'oily'? It isn't. Diesel, gas blends, 6-oil, etc. are all made from the same base crude stocks. The difference is in refining (or more accurately fractionation and additional processing.) Diesel pours and looks very much like any other gas blend (primary difference in look is the difference in dyes used.)

Side note, ever seen an IRS cop? I didn't know they existed until a few years ago but they actually pull big rigs over and check for red-dyed diesel fuel. If they don't find it they assume the operator is cheating and using heating oil and the owner of the operation can end up in a LOT of trouble for fraud very quickly!

Back to the topic, as others have said, spilling diesel on your paint is no worse than gasoline - shouldn't harm it unless your paint is new and uncured (I would end up with diesel on the side of my SuperDuty boat-hauler at every fill up - never hurt a thing except that like gas it will destroy any decal you have on your paint over time.)

[von_zoom]

I agree, little or no effect that cleaning and wax won't cure.
Have a nice trip.
vz

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by DivideBYZero

Diesel is just oil (and around 10% other stuff for the pedantic out there) and nowhere as corrosive as gasoline. It shouldn't hurt the paint at all.

Guess you never took organic chemistry..diesel is mostly C10 but ranges from C10- C15 with an average make up of around C12. Gasoline is mostly C8...

Dont know where you got that its oil.

[1MOREMOD]

no worries i use it to clean off bugs.

[Stainless 45]

Originally Posted by chriszeh

no worries i use it to clean off bugs.

Now that's good to know!

Thanks again guys, last thing I needed was more stress while fighting a never-ending battle to keep this car nice.

[1MOREMOD]

i was kidding?

[DivideBYZero]

Originally Posted by tibra1

Guess you never took organic chemistry..diesel is mostly C10 but ranges from C10- C15 with an average make up of around C12. Gasoline is mostly C8...

Dont know where you got that its oil.

You're right, I didn't take Organic Chemistry. Well done playing the intellectual laziness card. You recieve no points.

However in your attempt to be a smartass you missed the fact that all fuel is derrived from fractional distillation of crude... wait for it... oil. Diesel is oily. Diesel is also referred to as Fuel Oil. Odd that, don't you think? It does not mix with water, because... it is oily. It does not evaporate like Gasoline, not least because it is... oily. Quoting carbon atom counts from Wikipedia doesn't make you smarter. Just sayin'.