So I went to fill up today and I zoned out for a few seconds and the fuel nozzle kinda slipped out of the hole and sprayed gas all over my rear valance and bumper. I quickly wiped it all off with some paper towels, but I'm afraid there is still some residue left over that could eat away at my paint and chrome. What's the best way to clean this mess up and to protect the paint?

 

soap + water

wax if you want to

 

Do I have to wash the affected areas right away or can they wait a day?

 

how worried are you? seems like the time sitting on here waiting for an answer would be better spent washing the affected areas.

 

id clean it right away, but thats just me...

 

yeah...its not really a big deal

my dad would always accitentaly drip some on his honda and it never ate away at his paint or anything. if youre really concerned then just wash it.

 

Gas evaporates. If you wash(wipe) it off, won't that be a bigger risk to the paint?

 

Wash it off ASAP. Gasoline is a solvent and will eat away at paint.
Jim

 

I've been too busy to take the time to wash it off. I'm not too worried because I've done it before, but I just thought I'd ask and see how bad it really is. Thanks guys

 

not a big deal if this happens occasionally - is the paint original or new? I'd just find some water to wash it off at the gas station, not paper towels. I keep a bottle of water in the trunk just for this reason - no matter what mine overflows unless I slow the pump down to a trickle towards the last 3 gallons...