Gas spill causing paint to bubble??

[mcmasad]

Guys - just curious if anyone else has had a similar issue.  I repainted my car this summer.  Sealed it, then basecoast, clear coat, etc.  It has been painted for several months now so the paint has had plenty off time to flash off.  I've driven the car throughout the summer, but never completely filled the gas tank.  I generally run a mix of 112 octane race fuel and 93 pump gas.  I filled the tank very full this last time for the winter (I'm probably at 15% race fuel and 85% 93).  I came home, parked it and then a week later noticed that the paint just below the filler cap has bubbled - it took off the coat and clear, but not the sealer.  Obviously the gas caused this but I'm curious if it was the race fuel or the 93.  Also, any good thoughts on repairing this?  I'm thinking of trying to feather in just that area, but have never done that before.  The base coat is PPG dbc and the clear is PPG dcu 2042.  Thanks.

[73Chally]

Same exact thing happened to another member on here.  If the tank was full, expansion in the tank most likely caused gas to seep out the top of the filler, and it worked it's way under the paint.  I believe he had to strip it down and repaint the area.

[elitecustombody]

Most likely it was the race gas, I've seen pump gas making the base/clear duller on spill area,and usually it takes a while,not just a few spills.What color is the paint?I do spot paint regularly and usually it's not hard to do, some metallic colors can be challenging ,especially light colors. I'd suggest practicing on some scrap fender a few times. Make sure the whole quarter has been compounded  if you want the new clear to blend in and have no weird streaks when fading and burning the edge, also you will need fade out spray. U-Pol makes good stuff, it helps to burn the edge with literally no traces of spot repair.

[mcmasad]

Thanks for the info.  The car is plum crazy.  I will head to the paint store this weekend.

[LAA66]

Most likely it was the race gas, I've seen pump gas making the base/clear duller on spill area,and usually it takes a while,not just a few spills.What color is the paint?I do spot paint regularly and usually it's not hard to do, some metallic colors can be challenging ,especially light colors. I'd suggest practicing on some scrap fender a few times. Make sure the whole quarter has been compounded  if you want the new clear to blend in and have no weird streaks when fading and burning the edge, also you will need fade out spray. U-Pol makes good stuff, it helps to burn the edge with literally no traces of spot repair.

 Great information. My problems have been blending out the repair. How do you fade and burn the edges?

[Cooter]

 Great information. My problems have been blending out the repair. How do you fade and burn the edges?

Blending paints isn't for the faint of heart. Been there, seen it done and tried it myself. VERY hard to get to look right and even if you manage to get it looking right, it won't be long before it looks like sh*t. Mask the entire rear quarter and shoot the whole thing. Being the paint wasn't that old and the mixer can match the color exactly, shouldn't have any problems with matching.

[elitecustombody]

Blending paints isn't for the faint of heart. Been there, seen it done and tried it myself. VERY hard to get to look right and even if you manage to get it looking right, it won't be long before it looks like sh*t. Mask the entire rear quarter and shoot the whole thing. Being the paint wasn't that old and the mixer can match the color exactly, shouldn't have any problems with matching.

Granted I can't really see my work years down the road because most of it done for dealership and mainly brand new cars that are still in plastic, however I've seen a customer's car I worked on about 4 years ago,the spot in the middle of the hood is still ok. So IMO it really depends on the steps,technique and materials used ,

If OP's car does not have vinyl top, that means he has to pull tail lights, bumpers all chrome trim, prep the whole back of the car with the roof because he needs a spot fixed on one quarter? 

[Cooter]

If OP's car does not have vinyl top, that means he has to pull tail lights, bumpers all chrome trim, prep the whole back of the car with the roof because he needs a spot fixed on one quarter?

Either that, or he/she will be back on here telling us how I was right and the repair looks like sh*t in about a year. Basically, this is why I don't EVER fill ANY of my cars all the way up with fuel. Never..


Or.....He can simply go for it and after getting frustrated, paint the entire back of car. You seem to forget, you have all the paints at YOUR disposal paid for by someone else. Most can't/won't buy the "Good sh*t"...

[elitecustombody]

Either that, or he/she will be back on here telling us how I was right and the repair looks like sh*t in about a year. Basically, this is why I don't EVER fill ANY of my cars all the way up with fuel. Never..


Or.....He can simply go for it and after getting frustrated, paint the entire back of car. You seem to forget, you have all the paints at YOUR disposal paid for by someone else. Most can't/won't buy the "Good sh*t"...

Cooter,I would have to agree with you,I keep forgetting that not everyone is a pro,has the right materials,e.t.c. But then again, OP mentioned that he painted the car, and I assumed he knows how to paint, so most painters in my opinion should be able to handle spot paint ,but that's my opinion and you know what they say about opinions, .   

[mcmasad]

Thanks for all your advice.  I spoke with the paint store today and they didn't think this was such a big deal to fix.  If it comes out looking poorly, I will repaint the entire quarter or paint a black stripe.  I have been considering a black stripe anyway.