I got petrol all over my tank!

**Tigadee** · 20th October 2011, 21:45

Silly me, I overestimated how much petrol I needed to top up and the fuel just gushed out of the fuel tank, spilling almost all over the surface of the tank!

What should I do? Besides light a match [I know some of you will make that joke.... You know who you are!]

Can the petrol damage the paint? I washed with mild soapy water and then wiped it dry. Is that enough?

**nathanwhite** · 20th October 2011, 21:49

How did you accomplish that? Were you on prepay and didnt have the auto turney offey thing on?

To answer the question though, it shouldn't, I've had some dribble on the tank when I was in a hurry to get going and didn't wait for it all to stop. Petrol evaporates, so it was probably gone by the end of the ride, but your clean would have got everything.

**The End** · 20th October 2011, 21:51

Just set the pump to "fill" and hold it there until it cuts off automatically next time

**bluninja** · 20th October 2011, 21:52

You must be really rich...I can't afford to waste petrol like that

Washing off with soapy water should be fine.

I'd have used the screen squeegie on the tank to clean it at the station before I set off.

**ellipsis** · 20th October 2011, 23:58

...years ago a bloke i new , reckoned he could taste the difference between 'super' and 'regular'...he's dead, quite some years back...strange stuff that 'benzine'...

**hellokitty** · 21st October 2011, 04:37

Make sure you have washed it off properly - I splashed my tank a little, and some went on the instrument panel (where the lights show the indicator, neutral etc) and it left weird marks on it.

**unstuck** · 21st October 2011, 05:17

Petrol pouring over hot engines or exhausts can be rather nasty.

**PrincessBandit** · 21st October 2011, 06:00

On the odd occasion I've had that happen to me I just wipe it with a paper towel. Doesn't seem to make much difference though, the evaporation is reasonably quick. I still wipe it anyway just to make some attempt at "cleaning up".
If it's a significant amount then I would suggest you take more notice when filling up. Unless you have lots of money to spend on wasted fuel or you have no concern of where else it might splash...

A little dribble now and then shouldn't hurt. Unless you do that in front of the toilet consistently and your partner keeps getting their feet in it...!

**sinfull** · 21st October 2011, 06:03

No problem apart from what was said about hot exhausts, vapor, explosions, words like that ! The paint should be well cured by now and a bit of gas aint gonna hurt it, usually a splash of water from a bucket at the gasso (after putting cap back on) will wash any surplus from dodgy areas before you start it again !

**Owl** · 21st October 2011, 06:20

Yeah what sinfull said!

While fuel will have a devastating effect on enamel (can be used as a thinner), your paint will not be affected. Lacquers should also be unaffected, though no solvent should be left on a painted surface for a period of time, like a solvent soaked rag for example.

**Tigadee** · 21st October 2011, 09:42

WHEW! Thanks, guys (and gals if any)! That's a load off my mind...

Yeah, I was wasteful and dumb, as the tank said 1/4 left and I'd over-estimated and told the attendant $15. It was evening pre-pay, so I couldn't just fill as I normally do.

Boy, do I feel sheepish... Baaaaa!

**sil3nt** · 21st October 2011, 14:18

Originally Posted by Tigadee

It was evening pre-pay, so I couldn't just fill as I normally do.

Yes you can. You either stand next to your bike until they give you the thumbs up or you go in and ask if you can fill up and they activate the pump for you.