[65BlueHorse]

Something ate the paint off of my car under the gas cap. It was obviously something that ran out of the tank so that means it had to be gas. I know that is a stupid statement. It has never hurt my paint before though. Will gas eat the paint off of a car or is it because its 10% ethenal or is it something that BP puts in their gas? This is what it looks like:
If it is just from the gas then is it possible for it to leak out through the cap becuase my gas cap is cracked really bad (not sure how it got so bad).

I just saw this today and i am pretty sure i didn't spill any gas last time i filled up so it has to be leaking out somehow.

[pcfrisch]

I think it may be the fumes causing it. Since they would be heavier than air.
But then again if your cap is cracked, the gas could be sloshing out of it.

[Veronica]

Hello. You could beat that clear plastic lense into splinters with a hammer and that would not cause the cap to leak. Your cap is obviously leaking, though. Does it feel like the cap's being pulled up tight when you close it? If no, the problem is the lip on the filler neck has been bent outward a little bit and isn't pulling the cap in like it should be, and, you should replace that rather than try to bend it back in. If yes, then the problem is with the back of the gas cap. The brass springy thing isn't doing it's job, or possibly the leather gasket thingy is worn out, and, again, you should replace that rather than try to repair it. Here's what the back of your gas cap should look like, except for yours will have that don't-loose-me cable on the back. Mine didn't come with that.

[4 stvmcqn]

Looks like the fuel is leaking by the cap. How old is the paint job?

[andrewmp6]

Its a leaking cap i believe.And whoever painted that car needs to learn how not to orange peal a car.

[65BlueHorse]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Its a leaking cap i believe.And whoever painted that car needs to learn how not to orange peal a car.

Hey, i painted it. haha. The paint is only about a year old but it needs a new paint job so i am mad that this happened but i have to paint the car anyway. This paint was kindof a temporary thing because i am going to have to replace the quarter panels.
The problem is probably with my gas cap then. The tube looks ok but i think the gasket/seal is worn out. Also the "don't loose me cable" is bent and pushes out on the bottom of the cap.

[JudisStang]

It was interesting reading the replies... sorry that happened, I guess it's a good thing you're painting her again!!

[Ivy66GT]

Originally Posted by 65BlueHorse

Hey, i painted it.

What kind of paint? Usually brake fluid will eat away paint but gas doesn't normally do that much damage unless the paint wasn't yet cured.

Orange peel was original equipment on Fords of the 60s.

[65BlueHorse]

Originally Posted by Ivy66GT

What kind of paint? Usually brake fluid will eat away paint but gas doesn't normally do that much damage unless the paint wasn't yet cured.

Orange peel was original equipment on Fords of the 60s.

It is caspian blue poly. Thats about all i can tell you. I got it from a parts store here and don't remember what name brand it was. Its not the original color of the car but it is a color offered on mustangs in '65.

[andrewmp6]

They still orange peal on new cars today but i hate it makes the car not shine like it could.Gas can eat paint but it takes years to do it.I think his paint wasnt hard enough yet or didn't stick good there.

[66Sprint200]

There is a mid-60s Dodge Dart wagon that comes to shows with me. The previous owner would always slosh gas out when filling it, and now the paint looks similar to yours. And I doubt it is something BP uses because the only gas company I use is BP.

[65BlueHorse]

Well it sounds like gas leaking from the cap is the most likely cause of this. My dad and i painted it so it is very possible that the paint was not set right or we did something a little wrong which caused the gas to be able to eat the paint quicker. I will get a new cap before i repaint the car and be very careful not to spil gas out when i fill it up. thanks for all the replies.

[Veronica]

Hi again. It would probably be a good idea to also go ahead and get a new filler neck. You can still get the Ford filler necks for these cars, avoiding any of the 'complications' of reproduction parts, and they aren't expensive. They cost less than the gas cap will.

[65BlueHorse]

Originally Posted by Veronica

It would probably be a good idea to also go ahead and get a new filler neck.

I had thought about that too. I usually just buy reproductions or aftermarket stuff because of the price but i will look for a ford one and check the price differences. I don't want this to happen after i get around to having it painted so i may spend the extra money to be sure everything fits right.

[66Sprint200]

Like my dad always tells me when I buy parts, there's the cheap way and then theres the right way.