How to Keep Brake Fluid From Car Paint Finish

You should handle brake fluid with extreme caution. Brake fluid, particularly DOT3 and DOT4, can eat away at your car's paint. Eventually, the paint tainted by the brake fluid will flake off from the vehicle. However, you can take measures to protect and preserve your auto. Read on to learn how to keep brake fluid from car paint finish.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Handle the brake fluid very carefully. Try not to spill it and when changing the brake fluid in a car, pour it in very slowly and always keep an eye on what you're doing.

2. Keep any container of brake fluid closed tightly to prevent spills. Seal the container as soon as you are done using it.

3. Wipe the area with a clean cloth. If you get brake fluid on a car's paint, wipe it clean with a cloth. When removed quickly, it should not cause damage to your car. If you get to it within 5 minutes, the paint should hold up against the spill.

4. Take the car to an automotive paint shop if brake fluid does damage the paint. An automotive paint shop can let you know what they can do to fix the paint job.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are using DOT5 brake fluid, then you can relax when handling it. This type of brake fluid does not wreck a car's paint job.
• Some people actually use the corrosive brake fluids as paint strippers.

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