What is a chemical strip on car paint?
Most brake fluid is glycol based, and like paint thinner it softens paint. So do stripper and solvents. They work down through the clear coat and colour while they stay wet. That is why the damage has soft, runny edges, and why it got worse after the spill.
What kind of repair does it need?
It depends how far it got. Light damage from acids and solvents can be flatted, compounded and polished. If it only dulled the surface, a polish may fix it. If the paint softened, wrinkled, lifted or changed colour, the panel is sanded, primed where needed and painted.
If only the shine changed, a machine polish takes it back to fresh clear coat. If the colour changed too, polishing cannot fix it and the panel is painted.
What to do next
If any of it is still wet or tacky, flood it with water. Do not wipe it, because a cloth spreads it onto clean paint. If it reached bare steel, that spot will start to rust, so do not wait. If someone else caused it, the run shape makes it easy to identify.
Sources
- PPG GBpaint maker
accidental spillage of corrosive substances such as brake fluid, bird droppings, or battery acid…
- Wikipediaencyclopedia
Most brake fluids used today are glycol-ether based…
- Sherwin-Williams Automotivepaint maker
Sand and featheredge damaged areas to remove chips, then refinish
- Standoxpaint maker
Micro/Spot repair or complete refinishing is necessary for true rectification
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