Left gas cap off for 200 miles - scratching fixable?

avalys · 10-01-06, 04:24

Yes, I'm an idiot, and I drove 200 miles with my gas cap flapping in the breeze, scratching the hell out of the gas filler door.

I would've driven longer, if a friendly fellow motorist hadn't pulled up next to me on the highway, pointed at the rear of my car, and made a wiggling motion with his hand. At first I thought he was telling me my wheel was coming off...

Anyway, the scratches are nasty, but they don't go through the paint. The paint feels rough to the touch, like you went over it with sandpaper, but unless you look at the right angle you don't really see any damage. In normal light, it just looks slightly duller in the scratched sections. I'm hoping I can just polish these out with my PC. I'll buy a 4" pad - any recommendations for what products to use? All I have at the moment is Zaino Z-PC.

I don't really care about getting it perfect, just improved.

Here are some photos. The flash makes the first look _way_ worse than the damage really is. Note that in the second, it looks completely untouched. It seems like the equivalent of really, really bad swirling.

Any advice and commiseration would be appreciated.

ret · 10-01-06, 04:49

My vote is that it probably will come out using your z-pc by hand with a micro-fiber pad for a little extra bite.
You'll just have to rub on it for a while.

RET

Way2SSlow · 10-01-06, 06:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by avalys

Yes, I'm an idiot, and I drove 200 miles with my gas cap flapping in the breeze, scratching the hell out of the gas filler door.

Nah man, take it easy. People forget things. I'd forget my head if it weren't attatched and I am NOT joking about that). No big deal, that damage doesnt look so bad. I'm sure you can take care of it. Here's a gas door that I took care of for a friend.

benvegas · 10-01-06, 07:06

By your pictures, and given that it's a nice bright red, should have no problem polishing it out. Just go slow, take your time.

Setec Astronomy · 10-01-06, 07:20

Yeah, stuff happens. As has been suggested, try the Z-PC by hand, if not a 4" orange pad should do it.

n2_space · 10-02-06, 10:15

I've gotten out much much worse by the gas cap, so I would venture to say yes

qballjr13 · 10-02-06, 10:26

Did your check engine light come on? I know they do on a lot of cars if the gas cap isnt tightened down.

SHICKS · 10-02-06, 10:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by qballjr13

Did your check engine light come on? I know they do on a lot of cars if the gas cap isnt tightened down.

Especially BMW's, I wondered the same thing.

Steve

avalys · 10-02-06, 10:46

Great, thanks guys, I feel a lot better now. I'll give it a shot by hand and see how it goes.

The check engine light did not come on! I wish it had, that would've saved me a lot of aggravation. I found that sort of strange as well.