Are you tired of getting your hands covered in black grime every time you are refueling your car? If so, I understand — having a dirty gas cap door can be extremely annoying! Luckily, it is also a straightforward part to clean up!
How do you clean black stuff around the gas cap door? The black build-up surrounding the gas cap is often a mix of grease and mildew deriving from the evaporating residues of fuel. To clean it, use the following process:
Now you are all caught up with the basics of keeping your gas cap door clean. However, there are a couple of extra tips that can help you maintain your car in its best shape. Read on to find the best way to clean your fuel cap door in no time!
Cleaning the gas cap door is extremely easy, and you can do it successfully at home. However, it is essential to note that cleaning the gas cap itself at the same time can be hugely beneficial. Follow these steps for the best results!
Gather all the materials you will need before starting the job and get ready to get your hands dirty!
Before proceeding to clean the gas cap itself, it is essential to clean both the gas cap door and the surrounding area. Cleaning the gas cap alone might cause some of the fuel residuals to fall in the tank. To start removing the black dirt from the gas cap’s surrounding area, spray it with a multi-surface, all-purpose grease remover.
Opt for a spray or aerosol degreasers so you can easily focus on such a limited surface without spilling over the side of your car. Dilute the product, so you have a blend of four parts of water and one piece of chemical remover to avoid damaging the painting. The degreaser won’t need shaking, stirring, or, after applying, scrubbing.
After spraying the degreaser on the gas cap door, allow it to rest for a few minutes for the best results. You can see the grease slowly starting to melt as you allow the chemicals to work. Without touching the black grime with your bare hands, use a hose to remove both the compound and the dirt. While they will come off without issues, you should ensure that there are no chemical residues left on both the gas cap area and the side of your car.
Now that the surrounding area is back to its natural color and completely dry, it is time to clean up the gas cap. Unscrew the cap and move it onto a stable surface that you don’t mind becoming dirty or damaged. Whether you have picked your driveway or worktable, it is recommendable to protect the surface with newspapers or an old rug.
Start by applying or spraying the petroleum-based lubricant over the gas cap. Ensure to cover any area, even the difficult-to-reach screwing mechanism. Pick up your old cloth or rag and spread the lube across the surface through a scrubbing movement. By allowing it to work for a couple of minutes, this chemical will melt any hardened grease. Proceed to wipe the gas cap clean and repeat this step if necessary.
After you have cleaned the gas cap of the residues of the petroleum-based lube, cover it with a silicone-based spray. The first chemical will eventually damage the plastic of the gas cap if you have failed to remove it properly. Instead, the silicone-based spray is a great solution to ensure that the gas cap remains protected from other substances as well as wear and tear.
While screwing the gas cap back on, ensure that it does not show resistance. If you can reinsert it smoothly, it means that the mechanism is free of debris. Proceed to rinse the whole area with a hose to ensure that any residual chemicals and grease have entirely gone.
The procedure to follow to see your gas cap door and surrounding area clean is easy and straightforward, but keeping in mind these safety features can make your job safer.
Dirty gas cap doors are out of sight for most of the day, and we usually end up forgetting that grease can build up in it, too.
Moreover, some severe damages can derive from a dirty gas cap door. While it is easy to clean when the dirt first appears, the grime can extend to the fuel cap over time, making it difficult to open it and close it properly.
Even worse, if the grease and dirt end up on the gas cup itself, you might be facing a much bigger issue. Indeed, it is likely that the residues contaminate the fuel and settle at the bottom of the tank, plugging the gas pump or filter. Having to replace these parts of your car might be expensive, both in terms of money and time.
Instead, cleaning the gas cap door promptly as soon as it gets dirty is a quick and easy task that can save you a lot of frustrations later on.
First off, what is the black stuff that you are about to clean? In most cases, it derives from residual fuel build-ups, and it is a mix of mildew and grease. If you are feeding your car ethanol-based fuel, you should be aware of the characteristics of this substance.
Ethanol is commonly added to fuel to optimize its burning rate, increasing your car’s performance and mileage. However, ethanol tends to attract water and humidity particles from the surrounding environment.
With ethanol-based fuel sitting in your tank most of the time, it is reasonable that moisture will build-up around the gas cap. Since this area does not benefit from a steady airflow, the moisture will quickly turn into black mildew.
Additionally, the gas cap door is the part of your car that is continuously in contact with fuel, aside from the engine itself. However, unlike the engine, the fuel residual on this appliance tends to sit undisturbed for days or months. Without proper maintenance, this debris will spoil and turn to grease.
Cleaning the gas cap and the gas cap door are tasks that you can complete in under an hour. While we might keep postponing the cleaning day because this area is not one of the most visible ones, keeping your gas cap door clean and free of debris is essential. Indeed, failing to provide it with regular maintenance can lead to contamination of the gas in the tank.
