How brake fluid can kill a car
Under the hood of every car - whether it's a gas or diesel crumb or a new car - there is a tank of liquid that can easily "kill" the car.
There are many myths and legends about brake fluid on the Internet, such as that it easily removes scratches and scuffs from body paint. Some say that even repainting is not necessary. Just unscrew the cap of the brake fluid reservoir, pour it onto a clean rag and start sanding down the damage to the bodywork. A few minutes - and you're done! You don't need expensive polishing pastes, special tools, or even money. An invisible miracle!
You have probably heard of this method, or perhaps seen it used by some "masters". However, its consequences can be very dire. Brake fluid is one of the most aggressive chemicals in car paint. Easily softens the varnish, which creates the effect of filling scratches and scuffs. This is the danger of this technical fluid.
Almost all types of brake fluids used today contain hydrocarbons with an impressive list of aggressive chemical additives, each of which is easily absorbed by paint and varnish on the body (polyglycols and their esters, castor oil, alcohols, organosilicon polymers, etc.). Substances of the glycol class react almost instantly with a wide range of automotive enamels and varnishes. They are the least likely to affect bodies painted with modern water-based paints.
As soon as the brake fluid hits the paint, its layers begin to literally swell and rise. The affected area becomes cloudy and literally decomposes from the inside. With the inaction of the car owner, the coating peels off from the metal base, leaving sores on the body of your favorite car. It is almost impossible to remove brake fluid absorbed by layers of paintwork - neither solvents, nor degreasers, nor mechanical polishing help. You will not get rid of stains, and besides, aggressive liquid will get on the metal. In particularly difficult situations, it is necessary to completely remove the paint and reapply.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be handled very carefully. At first glance, such a safe substance (though not battery acid) can present a lot of unpleasant surprises for enthusiasts and careless drivers who decide not to wipe the engine compartment from accidentally spilled brake fluid. The parts of the body, on which it falls, after a while remain completely without paint. Rust starts to appear, later holes appear. The body literally starts to rot.
Every car owner should not forget that not only acid, salt, reagents or strong chemicals can kill the car body. Under the hood is a much more insidious substance that can spill and fly. And it is strongly discouraged to use this "miracle cure" to eliminate paint imperfections, scratches and scuffs.
