is DOT4 brake fluid corrosive to paint?

[dBuvens]

What happens to the paint of your bike / car when you accidentally spill brake fluid on it? And if you wipe it off rather quick (within minutes), will it have time to damage the paint? ???

To my knowledge DOT 4 will attack your finish as most brake fluids do. Wipe it off and flush the area with a hose or a damp sponge.

I have spooged brake fluid on my tank out of the master cylinder resv. and haven't lost paint yet...I think it has to sit awhile to do its nasty thing. I discovered that it helps for me to lift the tank up on its prop before going to work on the MC end of the hydraulics

[dBuvens]

So, the effect is quite immediate? It's not something which shows up after a few weeks (paint bursting or spots appearing or rusting or so)?

I just asked because I topped up the brake fluid of my bike and put the flask on top of the car hood. A few drops spilled. I wiped them off but still, they had like a minute or two to do their work and when I wiped it off it didn;t leave any immediate damage. Or not as far as I could see in the dim garage lights... :-/

[mtm]

it will deteriorate paint especially quickly if the surface is hot/warm. Like if you spill it on engine covers while they are still warm.

Cover what you can and keep water handy

[Jason_S4]

As long as it's wiped off quickly and you dilute it with water it will be fine.

I noticed this weekend on my bike that the reservoir cap on my handle bars was all eat'n away at. Looks as though the gasket isn't doing it's job. Doesn't appear to have leaked onto any parts of the bike (thank god). I ordered a new gasket, cap, and reservoir. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

[wheelinman900]

Mine is eating away a bit, and is somewhat wet around the top. I've experienced the same with other bikes too. I think its just one of those things. Sometimes the gasket is not seated right when the cover is put back on after a brake service.