DEF on paint
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: MI
DEF on paint
I have been following the def/urea trend for quite some time now and always believed it to be very corrosive. As a farmer and when we used 28% urea as a agricultural application it takes about 2 days to turn bare metal to rust. However I just read on a Caterpillar PDF that there is no reason to worry if DEF is spilled on a painted surface. I think they're wrong, but does anyone have experience getting this on their paint? Obviously I don't plan to make spilling def a habit but if it does will it fade paint or clear coat?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 463
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From: San Marcos, TX
I overfilled mine and ran some down the side of the truck. It crystalizes when it dries but washed off without leaving a trace. Maybe if you left it on for a while. I'm sure there would be warnings if it was that corrosive.
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Joined: Aug 2012
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I don't think it is exactly rust as urea [NH2]2CO in an aqueous solution has a weird reaction with iron metals. It produces a group of products that likely resemble rust.
It has been a long time since I have thought about these kinds of things. I used to do research with urea. Years ago I have witnessed the effects of what looks like rust, but never looked at the chemistry of the compounds produced, but urea is a very chemically reactive compound.
I wouldn't get to excited about spilling a little on the paint. When it dries on paint it just leaves the urea on the surface and it is very water soluble. Just wipe it off with a paper towel or rinse it off with a little fresh water.
It has been a long time since I have thought about these kinds of things. I used to do research with urea. Years ago I have witnessed the effects of what looks like rust, but never looked at the chemistry of the compounds produced, but urea is a very chemically reactive compound.
I wouldn't get to excited about spilling a little on the paint. When it dries on paint it just leaves the urea on the surface and it is very water soluble. Just wipe it off with a paper towel or rinse it off with a little fresh water.
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
I have been following the def/urea trend for quite some time now and always believed it to be very corrosive. As a farmer and when we used 28% urea as a agricultural application it takes about 2 days to turn bare metal to rust. However I just read on a Caterpillar PDF that there is no reason to worry if DEF is spilled on a painted surface. I think they're wrong, but does anyone have experience getting this on their paint? Obviously I don't plan to make spilling def a habit but if it does will it fade paint or clear coat?
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: VA- Shenandoah Valley
It would be easy enough to take two pieces of steel, one bare and one painted, and apply some DEF to them for a time.
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