I know--and am well aware--that brake fuid will damage paint. I've experienced this when this careless M-B independent shop spilled fluid around the brake-fluid resevoir. The fluid peeled or bubbled the paint within the engine bay. Of course, it's under the hood, so no one will see it. But what worries me most is the huge amount of fluid sprayed on my hood pad. I don't care much about the paint damage on the inner hood, but will the fluid damage the metal? Because the fluid pretty much soaked into the hood pad, it is difficult to just wipe off the fluid from the metal surface. I did get towels and sponged the excessive fluid, but there is a moist spot.

This incident happened months ago, and the area where the fluid was sprayed has since dried. But should I worry about rust or corroded metal in that spot of the hood?

Weird question, I know, considering that brake fluid touches metal components of the brake system. But I have to ask!

cossie - the brake fluid won't hurt the metal BUT water on the exposed metal will make the metal rust. Try to get some paint on it if you can. They don't call paint "protective coating" for nothing.

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Jim

In and of itself, brake fluid will not corrode metal, otherwise, your brake cylinders would be a rock of rust in no time. The problem is that it is hygroscopic and holds moisture, this moisture, in turn, corrodes metal.

Good luck,

About the hood pad....brake fluid is miscible in water. So after blotting, try flooding the hood pad with water to flush out as much brake fluid as you can from the pad.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K