# Shell Nitrogen Additive **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 28, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shell-nitrogen-additive/32551 "2009-06-28T21:11:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jdepietro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aca169/32.png) [@jdepietro](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jdepietro)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shell-nitrogen-additive/32551/1 "2009-06-28T21:11:57Z")
we have used shell gas a long time , however we have noticed a discoloration of the paint when the gas drips on the side of the car. we have a 6 month old white audi and can not get the discoloration out.the dealer has said he has heard this from a number of people and he could not get the discoloration out. we have brown stains on the side of the car. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 2:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shell-nitrogen-additive/32551/2 "2009-06-30T14:31:22Z")
I’m gonna bump this one. I’d like to hear more on this too, in case I need it. We had a true chemist sign on to discuss the nitrogen additive for an earlier post. His/her knowledge was humbling. I’m hoping he/she will join us on this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 2:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shell-nitrogen-additive/32551/3 "2009-06-30T14:42:56Z")
Any gas will eat away at the paint if it is allowed to drip down the side of the car. Next time this happens, be sure to immediately wipe up any mess you make before it has a chance to dry. This was a problem long before Shell started its Nitrogen marketing campaign. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shell-nitrogen-additive/32551/4 "2009-06-30T14:55:37Z")
Whitey, I agree that repeated exposure will discolor paint, but i got the impression that this formulation seems to be more aggressive. I hope my impression is wrong. But I would like to hear something about the chemistry involved. ---
**Author:** ![jdepietro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aca169/32.png) [@jdepietro](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jdepietro)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 3:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shell-nitrogen-additive/32551/5 "2009-06-30T15:08:36Z")
whitey I do wipe the gas away immediately. I filled up yesterday and the gas dripped on the car - wiped right away - stain would not go away. This has not happened before - result was immediate discoloration. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 3:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shell-nitrogen-additive/32551/6 "2009-06-30T15:09:19Z")
The Shell “nitrogen additive” is more about marketing than chemistry…Many cars are now painted with crappy water-based finishes that are more susceptible to stains. I would try to avoid spilling gasoline on my car. That’s MUCH easier than trying to remove stains… ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 3:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shell-nitrogen-additive/32551/7 "2009-06-30T15:12:57Z")
If’n the dealere don’t know nothing about the paint problem, go to Audi America. Audi may be unawares there is a problem. How can they know if no one tells them? ---
**Author:** ![galaxybeing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@galaxybeing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galaxybeing)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shell-nitrogen-additive/32551/8 "2009-06-30T16:17:41Z")
Try claying the spot. Claying can remove some of these stubborn marks and claying is easier on paint than cleaners. ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 4:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shell-nitrogen-additive/32551/9 "2009-06-30T16:19:53Z")
This is nice to know since I sometimes fill up at a Shell station. I’ll be careful not to spill gas on my car. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 4:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shell-nitrogen-additive/32551/10 "2009-06-30T16:21:19Z")
This is a relatively new car, right? It might be the car, not the gas. After all, your dealer “said he has heard this from a number of people.”