Fuel Covers by GT are available for purchase in limited quantities.
“Fuel Covers,” as we will refer to them, have many names: gas bib, gas cover, spill bib, paint protector, etc. Particularly popular in the Porsche segment, Fuel Covers are a classically-inspired and aesthetic solution to preventing accidental drips and spills of fuel from making contact and thus ruining paint work on the bodies of vehicles.
Designed for Paint Protection
The primary purpose of a Fuel Cover is functional: to catch and absorb miscellaneous drops of fuel from falling on the surface of painted body panels. Its design covers not only a majority of surfaces within the fuel door cavity, but also hangs over spill-prone areas above the S2000’s quarter panel area. Finely cut edges and the absence of topstitching keeps a minimal aesthetic and the design simple and clean enough to pass for an OEM option to the untrained eye.
Below is an image used for the original inspiration for this product’s design. “Gas Flap” Porsche 911, 964, 993 application for RAUH-Welt Begriff, Japan.
Material Selection
GT Fuel Covers consist of 100% genuine leather that is manufactured in the USA and hand-selected for this application. Since the purpose of this product is more utilitarian, the characteristics of the material reflect this focus. Its robust qualities make the material thicker than many fabrics found in an interior without being overly rigid or dense. It is waterproof with a medium temper and slightly oiled touch while importantly maintaining a matte finish. Its manufacturing process supports heavy-duty use cases and is intended to be utilized in products that are made for long-term use. Similar materials can be found in footwear and high-stress applications.
The oiled finish of this unique leather is the most interesting quality. It allows the leather to fully repel water while still maintaining permeability required to catch undesirable fuel drops from falling directly on painted panels. This material quality allows the cover to resist a majority of water and remain installed during car washing and rain although extended direct exposure to water is not recommended.
See how differently this organic fabric behaves when exposed to both fluids. Note the leather's ability to repel water while still trapping fuel. A higher evaporation rate associated with fuel is also at play here.
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