A slammed door

Illustrative example. Not a real job or customer.

Illustrative example, not a real car, owner or business. After a weekend hike, an Aurora driver tosses bear spray into the door pocket. On Monday morning, slamming the door in a hurry knocks the clip off and the trigger catches on the pocket edge. A burst hits the door panel, armrest and seat.

  1. The driver gets out immediately, coughing, and moves upwind.
  2. They flush their eyes with water from a bottle and wash their hands and face with soap inside the house.
  3. All doors are opened and the car is left to air for several hours. Nobody drives it.
  4. Wearing gloves and eye protection, they bag the can and photograph the orange residue on the door and seat.
  5. A detailer degreases the door panel, armrest and window, cleans the seat, and replaces the cabin filter, since the fan had been on.

After cleaning and a day of airing, the car could be driven without irritation. The driver now carries bear spray in a holster and stores it in a closed bag in the trunk.

If it happens to you

  1. Get out and stay upwind

    Do not try to drive; burning eyes make it unsafe.

  2. Rinse

    Flush eyes with clean water; wash skin with soap and cool water.

  3. Air the car

    Open every door and leave it, fan off, until you can sit inside without stinging.

  4. Clean with a degreaser

    Capsaicin is oily; water alone spreads it. Use gloves and a degreasing cleaner, wiping and rinsing repeatedly.

  5. Replace the cabin filter

    If the fan ran, the filter caught spray and will keep releasing it.

Door pocket versus a safer spot

Door pocket

  • Clip can be knocked off by a slammed door
  • Trigger can catch on the pocket edge
  • Gets hot in summer

Holster or closed bag in the trunk

  • Clip stays protected
  • Away from people in the cabin
  • Cooler and out of direct sun

The day after

Morning
Discharge; car aired out; can bagged.
Afternoon
Detailer cleans door, seat and glass; replaces filter.
Next day
Closed-car check in the sun; no irritation.

Common questions

Call 911?

Call 911 for trouble breathing or severe symptoms. Poison Control can advise on milder exposures.

How long did the car need to air out?

Several hours with all doors open before anyone could sit inside without irritation, then a day after cleaning.

Was the door panel damaged?

No. Degreasing removed the residue; the panel only needed careful cleaning of its textured surface and seams.

General information for Aurora, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.