Every time I spill brake fluid in the engine bay, the brake fluid seaps into the paint and destroys it, almost on contact. Why is that?

 

Brake fluid is EXTREMELY corrosive. It will dissolve damn near anything. It is just as powerful as paint stripper. In fact I have used it in the place of paint stripper in a pinch. Don't spill it and do try not to get it on yourself or hands!

 

hmmm its weird how come brake fluid never burns my hands?

 

If you don't wash them after getting a decent amount of brake fluid on them they will dry out, crack, and bleed a little bit and your skin will get really f'ed up. Its not nice.

 

brake fluid is very hygroscopic, meaning it will absorb all water around it. When it gets on your hands it will dry it out. The best thing you can do when getting brake fluid on your paint is to wipe it off with a damp towel, that way the fluid will go to absorb the water in the rag instead of chew through your paint.