I finally got around to repairing my fuel soaked plane. Used KR2 which I found at a local hardware store. Three applications had it fairly dry. I then had spread corn starch on the wood and let it sit overnight, then brushed it off. The wood seemed dry after that and I recovered with Moneycote. It stuck just fine.

I guess there are several methods that work well.

I learned a lesson. When there seems to something amiss in your fuel system, DO NOT GAS UP untill you've checked it out! After 40 years at this addiction, I should have known!