Stinky clothes

I was talking to somebody about working for them.  I was riding my motorcycle and the gas tank was all covered in something that was mud colored but sticky like chewing gum.  I tried to scrape it off but could not get it.  I was dressed in a suit and tie .  The people I was talking to walked away and one of them said to the other that my clothes smelled bad.  I asked them why they did not tell me.