Exterior Trim - Bright Molding Insert Tarnishing
Group Ref.: BodyBulletin No.: 231032
Date: October, 1993
SUBJECT:
BRIGHT MOLDING INSERTS TARNISHING (POLISH OR REPLACE BRIGHT MOLDING ONLY)
MODELS:
1991-93 BUICK REGAL GRAN SPORT AND LIMITED SEDANS
Bulletin revised to add "T" labor operations for removing groups of moldings. Art work remains the same. Previous publication numbers were:
Buick 93-10-21A
GM of Canada 92-2-239.
CONDITION:
Bright molding inserts dented or tarnishing.
CORRECTION:
First, try polishing using 3M* polish (# 05928 quart size, # 05929 gallon size) FINESSE-IT II finishing material. If this does not remove the tarnish, replace bright portion of molding assemblies as necessary using the following procedures. (Replaces bright molding only and re-uses the body color molding.)
* We believe this source and their equipment to be reliable. There may be additional manufacturers of such equipment. General Motors does not endorse, indicate any preference for or assume any responsibility for the products or equipment from these firms or for any such items which may be available from other sources.
If polishing does not work for vehicles after and including 1993 VIN 2G4WD54L5P1464606 individual bright inserts may be replaced using the chrome flashed stainless steel P/N's listed. If polishing does not work for vehicles prior to 1993 VIN 2G4WD54L5P1464606, bright inserts must be replaced in groups using the chrome flashed stainless steel P/N's listed. The four groups are front and rear fascias and left and right bodyside moldings, as listed. Bright inserts which are otherwise damaged (not tarnished ) on vehicles prior to 1993 VIN 2G4WD54L5P1464606, may be individually replaced with the stainless steel P/N's listed.
Part Availability:
Parts are currently available from GMSPO.
STEPS 1 THRU 6 APPLY TO DOOR MOUNTED BODY SIDE MOLDINGS
1. See notice below before removing molding assembly from vehicle using Service Manual procedures found in Section 10-6.
NOTICE:
1991 vehicles, prior to VIN breakpoint 2G4WB54T1M1867127 do not have a retaining screw and clip for the bright molding. This requires the drilling of a 7.5 mm (19/64") hole in the door to accommodate the new screw and clip. The clip is part of the insert kit; but, the screw, P/N 10161375, if needed, must be ordered separately. Measure the hole location with the molding assembly on the door (See Figure 1). Drill hole through door and body color molding. Remove the molding assembly from the door and the retaining clip at the rear of the door. Treat the door hole with a zinc rich primer to prevent corrosion. Follow manufacturer's recommendations for drying time.
2. The bright molding is attached to clips that are heat staked to the body color molding. Using an appropriate tool, remove enough of the clip material to allow the clip and bright molding to be removed from the body color portion of the molding assembly. The clip material is accessed from the back side of the molding assembly. See Figure 1 for locations.
NOTICE:
Avoid removing material from the body color portion of the molding assembly.
3. Using an appropriate cleaner, such as P/N 1052925, clean the outer side of the body color molding. Also, remove the protective covering from the edges of the new bright molding. To avoid damage to the bright molding, this protective covering should not be completely removed until the entire molding assembly is installed on the vehicle.
4. Position the bright molding on the body color molding. The posts on the heat stake clips should protrude through the holes in the body color molding.
NOTICE:
Perform the following operation in a well ventilated area. Prolonged contact with a soldering iron can cause the material to burn.
CAUTION:
To avoid burns, do not touch the smoothing tip or the clip post while it is hot.
5. Using a soldering gun rated at 200 watts or less (such as * Weller model # 550), with a "smoothing tip" (such as Weller # 6120), SLOWLY heat each heat stake clip post until it is soft. Then, push down with the smoothing tip to "mushroom" the top of the post to cover the hole in the body color molding. Hold the bright molding to the body color molding until the clip cools off.
6. Reinstall the molding assembly on the vehicle.
STEP 7 APPLIES TO FRONT FENDER INSERTS
7. Remove one wheelhouse liner screw and flex wheelhouse liner to access two nuts retaining the insert. Remove the two nuts and replace the old insert with a new one. Re-install two nuts, the wheelhouse liner and the screw (Reference Figure 2).
STEPS 8 THRU 9 APPLY TO REAR QUARTER INSERTS
8. Remove quarter molding assembly from vehicle using procedures found in Section 10-7 of the respective Service Manual.
9. Remove heat staked post. Flex tabs on clip to remove old bright insert. Some vehicles may not have flex tabs on the clip. In such cases, the flex tabs on the new clip should be cut off to allow the new bright insert to fit properly. Install new bright insert to quarter molding assembly (Reference Figure 3).
STEP 10 APPLIES TO FRONT AND REAR FASCIA MOUNTED MOLDINGS
10. Remove fascia from vehicle and bright molding from fascia using Service Manual procedures found in Section 10-4 (Reference Figures 4 and 5). Replace old bright molding with a new one and re-install fascia on the vehicle.
NOTE:
Front outer molding can be accessed without removing the fascia.
WARRANTY INFORMATION: