Paint - Damage From Industrial Fallout/Acid Rain
BULLETIN NUMBER:
SB97-11-L007
ISSUE DATE:
SEPTEMBER 1997
GROUP:
BODY
1996-97 HOMBRE (TH) EXTERIOR PAINT DAMAGE FROM
INDUSTRIAL FALLOUT OR ACID RAIN
AFFECTED VEHICLES
1996-97 Hombre (TH) models.
SERVICE INFORMATION
Some affected vehicles may experience damage to the exterior paint surface due to industrial fallout or acid rain. These damaging agents can be identified as follows:
INDUSTRIAL FALLOUT
Refers to small particles of iron produced from the friction between train wheels and the tracks, or from a facility producing iron dust (e.g., a steel yard, etc.). It can appear as either bumps or rust-colored spots on the paint surface. Paint damage of this type occurs most often when the vehicle remains parked in one location for an extended period of time.
ACID RAIN
Refers to rainwater made acidic or alkaline by impurities in the air. It appears as water spots and/or discolored spots on the paint surface. Damage from acid rain can vary from slight to severe, depending upon
how long the impurities have remained on the paint surface.
This Service Bulletin addresses three repair levels based on the cause and extent of the damage:
Repair No.1: Surface Level Contamination (to repair damage from industrial fallout).
Repair No.2: Clearcoat Etching (to repair damage from acid rain in which the clearcoat has been damaged or penetrated).
Repair No.3: Basecoat Etching (to repair damage from acid rain in which basecoat penetration has occurred).
Since the extent of the damage can vary significantly from one affected area to another, proper diagnosis of the damage extent is critical to the success of the repairs. Diagnosis should be done on properly cleaned vehicle horizontal surfaces (e.g., hood , roof, box, etc.) and under fluorescent lighting strong enough to light the vehicle surface without shadows, yet not so strong that it washes out the outlines of the imperfections.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
REPAIR NO.1: SURFACE LEVEL CONTAMINATION
NOTE: For a detailed description of this repair, refer to the instructional video "Repairing Surface Level Contamination" (AIM97-VID-LO1) which accompanies this Service Bulletin.
1. Move the vehicle to a cool, shaded area and make sure that the vehicle surfaces are cool during the removal process.
IMPORTANT! Do not perform this removal process in direct sunlight or on a vehicle with either hot or warm body panels.
2. Wash the vehicle with a high-quality automotive detergent; then, rinse thoroughly.
3. Lightly mist Auto Wax brand #49 Body Shine to a 3-foot-square section of the affected panel.
IMPORTANT! Use only #49 Body Shine, or plain water, for this repair. Do not use soap or solvent.
4. Knead a bar of Auto Wax brand Clay Magic CM-2200 (Blue) into a flat, pancake shape.
IMPORTANT! The clay bar can be easily contaminated if handled with soiled hands. Be sure your hands are thoroughly clean before kneading the clay bar.
5. Gently rub the clay bar over the affected surface using an overlapping motion and a light amount of pressure. Gradually increase pressure, as needed, to remove all surface contaminants.
6. Wipe the treated section with a clean, soft towel.
7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 for the remaining sections/panels to be treated.
8. Once all repairs have been completed, hand polish the vehicle with a high-quality, non-abrasive automotive wax.
IMPORTANT! To achieve the best results with Clay Magic� CM-2200 (Blue), be sure to use the following guidelines:
- Knead the clay bar periodically to bring fresh clay to the surface.
- If the clay bar is accidently dropped on the ground, be sure to check the clay bar for contamination.
- If a portion of the clay bar is contaminated, pinch off the contaminated portion and dispose of it. Knead the remaining clay bar into a flat, pancake shape and continue.
- Do not apply contaminated clay to the vehicle - it could scratch the paint finish.
- If the clay bar becomes too contaminated, dispose of it and continue with a new bar.
- When finished using the clay bar, store it in a container that has been lubricated on the inside with #49 Body Shine.
REPAIR NO.2: CLEARCOAT ETCHING
1. Move the vehicle to a cool, shaded area and make sure that the vehicle surfaces are cool during the removal process.
IMPORTANT! Do not perform this removal process in direct sunlight or on a vehicle with either hot or warm body panels.
2. Wash the vehicle with a high-quality automotive detergent; then, rinse thoroughly.
3. Using an appropriate paint thickness gauge, measure the paint thickness of the affected panel(s). Measure each panel in several areas (at least five points) to obtain the average thickness of each panel.
4. Apply a finesse-type polish with a foam pad.
5. Clean the affected surfaces and inspect.
- If the damage has been repaired, remove any swirl marks using an electric buffer and polishing pad. Hand polish the vehicle with a high-quality, non-abrasive automotive wax.
- If some damage remains, the clearcoat has been penetrated. Proceed to step 6 below.
6. Select a small test area on the damaged panel.
7. Wet sand the damaged area using an American grade ultra-fine sandpaper (1500 to 2000 grit) and a rubber sanding block.
IMPORTANT! Be sure to use only American grade sandpaper. Certain imported sandpapers have a "P" designation before the grit number and do not necessarily align with traditional American grits.
Be sure to use ample amounts of water during the sanding process. Work slowly to prevent removing too much clearcoat.
8. Remove any excess water using a rubber squeegee and inspect the affected panel.
- If the damage has been repaired, continue with the sanding process for the entire panel; then, apply a finesse-type polish using a foam pad and remove any swirl marks using electric buffer and polishing pad. Hand polish the vehicle using a high-quality, non-abrasive automotive wax.
IMPORTANT! Be sure to measure the affected surface with a paint thickness gauge after polishing or buffing. If more than 0.5 mil has been removed from the affected surface, the clearcoat must be reapplied.
- If some damage remains, or if the base color is transferring to the foam pad during polishing, the basecoat has been penetrated. Go to REPAIR No.3: BASECOAT ETCHING and follow the steps.
REPAIR NO.3: BASECOAT ETCHING
1. Sand to remove the clearcoat from all affected panels.
2. Refinish the affected panels in accordance with the paint manufacturer's recommended procedures.
3. Once all repairs have been completed, hand polish the vehicle with a high-quality, non-abrasive automotive wax.
PARTS INFORMATION
Auto Wax brand Clay Magic CM-2200 (Blue) and #49 Body Shine may be purchased at retail automotive supply stores. Auto Wax brand products may also be ordered directly from the manufacturer by contacting:
Auto Wax Company, Inc.
1275 Round Table Drive
Dallas, TX 75247
Phone: 1-800-826-0828
With proper care and handling, a single 200 gm bar of Clay Magic CM-2200 (Blue) will service approximately five vehicles. A one gallon bottle of #49 Body Shine will service approximately 20 vehicles.
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION