CLEANING & CLEAR COATING OF ALUMINUM STYLE WHEELS
Models Affected: All Models Equipped with Aluminum Wheels
The purpose of this service bulletin is to assist dealerships in repairing the discoloration or surface degradation that has been experienced on certain style cast aluminum wheels.
A protective clear coating is applied to the surface of original equipment cast aluminum wheels. Surface degradation condition can begin to develop if frequent, repeated automatic car wash cleaning abrades or wears off the factory applied protective clear coating. This can happen at some automatic car wash facilities using aggressive silicon carbide tipped tire brushes to clean white walls and tires. Once the protective clear coating is damaged, exposure to caustic cleaners and/or road salt further causes surface degradation. The following procedure details how to strip, clean and recoat those aluminum wheel rims that are affected by the above conditions.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
3 M Scotchbrite Cleaning Pad Part #07445 or equivalent 3 M Brand Troubleshooter or equivalen 3 M Part #05955 medium buffing compound or equivalent Buffing Pad 3M part #05701 or equivalent Pre Kleno cleaner or equivalent R&M Part #801 Metal Conditioner or equivalent R&M 893 2K Enamel Clearcoat and 894 Catalyst Hardener
PROCEDURE
A. Remove wheel(s) from the car. This makes stripping, cleaning and recoating much easier.
1) Remove wheel weight. Mask off tire. Reference mark tire for reinstallatim of weight after recoating of wheel.
B. Removal of orignal clear coating.
1) Apply a chemical stripper such as 3M Brand Troubleshooter to wheel rim surface.
2) Wait 10 - 15 minutes, then wet scrub surface using a 3M #98 Scotchbrite Cleaning Pad Part #07445.
3) Rinse surface thoroughly with clean water.
C. Removal of surface oxidation.
1. Compound surface with 3M Superbuff Buffing Pad Part No. 05701 and medium type compound such as 3M Part No. 05955 or No. 05931. This will remove any existing stain and oxidation from the wheel.
2. After compounding, hose off rim with water and scrub with small brush to remove excess compoound and air blow dry.
CAUTION:
USE OF EYE GOGGIES IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT PERSONAL INJURY.
D. Recoating procedure R & M.
1) Use Pre Kleno to clean surface of any surface contaminants.
2) Apply #801 metal conditioner. It is recommended that rubber gloves be used for this application.
3) Refer to label for specific directions. If #801 metal conditioner is used, make sure it is reduced one part metal conditioner with three parts water.
A) Apply metal conditioner with clean rag, keeping surface wet.
B) Wipe off carefully while still wet with clean, dry rag.
4) After removing the original clear coating and preparing the surface, next apply R & M's 893 2K Clear with 894 Urethane Catalyst Hardener. Refer to label for specific directions.
Special Note: When applying any two part component paint system, wear proper respiratory protection such as 3M Paint Respirator, Part No. 06984, or Easi-Air Respirator, Part No. 06986 or equivalent.
Wheels should be allowed to air dry for a minimum of over night prior to installing on vehicle.
For further information on the 3M products called out in this bulletin, please contact the nearest 3M branch (list attached) and ask for the Automotive Trades Division Coordinator.
3M Branch Offices
Alaska.............5311 Minnesota Drive Anchorage, Alaska 99502 907-561-1030
Atlanta............2860 Bankers Industrial Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30360 404-447-7000
Boston.............155 Fourth Avenue Needham Heights, Massachusetts 02194 617-449-0300
Chicago............6850 South Harlen Avenue Argo Post Office Bedford Park, Illinois 60501 312-496-6500
Cincinnati.........4835 Para Drive Cincinnati, Ohio 45237 513-482-3100
Cleveland..........1200 Brookpark Road Cleveland, Ohio 44130 216-362-1700
Dallas . . . . . . 2121 Santa Arma Avenue P.O. Box 28158 Dallas, Texas 75228 214-324-8100
Detroit............23923 Research Drive Farmington, Michigan 48024 313-477-5000
Hawaii . . . . . ..4443 Malaai Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96818 Mail to: P.O. Box 30048 Honolulu, Hawaii 96820 808-422-2721
High Point.........2401 South Brevard Street P.O. Box 2047 High Point, North Carolina 27261 919 -889 -7181
Los Angeles........6023 S. Garfield Avenue Los Angeles, California 90040 213-726-6300
New York...........15 Henderson Drive P.O. Box 2076 West Caldwell, New Jersey 07006 201-575-2000
Philadelphia. . . .5698 Rising Sun Avenue Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19120 215-728-5300
St. Louis..........10725 Baur Boulevard P.O. Box 510 St. Louis, Missouri 63166 314-997-8500
San Francisco......320 Shaw Road S. San Francisco, California 94080 415-761-1155
Seattle............100 Andover Park West Andover Industrial Park Seattle, Washington 98188 206-244-7200
Twin Cities........3130 Lexington Avenue South Eagan, Minnesota 55121 Mail to: P.O. Box 33211 St. Paul, Minnesota 55133 612-733-3300
General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
