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Chevrolet Cruze Repair Manual: Environmental Fallout (Acid Rain)

Chevrolet Cruze Repair Manual / Body repair / Paint and Coatings / Environmental Fallout (Acid Rain)

Caution: Refer to Clearcoat/Ultraviolet Screeners Caution in the Preface section.

Note: Always refer to the manufacturer's packaged instructions for the detailed procedures of materials used for compounding and/or polishing.

Since the severity of the condition varies from area to area, proper diagnosis of the contamination extent is critical to the success of the repairs. Perform the diagnosis under high intensity fluorescent lighting on the horizontal surfaces (hood, roof panel, rear compartment lid), after the surfaces have been properly cleaned by washing the vehicle with a GM approved Liquid Wash and Wax kit.

There are 3 basic types of acid rain damage: Surface Level Contamination: May be repaired by simply washing the vehicle, cleaning the surface with a silicone wax and grease remover, neutralizing acidic residue, and finesse polishing--Refer to Surface Level Contamination Repair.

Clearcoat Etching: Slight etching is still noticeable after the above washing and finesse polishing procedure. Refer to Slight Clearcoat Damage - Wet Sanding, Finesse Polishing.

Basecoat Etching: Severe etching beyond the clearcoat into the basecoat in the affected areas will require refinishing. Refer to Basecoat/Clearcoat Paint Systems.

Surface Level Contamination Repair

  1. Thoroughly wash and dry the contaminated area with a GM approved  Liquid Wash and Wax kit.
  2. Clean the affected area with silicone, wax and grease remover.
  3. Remove and neutralize acidic residue by cleaning the contaminated areas with a mixture of baking soda and water (1 tablespoon of baking soda per 1 liter or 1 quart of water). Rinse thoroughly and dry the panel completely.
  4. Apply finesse-type polish with a foam panel. If damage has been repaired, remove any swirl marks with a dual action orbital polisher and foam pad.
  5. If some damage remains, refer to Slight Clearcoat Damage - Wet Sanding, Finesse Polishing.

Slight Clearcoat Damage - Wet Sanding, Finesse Polishing

  1. Select a small contaminated test area.
  2. Film thickness should be taken prior to the sanding and polishing. Refer to Paint Gauges.
  3. Wet sand and finesse polish the contaminated test area. If during the polishing you suspect or observe that etching has penetrated into the basecoat, too much clearcoat has been removed during sanding, or base color is transferred to the polishing pad during polishing, then the affected areas will require refinishing. Refer to Basecoat/Clearcoat Paint Systems.
Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair (Base)
Warning: When applying sound deadeners, or anti-corrosion materials due care and preventative measures must be exercised to prevent any material from being sprayed into door and quarter panel mecha ...

Paint Gauges
Paint thickness gauge. measure the total thickness of the vehicle finish. It is important to accurately measure the thickness of the finish on each vehicle as the thickness of the finish will vary ...

Other materials:

Rear Suspension Description and Operation
This vehicle has a semi-independent twist-beam rear suspension system consisting of the following components: An axle with integral trailing arms AV shaped twisting cross beam Two coil springs Two shock absorbers Axle Assembly The axle assembly (1) attaches to the underbody throu ...

Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the wheel leaks air, replace it. Some aluminum wheels can be repaired. See your dealer if any of these conditions exist. Your de ...

Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicator
Warning lights and gauges can signal that something is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to the warning lights and gauges could prevent injury. Warning lights come on when there could be a problem with a vehicle function. Some ...

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