Info - Transseal Temporary Protective Coating Removal Instructions

This bulletin is being revised to add the 2005 model year for the XLR and also include the 2005 Corvette. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 03-08-51-001 (Section 08 - Body and Accessories).

The 2004 and 2005 Cadillac XLR and the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette models are shipped with a protective coating, Transseal Protective Film, which must be removed prior to delivery to customers. The protective film is placed on most horizontal surfaces, including the front tonneau cover, which can only be seen when the hardtop is down and in the stored position. The removal instructions, shown below, advise to wet the surfaces with cool water before attempting to remove the material. This is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT as the material can be difficult to remove if the instructions are not followed.

After the material has been removed from the exterior surfaces, cycle the top down to the stored position. Once the front tonneau cover is locked into place, wet a towel and cover the tonneau until the material turns a milky white color. This indicates the release agents have been activated and the material can be easily removed. Care must be taken to remove all of the protective coating, including the edges of panels where the material may have been wrapped.

If you have difficulty in removing the protective coating, the manufacturer has set up a toll-free number for assistance: 1-800-307-7218 in the US or 972-286-7890 in Canada.

Important: Place a wire screen over drains to stop the film from entering and clogging the sewer drain. Transseal temporary film is a Class-II Industrial non-hazardous waste and may be disposed of accordingly.

The film is designed to release easily from the paint surface at an ambient temperature between 16°C to 29°C (60°F to 85°F).

Standard Transseal Protective Film Removal Process:

Important: Never use hot water to remove the temporary protective coating.

1. Place the vehicle in a wash bay or a covered area and wet the film thoroughly using ordinary tap water from a garden hose or a standard manual pressure washer. A pressure washer may have a pressure range of 6900-15,000 kPa (1000-2200 psi).
2. Peel the film back from the corner to allow water to penetrate underneath the film. It is most efficient to combine the peeling of the coating off with one hand while directing the pressure of the water with the other hand.

Removal of Transseal Protective Film Under Various Conditions (When Film Has Been On Vehicle For Up To Six Months or Longer, When Film Is Extremely Dirty In Appearance, or When Film Is Stubborn to Peel Off By Hand)

1. Place the vehicle in a wash bay or a covered area.

Vehicle paint surface should be at an ambient temperature between 16°C and 29°C (60°F and 85°F).

Important: Never pour solvents onto the film for removal. The film will always remove with soap and pressure water.

2. Soak the film with cold or warm water and wash thoroughly using soap and water. Use car wash soap concentrate, or if the film is extremely dirty, use Murphy® Oil Soap, or equivalent, to help wet the film. Use a "woolen" car wash mitt, wet the surface and pour the soap concentrate directly onto the surface.
3. Repeat the water soaking process. When the film turns from clear to a milky white in appearance, release agents in the film have been activated, allowing the film to be removed easily from the surface using a pressure washer. In extreme conditions, wet towels with water and place the towels directly on the film surface. Keep the surface wet for 10-15 minutes. When the film turns milky white, remove the towels and use a pressure washer for film removal.
4. The temporary protective coating may leave a polish wax "haze" on the surface. Wash paint finishes by hand using soap and water to produce a polished luster.

Removal of Transseal Small Film Particles on Paint Surface

Use General Motors "Opti-Kleen" Window Washer Concentrate, or the equivalent, to remove any small film particles left on the paint surface. Pour the solution directly onto a clean, soft dry cloth. The concentrate solution will instantly dissolve Transseal film particles or overspray from paint surfaces. Always wear rubber gloves and follow manufacturer instructions when handling chemical substances.