GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

CLEAR COAT ON ALUMINUM WHEELS REPAIR PROCEDURE OUTLINED

Model and Year: ALL MODELS WITH ALUMINUM WHEELS

This bulletin supercedes and cancels Chevrolet Dealer Service Bulletin 86-131 dated August, 1986 (Section 3E) of which all copies should be destroyed. This reissue of 86-131 contains a caution statement pertaining to the use of adequate respiratory protection during the recoating procedure.

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.

SERVICE REPAIR PROCEDURE:

I. WHEEL REMOVAL ------------- Remove wheel and tire assembly from car. It is not necessary to remove the tire from the wheel to perform the repair procedures. If for any reason the tire is removed, its position to the wheel must be marked using the valve stem as an index. When remounting, the tire should be returned to its original position on the wheel. Mark location of outboard weights and remove. Mark wheel and tire for position on car.

Wash wheel inside and out with water base all purpose cleaner. Remove grease, oil with solvent cleaner.

II. ACCENT COLOR PREPARATION ------------------------ A. Sand over painted areas that will not require recoloring with 400 grit (wet or dry) to promote adhesion of clear coat.

III. SURFACE PREPARAION ------------------ A. Surface damage

1. Mount wheel on brake lathe and spin slowly.

Sand wheel with backing block or pad by holding abrasive flat to surface of wheel and moving slowly back and forth from center to outer edge to remove imperfections.

1. Sand with 80 Grit * 2. Sand with 150 Grit 3. Sand with 240 Grit *(Never use abrasive coarser than 80 grit)

B. Slight clear coat damage on unpainted wheel.

1. Apply chemical stripper ------allow stripper to penetrate coating.

* Special Note -Use small 1/4" detail brush dipped in stripper to apply material around perimeter and spoke-like areas.

2. Remove stripper--follow manufacturers recommendations.

3. Sand wheel with 240 grit while rotating wheel on a slow spinning brake lathe or by mounting on vehicle and spinning by hand. This step is to restore the machined appearance and to promote adhesion. WARNING: ------- DO NOT USE VEHICLE POWER TO ROTATE WHEEL WHILE SANDING TO AVOID SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY.

IV. RECOATING PROCEDURE ------------------- A. Clean surface of contaminants by washing with soap and water.

B. Spray wheel with Anxhem #33 or equivalent let soak 1 to 3 minutes, then rinse with water and blow dry.

C. Spray wheel with Amchem #1001 or equivalent let soak 1 to 3 minutes then rinse with water and blow dry.

D. Mask off the tire prior to performing steps E and F.

E. Finish with Ditzler delclear acrylic urethane and Ditzler ultra urethane additive or equivalent. Three coats.

1ST. COAT - LIGHT MIST COAT, LET FLASH 2ND. COAT - LIGHT, LET FLASH 3RD. COAT - HEAVY DOUBLE WET COAT

CAUTION:

IT IS MANDATORY THAT ADEQUATE RESPIRATORY PROTECTION BE WORN. EXAMPLES OF SUCH PROTECTION ARE: AIR LINE RESPIRATORS WITH FULL HOOD OR HALF MASK, IF NOT AVAILABLE USE A VAPOR/PARTICULATE RESPIRATOR THAT RESPIRATOR MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS AS EFFECTIVE FOR ISOCYANATE VAPORS AND MISTS (UNLESS LOCAL REGULATIONS PREVAIL).

F. Let dry for 24 hours--(or flash for 30 minutes, force dry at 140 degrees for 30 minutes, and allow to cool for 30 minutes before mounting.

V. WHEEL INSTALLATION ------------------ A. Rebalance tire/wheel assemblies by replacing the original balance weights with nylon-coated weights.

B. Install tire/wheel assembly on car.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Amchem Alumi prep #33 - stock #DX533 (or equivalent) - cleaning and conditioning chemical for aluminum.

Anchem Alodine #1001 - stock #DX501 (or equivalent) - coating chemical for aluminum.

Ditzler Delclear acrylic urethane clear - stock #DAU-75 (or equivalent).

Ditzler Delthane ultra-urethane additive - stock #DXR-80 (or equivalent).

Nylon-coated weights--these are available from WDDGM in 1/4 ounce increments ranging from 1/4 ounce to 3 ounces, P/N 9591358 through 9591367 inclusively.

Labor Operation Number: T1170 Labor Time : 1.7 hours (each wheel) Material Allowance : $3.75 (per wheel)

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.