Vehicle Paint Maintenance/Storage Recommendations

Models: Various

Section: Body/Frame

Classification: BF93-021

Bulletin No.: ITB93-045

Date: September 23, 1993

VEHICLE PAINT MAINTENANCE/STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS

SERVICE INFORMATION

This Bulletin, along with the Infiniti Total Ownership New Vehicle Delivery System will assist dealerships in understanding and preventing potential environmental and industrial fallout damage to vehicle paint while in dealer inventory.

Background/Considerations

Dealerships that are close to industrial activities and in urban environments are most susceptible to the effects of fallout and associated damage to paint.

Potential sources of industrial fallout and conditions are as follows:

^ Petroleum refineries
^ Oil/Glycol recycling facilities
^ Commercial airport(s)
^ Congested freeway(s)
^ Cement factories
^ Unpaved roads/storage lots
^ Construction activities
^ Quarries
^ Foundries
^ Smokestack(s)

Additionally some locations may also be susceptible to damage from birds, insects and /or trees (sap) as well as exposure to agricultural products (pesticides, etc.).

Damage Mechanism

Contamination on vehicle paint surfaces; when combined with moisture, which in the presence of sufficient heat is allowed to evaporate, will form an acid which concentrates and may result in fallout (etch) damage. This damage is often called acid rain and is not necessarily restricted to mid-west or east coast localities.

Vehicles that are not regularly maintained by regular cleaning/washing such as described in Infiniti Technical Bulletin ITB90-034 are susceptible to damage especially during (but not restricted to) the summer season. During winter months the potential damage risk is generally less with colder weather.

Precautions

Dealers should be alert to their respective environments and aware of any changing environmental conditions. For locations that have any of the previously mentioned fallout sources dealers should increase vehicle inspection frequencies as follows:

^ Personnel should be advised to inspect vehicles thoroughly upon carrier delivery and document any environmental damage on the delivery receipt. Refer to the Infiniti Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual for further details.

^ Unusual environmental damage trends or damage found under Paint Guard Film (PGF) should be immediately reported to the Regional Parts and Service Department. This advanced notice allows Infiniti to recalculate preventative maintenance specific to individual dealer needs and requirements.

^ Similarly, vehicles in inventory should be checked regularly for paint finish condition and/or potential fallout damage.

^ Vehicles delivered to customers should be Quality Control checked using the cosmetic quality inspection checklist before delivery to ensure an acceptable finish.

Recommendations to Reduce Fallout Damage

The vehicle maintenance/storage recommendations outlined below have been developed to assist Infiniti dealers in minimizing potential fallout damage. There may be additional factors that may contribute to any observed damage (i.e., vehicle storage/handling procedures and vendor products and equipment, etc.).

In addition, it is important to note that the following recommendations are to address environmental conditions in general and as such, are supplemental to the existing Infiniti Policy and Procedures regarding the maintenance and storage of vehicles in dealer inventory.

Dealers should observe the following recommendations:

^ Store vehicle inventory on paved lot(s).

^ Periodically rinse vehicles. Use de-ionized water to reduce incidence of water spotting.

Each dealer should determine rinsing frequency based upon the locality. Some environments may require rinsing daily to prevent the effects of environmental/industrial fallout damage.

^ When rinsing vehicles use a heavy spray early in the mornings (before dew evaporation) with de-ionized water to flow off and remove all surface debris/fallout. Rinse from the top and work downward toward the lower panels.

^ Rain showers (especially light rain that does not rinse the vehicle) immediately followed by high temperatures will require immediate vehicle rinsing with de-ionized water to remove contaminants and debris.

^ Do not spray/wash vehicles in direct full sunlight and allow water to evaporate.

^ Car covers for vehicles in storage may be appropriate for some locations.

^ PGF may be left on until vehicles can be staged for regular maintenance. Vehicles scheduled for secondary (storage) lots should leave PGF applied (up to six months from manufacture except models featuring NCLC paint finish which are limited to three months).

Confirmation of Effectiveness

Dealers are responsible to maintain vehicles in their inventory once delivery has been accepted. The dealer must inspect every vehicle upon delivery and note all damage on the delivery receipt. If environmental damage is found under the PGF, the Regional Parts and Service Department should be contacted immediately. For assistance in developing preventative maintenance measures your dealership should take to minimize environmental related damage while in your dealer inventory, contact your regional Parts and Service Department. Finally we suggest that dealers:

^ Assign responsibility to vehicle inventory inspections and storage maintenance to specific employee(s).

^ Conduct a survey of the local area, storage facilities and surroundings for potential sources of fallout.

^ Utilize the Delivery System Portfolio as part of a normal maintenance plan supported with a plan for use during extreme conditions.

^ Assure that responsible dealership personnel monitor inventory in all locations on a frequent basis.