00-03-10-002G

File in Section:
Bulletin No.:
Service Bulletin
Date:
03 - Suspension
00-03-10-002G
March, 2013
INFORMATION
Subject:
Chemical Staining, Pitting, Corrosion and/or Spotted Appearance of Chromed
Aluminum Wheels
Models:
2013 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Trucks
This bulletin is being revised to add the 2013 model year and update the Parts Information.
Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 00-03-10-002F (Section 03 – Suspension).
Important: You may give a copy of this bulletin to the
customer.
What is Chemical Staining of Chrome
Wheels
Figure 1
1792400
Chemical staining in most cases results from acid
based cleaners (refer to Figure 1 for an example).
These stains are frequently milky, black, or greenish in
appearance. They result from using cleaning solutions
that contain acids on chrome wheels. Soap and water
is usually sufficient to clean wheels.
If the customer insists on using a wheel cleaner they
should only use one that specifically states that it is
safe for chromed wheels and does not contain anything
Copyright 2013 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.
in the following list. (Dealers should also survey any
products they use during prep or normal cleaning of
stock units for these chemicals.)
• Ammonium Bifluoride (fluoride source for
dissolution of chrome)
• Hydrofluoric Acid (directly dissolves chrome)
• Hydrochloric Acid (directly dissolves chrome)
• Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonic Acid
• Sulfamic Acid
• Phosphoric Acid
• Hydroxyacetic Acid
Notice: Many wheel cleaner instructions advise to take
care to avoid contact with painted surfaces. Most
customers think of painted surfaces as the fenders,
quarter panels and other exterior sheet metal. Many
vehicles have painted brake calipers. Acidic wheel
cleaners may craze, crack, or discolor the paint on the
brake calipers. Damage from wheel cleaners is not
covered under the vehicle new car warranty. Soap and
water applied with a soft brush is usually all that is
required to clean the calipers.
Whenever any wheel cleaner is used, it must be
THOROUGHLY rinsed off of the wheel with clean, clear
water. Special care must be taken to rinse under the
hub cap, balance weights, wheel nuts, lug nut caps,
between the wheel cladding and off the back side of the
wheel. Wheels returned to the Warranty Parts Center
(WPC) that exhibit damage from wheel cleaners most
often have the damage around and under the wheel
weight where the cleaner was incompletely
flushed away.
Notice: Do not use cleaning solutions that contain
hydrofluoric, oxalic and most other acids on chrome
wheels (or any wheels).
If the customer is unsure of the chemical make-up of a
particular wheel cleaner, it should be avoided.
Page 2
March, 2013
For wheels showing signs of milky staining from acidic
cleaners, refer to Customer Assistance and Instructions
below.
Warranty of Stained Chrome Wheels
Stained wheels are not warrantable. Most acid based
cleaners will permanently stain chrome wheels.
Follow-up with dealers has confirmed that such
cleaners were used on wheels that were returned to the
Warranty Parts Center (WPC). Any stained wheels
received by the WPC will be charged back to the
dealership. To assist the customer, refer to Customer
Assistance and Instructions below.
Pitting or Spotted Appearance of
Chrome Wheels
Bulletin No.: 00-03-10-002G
Warranty of Pitted or Spotted Chrome Wheels
Wheels returned with pitting or spotting as a result of
road chemicals may be replaced one time. Damage
resulting from contact with these applied road
chemicals is corrosive to the wheels finish and may
cause damage if the wheels are not kept clean.
Important: Notify the customer that this is a one time
replacement. Please stress to the customer the vital
importance of keeping the wheels clean if they are
operating the vehicle in an area that applies calcium
chloride or other dust controlling chemicals! “GM of
Canada” dealers require prior approval by the District
Manager - Customer Care and Service Process
(DM-CCSP).
“Stardust” Corrosion of Chrome
Wheels
Figure 2
Figure 3
1792402
A second type or staining or finish disturbance may
result from road chemicals, such as calcium chloride
used for dust control of unpaved roads. The staining
will look like small pitting (refer to Figure 2). This
staining will usually be on the leading edges of each
wheel spoke, but may be uniformly distributed . If a
vehicle must be operated under such conditions, the
chrome wheels should be washed with mild soap and
water and thoroughly rinsed as soon as conveniently
possible.
Important: Road chemicals, such as calcium chloride
used for dust control of unpaved roads, can also stain
chrome wheels. The staining will look like small pitting.
This staining will usually be on the leading edges of
each wheel spoke. This is explained by the vehicle
traveling in the forward direction while being splashed
by the road chemical. If a vehicle must be operated
under such conditions, the chrome wheels should be
washed with mild soap and water and thoroughly rinsed
as soon as conveniently possible.
2597901
A third type of finish disturbance results from prolonged
exposure to brake dust and resultant penetration of
brake dust through the chrome. As brakes are applied
hot particles of brake material are thrown off and tend
to be forced through the leading edge of the wheel
spoke windows by airflow. These hot particles embed
themselves in the chrome layer and create a small pit. If
the material is allowed to sit on the wheel while it is
exposed to moisture or salt, it will corrode the wheel
beneath the chrome leaving a pit or small blister in the
chrome.
Heavy brake dust build-up should be removed from
wheels by using GM Chrome Cleaner and Polish, P/N
1050173 (in Canada use 10953013). For moderate
cleaning, light brake dust build-up or water spots use
SmartPolish, P/N 88865218 (in Canada, use 2675213).
After cleaning, the wheel should be waxed using
SmartWax, P/N 88865229 (in Canada, use 2675208),
which will help protect the wheel from brake dust and
reduce adhesion of any brake dust that gets on the
wheel surface. For general maintenance cleaning,
PEEK Metal Polish+ may be used. It will clean and
shine the chrome and leave behind a wax coating that
may help protect the finish.
Bulletin No.: 00-03-10-002G
March, 2013
Warranty of Stardust Corroded Chrome Wheels
Wheels returned with pitting or spotting as a result of
neglect and brake dust build-up may be replaced
one time.
Important: Notify the customer that this is a one time
replacement. Please stress to the customer the vital
importance of keeping the wheels clean and free of
prolonged exposure to brake dust build-up. “GM of
Canada” dealers require prior approval by the District
Manager - Customer Care and Service Process
(DM-CCSP).
Customer Assistance and Instructions
GM has looked for ways customers may improve the
appearance of wheels damaged by acidic cleaners.
The following product and procedure has been found to
dramatically improve the appearance of stained
wheels. For wheels that have milky stains caused by
acidic cleaners try the following:
Notice: THE 3M CHROME AND METAL POLISH
REQUIRED FOR THIS PROCEDURE IS AN
EXTREMELY AGGRESSIVE POLISH/CLEANER. THE
WHEELS MUST BE CLEANED BEFORE
APPLICATION TO AVOID SCRATCHING THE WHEEL
SURFACE. THIS PRODUCT WILL REDUCE THE
THICKNESS OF THE CHROME PLATING ON THE
WHEEL AND IF USED INCORRECTLY OR
EXCESSIVELY MAY REMOVE THE CHROME
PLATING ALL TOGETHER, EXPOSING A LESS
BRIGHT AND BRASSY COLORED SUB-LAYER.
FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY.
1. Wash the wheels with vigorously with soap and
water. This step will clean and may reduce wheel
staining. Flood all areas of the wheel with water to
rinse.
2. Dry the wheels completely.
Notice: Begin with a small section of the wheel and
with light pressure buff off polish and examine results.
ONLY apply and rub with sufficient force and time to
remove enough staining that you are satisfied with the
results. Some wheels may be stained to the extent that
you may only achieve a 50% improvement while others
may be able to be restored to the original lustre. IN ALL
CASES, only apply until the results are satisfactory.
3. Apply 3M Chrome and Metal Polish #39527* with a
clean terry cloth towel. As you apply the polish, the
staining will be diminished.
4. When dry, buff off the polish with a clean portion of
the towel.
Page 3
5. Repeat application of the 3M Chrome and Metal
Polish until satisfied with the results. If continued
applications fail to improve the appearance further
discontinue use.
This procedure will improve the appearance of the
wheels and may, with repeated applications, restore the
finish dramatically. For wheels that exhibit spotting from
road chemicals the above procedure may marginally
improve the condition but will not restore the finish or
remove the pitting. In this type of staining the wheel
finish has actually been removed in spots and no
manner of cleaning will restore the finish.
†*We believe this source and their products to be
reliable. There may be additional manufacturers of
such products/materials. General Motors does not
endorse, indicate any preference for or assume any
responsibility for the products or material from this firm
or for any such items that may be available from other
sources.
Parts Information
Part Number
Description
88865218
(in Canada,
use 2675213)
SmartPolish
12377966
(in Canada,
use 2675208)
SmartWax
1050173
(in Canada,
use 10953013)
Chrome Cleaner and Polish
39527
3M Chrome and Metal Polish* (10 oz)
33002
PEEK Polish† 100 ml Tube
(www.tripeek.com)
*This product is currently available from 3M. To obtain
information for your local retail location please call 3M
at 1-888-364-3577.
†This product is currently available from Tri-Peek
International. To obtain information for your local retail
location please call Tri-Peek at 1-877-615-4272 or at
www.tripeek.com.
GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
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 your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.
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