Sheet Metal Damage; Finish Damage; Underbody Maintenance- Page 314

6-63

Sheet Metal Damage

If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti

-

corrosion material to the parts repaired or

replaced to restore corrosion protection.

Original manufacturer replacement parts will provide
the corrosion protection while maintaining the warranty.

Finish Damage

Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.

Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch

-

up

materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.

Underbody Maintenance

Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust control
can collect on the underbody. If these are not removed,
accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on the underbody
parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan and exhaust
system even though they have corrosion protection.

At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can 
do this for you.

Chemical Paint Spotting

Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create 
a chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon 
and attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This
damage can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet

-

shaped

discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched 
into the paint surface.

Although no defect in the paint job causes this, Buick
will repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs first.