Info - Protective Coatings

General Motors assembly plants are currently using several different materials to protect the vehicle during shipping and dealer storage.

All material should be left on until the vehicle is prepped for delivery or for showing on the showroom floor. There are specific guidelines for how long these materials should be left on the vehicle. Refer to Longevity below.

WrapGard™ may leave white marks on paint. These can usually be corrected by leaving the vehicle in the heat and sunlight for 48 hours. This is caused by moisture being trapped between the wrap guard and the paint and the paint actually absorbs the moisture. In most cases, the moisture is removed by allowing the car to sit in the sun.

Any attempt to correct any of the conditions below should only be performed on a vehicle that is cool to the touch and is in the shade. Never attempt to remove material or clean a vehicle that is hot to the touch and/or in the direct sunlight.

Adhesive residue can be removed with Kent Acrosol P/N 60170, or a similar product. Solvents of any type should never be used as they may damage the paint. Adhesive residue can usually be detected by the surface not being smooth to the touch. It may appear to be sticky or tacky. A light spray of water on the area can also detect it. The water will bead in the same pattern as the protective coating.

Transseal™ uses no adhesive but it may leave behind a thin coating or haze. A 50-50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water can usually remove the haze. The mixture should be sprayed on the haze, allowed to set for 60 seconds and then wiped with a soft cloth. After this, the car should be washed with approved car wash soap and dried with a chamois. Never towel dry vehicles as it will add fine scratches to the finish.

At times, a portion of the material may be trapped under various items that are assembled after the Transseal™ sheet application. Care should be taken during pre-delivery clean--up to insure that any "trapped" Transseal™ is removed. In instances where Transseal is stuck in localized areas, wet the area and cover with a clean towel. Wet the towel and allow it to sit on the surface for 20-30 minutes. Remove the towel and remove Transseal with a high pressure wash.

Difficulty in Removing Transseal™

If the Transseal™ appears to be stuck to the surface, make sure the surface is cool and in the shade. Spray water over the material and keep the surface wet for several minutes. The material should lift by getting a fingernail under the edge and peeling it away. If it remains stuck to the surface, a 50-50 mixture of alcohol and water will help dissolve it.

The Corvette Z06 uses Transseal™ sprayed on the hard top. Because the spray can be uneven, it is possible to have a thin film which will make removal difficult. Place the car in the shade and cool the car by running water over the surface. Water helps to loosen the Transseal™ bond. The easiest way to remove Transseal™ is with a high-pressure spray. Start at a corner and break the surface tension by peeling up a corner. Direct a spray of water under the corner and the water pressure will lift the material from panel. If there is a line of residue, it can be cleaned using a 50-50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water that is sprayed on and then wiped off. The alcohol dissolves the Transseal™ and the water helps wash it away. Washing the car with approved car wash soap will remove any leftover residue.

Important: Transseal™ is compatible with most painted surfaces. However, it is not compatible with most plastics, including composite headlamps and tail lamps. If Transseal™ adheres to a lamp, in most cases the lamp will need to be replaced as the material will chemically bond itself to the lens.

If a dealership encounters difficulty in removing any protective material or residue, they should call the Technical Assistance Center (TAC). Solvents, thinners or rubbing compound should never be used to remove the material or residue.

Longevity

The door edge protection foam blocks should be left on until the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Even on the showroom floor or the front line, the foam blocks add protection for that vehicle as well as vehicles parked close to it.

WrapGard™ is approved for 90 days as long as there is no moisture trapped beneath it. If there are wrinkles in the material, it should be removed as the wrinkles provide a path for moisture to get between the material and the paint and that can cause damage to the paint.

Transseal™ is approved for at least 6 months. Transseal™ will turn more opaque when wet but will maintain its protection and return to the semi-clear state after it dries.

Transseal is a class 2 recyclable waste. It can be recycled or disposed of in normal trash.