| Subject: | Information on Paint Protection Film (RAPGARD-F) |
This bulletin is being issued to inform Saturn retailers that the Astra is shipped with a plastic film known as "RAPGARD-F" applied to external horizontal painted surfaces to provide protection from all types of industrial fallout, acid rain, rail dust,
scratches, iron dust, bird droppings, etc.
This protection should be left on all vehicles during storage. It has been tested and approved for up to six months. To ensure that the film can be easily removed, it should be removed within six months of the vehicle build date.
Removal
| • | Removal should be done when body surface temperatures are between 50°C (120°F) and 82°C (180°F). |
| • | RAPGARD-F uses a light adhesive that may transfer to the painted surface during removal. The residue is usually detected when the vehicle is wet and a tell-tale image of the material can be identified by water beads. The area is usually not detectable
when the vehicle is dry. When removing the RAPGARD-F material, it is recommended that it be removed in one continuous motion in order to reduce the possibility of leaving an adhesive residue on the paint surface. If you stop or pause in the middle of a panel,
it is possible that a small amount of adhesive transfer may take place. The adhesive residue can be removed using a car wash-type soap and clean water. In severe cases, a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and clean water may be used. |
Important:
| • | After removal of RAPGARD-F, some vehicles may exhibit temporary paint discoloration or paint swelling. |
| • | This temporary swelling is caused by the paint finish absorbing moisture trapped under the film. |
| • | This swelling will disappear with exposure to sun light or heat lamps within 2-3 hours. |
| • | Severe paint swelling may require 2-3 days to recover. |
| • | DO NOT buff or refinish paint for this condition. |
