Bumps or Iron Dust on Paint Surface (Apply Buffered Oxalic Acid Spray or a Clay Type Non-Acid Based Product Using Manufacturers Recommendations) #99-08-51-006C - (Mar 7, 2003)

1991-2003 Saturn Vehicles

Due to revisions under MODELS AFFECTED and CLAIM INFORMATION, this bulletin supersedes bulletin 95-T-52D, which should be discarded.

Condition

Bumps or iron dust on paint surface.

Cause

Rail dust, which comes from tiny iron particles produced from the friction between the train wheels and the track, gets deposited on the surface of the paint. Iron dust can get deposited on the surface of the paint if the vehicle is stored near any operation producing iron dust such as a steel ore yard. Rail and/or iron dust can either lay on top of, or embed into, the paint surface.

Correction

Remove rail and/or iron dust using an after market rail/iron dust remover. There are two types of repair materials recommended by Saturn Corporation to repair rail and/or iron dust damage.

• Oxalic Acid - an acid based product that when applied, breaks the bond between embedded metallic particles and substrate underneath.
• Clay Type Non - Acid Based - a non-acid based product that picks up bonded contaminants as it is rubbed across the painted surface.

Important

Regardless of the material used, follow the manufacturer's recommendations for application and safety.

Use the following rail/iron dust remover or equivalent:

* We believe these sources and their products to be reliable. There may be additional manufacturers of such products. Saturn Corporation does not endorse, indicate any preference for or assume any responsibility for the products from these firms or for any such items which may be available from other sources.

Claim Information

Important

This labor operation only applies to vehicles shipped by rail.

To receive credit for this repair during the warranty coverage period, submit a claim through the Saturn Dealer System for A5575 when using Oxalic Acid Products, or A5580 when using Clay Type Non-Oxalic Acid Products.

Important

Auto-Magic's "Clay Magic" from Auto Wax Company, Inc. may be sold to the Customer Service Order (CSO) as material using net item code "M". Claims exceeding the material amount of $1.40 ($1.00 cost plus 40% parts allowance) will be returned with reason 143 - Material Amount Greater Than Maximum Allowed.

Important

Touch of Class® Fallout Remover II from Cal-Tex Protective Coatings, Inc. may be sold to the Customer Service Order (CSO) as material using net item code "M". Claims exceeding the material amount of $2.56 ($1.83 cost plus 40% parts allowance) will be returned with reason 143 - Material Amount Greater Than Maximum Allowed.

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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