1997 GMC Sonoma Owner's Manual - Page 296

Finish Care Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by hand may be necessary to remove residue from the paint finish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products from your dealer. (See "Appearance Care and Materials" in the Index.) Your vehicle has a "basecoatlclearcoat" paint finish. The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss tothe colored basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are non-abrasive and made for a basecoatklearcoat paint finish. droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can damage your vehicle's finish if they remain on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter. Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather and chemical fallout that can take their toll over aperiod of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered whenever possible. Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Parts Bright metal parts should be cleaned regularly to keep their luster. Washing with water is all that is usually needed. However, you may use chrome polish on chrome or stainlesssteel trim, if necessary. Use special care with aluminum trim. To avoid damaging protective trim, never use auto orchrome polish, steam or caustic soap to clean aluminum. A coating of wax, rubbed to high polish, is recommended for all bright metal parts. I NOTICE: Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on a basecoatklearcoat paint finishmay dull the finish or leave swirl marks. Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird 6-58