1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Owner's Manual - Page 270

Sheet Metal Damage If your vehicleis 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. At least every spring,flush these materialsfrom the underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas of the f r m e should be loosened before being flushed. Your retailer or an underbody car washing system can do this for you. Finish Damage Any stone chips, fracturesor deep scratches in the finish should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode quickly and may develop into a major repair expense. 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 Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched in materials availablefrom your retaileror other service the paint surface. outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected in your retailer's body and paint shop. Although no defect in the paint job causes this, Oldsmobile will repair, at no charge to the owner, the Underbody Maintenance surfaces of new vehicles damaged by this fallout Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust control condition within 12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) can collect on the underbody. If these are not removed, of purchase, whichever occurs first. 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.