1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner's Manual - Page 331

Finish Care Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Pontiac 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" i the Index.) n Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather and chemical fallout that can take their over a period toll of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking new by keeping your Pontiac garaged or covered whenever possible. Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped) Keep your wheels clean usinga soft cleancloth with mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax may then be applied. The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted surface of your vehicle. Don't use strong soaps, chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners or abrasive cleaning brushes on them because you could damage the surface. Don't take your vehicle through an automatic vehicle wash that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes. Thesebrushes can also damage the surface of these wheels. Your Pontiac has a "basecoatklearcoat" paint finish. The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss the colored basecoat. to Always use waxes and polishes that are non-abrasive and made fora basecoatklearcoat paint finish. NOTICE: Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish may 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 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 aremarked safe forpainted surfaces to remove foreign matter. 6-61