1997 Cadillac Catera Owner's Manual - Page 294

Cleaning ExteriorLampsLenses Use lukewarm or coldwater, a soft cloth and a liquid hand, dish or carwashing (mild detergent) soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses. Follow instructions under "Washing Your Vehicle." damage your vehicle's finish if they remain on painted surfaces. Wash thevehicle 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 a period of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking new by keeping your Catera garaged or covered whenever possible. Finish Care Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Catera by hand may be necessary to remove residue from the paint finish. You can getGM-approved cleaning products from your dealer. (See "Appearance Care and Materials" in the Index.) Your Caterahasa"basecoatklearcoat"paintfinish.The to the clearcoat gives more depth and gloss colored basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are non-abrasive and made for a basecoatklearcoat paint finish. Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome Wheels (If Equipped) Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax may then beapplied. The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted surface of your Catera. Don't use strong soaps, chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners or abrasive cleaning brushes on them because youcould damage the surface. You may use chrome polish on chrome wheels, but avoid any painted surface of the wheel, and buff off immediately after application. Don't take your vehicle through an automatic car wash that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes. These brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels. NOTICE: Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on a basecoatklearcoat paint finish dull the may finish or leave swirl marks. Foreign materials such as calciumchloride and other salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can 6-51