1996 Chevrolet Suburban Owner's Manual - Page 346

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 GM Chrome Polish on chrome or stainlesssteel trim, if necessary. Use special care with aluminum trim. To avoid damaging protective trim, never use auto or chrome polish, steam or caustic soapto clean aluminum. A coating of wax, rubbed to high polish, is recommended for all bright metal parts. Aluminum Wheels (IfSo Equipped) Your aluminum wheels have a protective coating similar to the painted chrome polish, surface of your vehicle. Don't use strong soaps, chemicals, abrasive cleaners or abrasive cleaning brushes on them because you could damage this coating. Afterrinsing thoroughly, a wax may be applied. NOTICE: If you have aluminum wheels, don't use an automatic car wash that has hard silicon carbide cleaning brushes. These brushes can take the protective coating off your aluminum wheels. Tires To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner. When applying a tire dressing always take care to wipe off any overspray or splash from painted surfaces. Petroleum-based products may damage the paint finish. Sheet Metal Damage If your vehicle is 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. Foreign Material Calcium chloride and other salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, and other foreign matter can damage your vehicle's finish if they remain on painted surfaces. Use cleaners that aremarked safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter. 6-69