Pontiac Fiero 1988 Service Manual page 1283

1J-10 GENERAL INFORMATION
When painting RIM panels (front or rear fascia)
the paint
m u s t
have elastomeric or flexible properties.
There is a wide choice of flexible paint systems
available for service use, however, many require
additives containing isocyanates. Be certain to follow
the manufacturer's recommendations. Procedures and
warnings listed on the container are provided with the
material selected.
CAUTION: If t h e
paint system
selected specifies an additive
containing isocyanates, it is
mandatory that adequate respiratory
protection be worn. An exapmle of
such protection is an air line respirator
with a full hood or half mask. If not
available, use a vapor/particulate
respirator that the respirator supplier
recommends as effective
for
isocyanate vapors and mists (unless
local regulations prevail).
When using a flexible paint system, color coat the
entire panel. Spot repair is not recommended.
INTERIOR P L A S T I C TRIM PARTS
FINISHING
Paintable plastic interior trim components can be
divided into three general types:
m Polypropylene Plastic
• ABS Plastic
• Vinyl Plastic
It is important for a painter to be able to identify
each plastic in order to paint it satisfactorily. Painting
of complete soft seat cushion and seatback trim cover
assemblies of vinyl construction is not approved by the
factory. Excluding the soft seat cushion and seat back
trim cover assemblies, the plastic used most widely on
the interior of bodies is polypropylene.
The purpose of the following tests is to determine
the identity of a given plastic so that proper paint
procedures and materials can be used.
TESTS FOR PLASTIC IDENTIFICATION
The purpose of the following tests is to determine
the identity of a given plastic so that proper paint
procedures and materials can be used.
Test for Polypropylene and ABS Plastic
To determine if a service part to be painted is
polypropylene or ABS plastic, perform the following
burn test:
1. From a hidden backside portion of the part,
remove a sliver of plastic with a sharp blade.
2. While holding the sliver of plastic with tweezers
or laying it on a clean noncombustible surface,
ignite the plastic.
3. Observe the burning plastic closely:
a. Polypropylene burns with no readily visible
smoke.
b. ABS plastic burns with a readily visible
black smoke residue which hangs
temporarily in the air.
Test for Vinyl Plastic
To determine if a part to be painted is vinyl plastic
(polyvinyl chloride), a copper wire test should be
performed as follows:
1. Heat a copper wire in a suitable flame such as
provided by a propane or equivalent torch until
the wire glows (turns red).
2. Touch the heated wire to the backside or hidden
surface of the part being tested in a manner so as
to retain some of the plastic on the wire.
3. Return the wire (and retained plastic) to the
flame and observe for a green, turquoise blue
flame. A flame in this color range indicates that
the plastic being tested is vinyl.
4. If black smoke residue, which hangs temporarily
in the air, is readily visible when wire (with
retained plastic residue) is returned to the flame,
the part is made of flexible (soft) ABS plastic
material.
PAINTING POLYPROPYLENE PLASTIC PARTS
The system for painting polypropylene parts
involves the use of a special primer. Since
polypropylene plastic is hard, it can be color coated
after prime with conventional interior acrylic lacquer.
NOTICE:
Service part must be primed with a
coating of special polypropylene primer according
to factory recommendations. Failure to use the
required primer as directed will result in color coat
lifting and/or peeling problems. Use
Polypropylene Primer, part no. 1052364, or
equivalent.
1. Wash part with a solvent such as Acryli-Clean,
Pre-Kleano, Prep-Sol or equivalent. Follow label
directions.
2. Apply a thin, wet coat of polypropylene primer
according to label directions. Wetness of primer
is determined by observing gloss reflection of
spray application in adequate lighting. Be sure
primer application includes all edges. Allow
primer to flash dry one minute minimum and ten
minutes maximum.
3. During the above flash time period (1 to 10
minutes), apply conventional interior acrylic
lacquer color as required and allow to dry before
installing part. Application of color during above
flash time range promotes best adhesion of color
coats.
PAINTING RIGID OR HARD ABS PLASTIC
PARTS
Rigid or hard ABS plastic requires no primer.
Conventional interior acrylic lacquers adhere
satisfactorily to hard ABS plastics.
1. Wash part with a solvent such as Acryli-Clean,
Pre-Kleano, Prep-Sol or equivalent.
2. Apply conventional interior acrylic lacquer color
according to trim combination (see paint supplier
color chart for trim and color code). Apply only