Chrysler neon 1997 Service Manual page 1587

23 - 2 BODY
GENERAL INFORMATION
AFTERMARKET PAINT REPAIR PRODUCTS . . . 3
BASE COAT/CLEAR COAT FINISH . . . . . . . . . . . 2
GENERAL INFORMATION
PAINT CODE
A paint code is provided on the body code plate
located in the engine compartment. Refer to the
Introduction section at the front of this manual for
body code plate description. The paint and trim codes
are also included on the Vehicle Safety Label located
on the driver's door end frame.
BASE COAT/CLEAR COAT FINISH
On most vehicles a two-part paint application (base
coat/clear coat) is used. Color paint that is applied to
primer is called base coat. The clear coat protects the
base coat from ultraviolet light and provides a dura-
ble high-gloss finish.
WET SANDING, BUFFING, AND POLISHING
Minor acid etching, orange peel, or smudging in
clear coat or single-stage finishes can be reduced
with light wet sanding, hand buffing, and polishing.
If the finish has been wet sanded in the past, it
cannot be repeated. Wet sanding operation
should be performed by a trained automotive
paint technician.
CAUTION: Do not remove clear coat finish, if
equipped. Base coat paint must retain clear coat for
durability.
PAINT
INDEX
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PAINT CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
PAINTED SURFACE TOUCHUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
WET SANDING, BUFFING, AND POLISHING . . . 2
PAINTED SURFACE TOUCHUP
When a painted metal surface has been scratched
or chipped, it should be touched-up as soon as possi-
ble to avoid corrosion. For best results, use Mopar
Scratch Filler/Primer, Touch-Up Paints and Clear Top
Coat. Refer to Introduction group of this manual for
Body Code Plate information.
TOUCHUP PROCEDURE
(1) Scrape loose paint and corrosion from inside
scratch or chip.
(2) Clean affected area with Mopar Tar/Road Oil
Remover, and allow to dry.
(3) Fill the inside of the scratch or chip with a coat
of filler/primer. Do not overlap primer onto good sur-
face finish. The applicator brush should be wet
enough to puddle-fill the defect without running. Do
not stroke brush applicator on body surface. Allow
the filler/primer to dry hard.
(4) Cover the filler/primer with color touch-up
paint. Do not overlap touchup color onto the original
color coat around the scratch or chip. Butt the new
color to the original color, if possible. Do not stroke
applicator brush on body surface. Allow touchup
paint to dry hard.
(5) On vehicles without clear coat, the touchup
color can be lightly wet sanded (1500 grit) and pol-
ished with rubbing compound.
(6) On vehicles with clear coat, apply clear top coat
to touchup paint with the same technique as
described in Step 4. Allow clear top coat to dry hard.
If desired, Step 5 can be performed on clear top coat.
PL
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