Chemical Paint Spotting; Underbody Maintenance - Chevrolet 2002 Prizm Owner's Manual

Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer's body and paint shop.

Underbody Maintenance

Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are
not removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur
on the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame,
floor pan and exhaust system even though they
have corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can
do this for you.
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Chemical Paint Spotting

Some weather and atmospheric conditions can
create a chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can
fall upon and attack painted surfaces on your
vehicle. This damage can take two forms: blotchy,
-
up
-
ringlet shaped discolorations, and small irregular
dark spots etched into the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this,
Chevrolet will repair, at no charge to the owner,
the surfaces of new vehicles damaged by this
fallout condition within 12 months or 12,000 miles
(20 000 km) of purchase, whichever occurs first.