1977 Non-Metal Exterior Painted Parts; Proper Identification And Painting Of Interior Plastic Trim; Polypropylene, Abs Or Vinyl Plastic; Painting Interior Plastic Parts - Pontiac TRANS AM 1977 Service Manual

CHASSIS METAL, PLASTICS, PAINT AND REPAIR 2C-5
1977 NON-METAL EXTERIOR PAINTED PARTS
SERIES PART NAME MATERIAL MADE OF
A Bumper Filler Vinyl (use vinyl paint)
B Headlamp Outer Bezel Panels Fiberglass
B Lower Tail Lamp Panel
Inserts Fiberglass
G Header Panel Fiberglass
G Bumper Filler T.P.R.
F Formula Hood Scoops Fiberglass
F T/A Shaker Hood Scoop Fiberglass
F T/A Side Air Extractor Fiberglass
F Rear Air Spoiler &
Extensions Fiberglass
F
T/A Side Spoilers ABS
-
Stocked in colors
F Front Lower Air Spoiler ABS
Front End Panel
Rear Bumper
Bumper Filler
Tail Panel
Lower Front Valance
PROPER IDENTIFICATION AND
PAINTING OF INTERIOR PLASTIC TRIM
The General Motors Parts Division has initiated a
system of supplying a high percentage of interior plastic trim
pacts in only one color to reduce quantities of like parts in
different colors. When a color change is required in service,
it will be necessary to paint the parts at the dealership. This
does not apply to most headlinings or to soft vinyl seat
cushion and back cover assemblies, as they will continue to
be furnished in colors (F, H &
X
Series molded headliner
panels are to be vinyl spray colored).
G.M.P.D. will send the ordered color if available. If the
desired color is not available, a black part will be sent which
will need to be painted the proper color at the dealership.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO IDENTIFY each
paintable plastic part, and how to apply the available paint
materials are as follows:
Paintable plastic trim cqmponents, as used on General
Motors interiors, can be divided into three general types:
Polypropylene Plastic
ABS Plastic
Vinyl Plastic
Excluding the soft vinyl seat cushion and seat back trim
cover assemblies, the plastic used most widely on the interior
of bodies is "POLYPROPYLENE and. as noted later.
. .
requires special refinishing materials and procedures.
Therefore, it is important for a painter to be able to identify
each plastic in order to paint it satisfactorily. The purpose'
of the following tests is to determine the identity of a given
plastic so that the proper paint procedure and refinishing
materials will be used.
Urethane
Urethane
Urethane
Urethane
Panel E.E.D. (Non Paintable)
Service Part is T.P.R.
TEST PROCEDURE
Polypropylene, ABS or Vinyl Plastic
1. From a hidden backside portion of the part, remove
a sliver of plastic with a sharp blade.
2. Holding the sliver with needle-nose pliers, put it to
a flame and observe whether or not any smoke is given off
when burning.
3. ABS PLASTIC will give off a HEAVY BLACK
SMOKE, and POLYPROPYLENE will burn clean.
4. However, if a sliver gives off OTHER THAN
HEAVY BLACK SMOKE, it is either DIRTY
POLYPROPYLENE OR IS VINYL. To determine which
it is, the following burn test should be made with the hot tip
of a clean copper wire.
5. Heat the tip of the copper wire to a "red-glow" with
a propane (gas) torch.
6..Touch the heated wire to a hidden portion of the
plastic in question, to get some of the plastic on the wire.
7. Return the wire, with its now plastic-coated tip, to the
flame and observe for flame color.
8. If the flame given off from the wire is of the GREEN-
TURQUOISE-BLUE RANGE, then the PLASTIC IS
VINYL. (Any other color flame would indicate the material
is dirty polypropylene.)
PAINTING INTERIOR PLASTIC PARTS
Before painting, always check the body number plate of
the car for the correct trim code color number for that model
year. Your Fisher Body Service Manual will give you the
plate's location. Interior color is color keyed to this "Trim
Combination Number" on the body plate. Each paint
supplier provides an interior color chart which indentifies his
stock number, color name, gloss factor and trim combination
number for each "conventional" interior color. Charted