Description / Abstract: Introduction

Note: Nothing in this standard supercedes applicable laws and regulations.

Note: In the event of conflict between the English and domestic language, the English language shall take precedence.

Purpose. This standard covers the performance requirements for applied organic surface finishes on metallic automobile body parts and components. The focus is the performance of coated parts for which the coating is GM approved, as evidenced by its presence in GM Materials Approved Source List or other regionally approved material databases. However, approval criteria are included for instances when new material is necessary. Six (6) types of requirements are specified in 1.3 through 1.3.6, dependent upon the severity of service operation of the component. All interior painted metal parts must also meet the requirements of GMW14444.

Applicability. This performance standard applies to organic surface finishes on metallic automobile body parts and components.

Classification.

Type A1. Applicable to surface finishes used on the external body and on external components in areas of exceptionally severe service, e.g., vehicle front, sides.

Type A2. Applicable to surface finishes used on the external body and on external components in areas with little/no chipping exposure, e.g., vehicle roof, and rear-facing areas.

Type A3. Applicable to surface finishes used on external components which are not Type A1 or Type A2, and for which performance requirements must be specially defined; this type typically is not used.

Type B1. Applicable to surface finishes used on internal body parts and components in areas of severe service operations, e.g., solar; direct sunlight exposure, and corrosion; items in contact with wet floor, such as lower seat structure.

Type B2. Applicable to surface finishes used on internal body parts and components in areas of moderate service operation, e.g., solar; indirect sunlight exposure, and corrosion; items readily visible near floor, such as brake pedal arm, speaker grilles in lower door.

Type B3. Applicable to surface finishes used on internal components in areas of normal service operation, e.g., solar; no direct sunlight exposure; corrosion; any other steel components visible with difficulty, such as upper structure under seats, structures visible with closures (e.g., glove box) open or seats folded.

Note: Structures not visible to customers (e.g., instrument panel support) may require only temporary corrosion protection and are not covered under this standard.

Some interior components may have mixed service severity (e.g., Type B1 for corrosion and Type B3 for solar). In this case, the most severe type shall be listed and exception(s) noted on the engineering drawing.

This standard does not cover performance requirements for:

Organic coatings on highly stressed exterior parts (e.g., road wheels). See GMW14670 for steel wheels and/or GMW14885 for aluminum wheels.

Organic coatings on chassis components. See GMW14671.

Organic coatings on plastic parts. See GMW14797.

Organic coatings on fasteners.