INFO. - THERMOPLASTIC REPAIR INCLUDING FRONT IMPACT BEAM. Chevrolet Malibu 1997

SUBJECT: INFORMATION - THERMOPLASTIC REPAIR INCLUDING FRONT IMPACT BEAM

MODELS: 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

THE XENOY IMPACT BEAM HAS BEEN ENGINEERED TO WITHSTAND SLIGHT IMPACTS (5 MPH OR LESS), AND SUSTAIN LITTLE OR NO DAMAGE. HOWEVER, IN SOME INSTANCES, THE IMPACT BEAM WILL DEFORM FROM ITS ORIGINAL STATE. FOLLOWING THIS PROCEDURE WILL ALLOW THE TECHNICIAN TO REPAIR AN IMPACT BEAM AND RETURN THE VEHICLE TO ITS ORIGINAL CRASHWORTHINESS. HOWEVER, IF BEAM IS CRACKED, REPLACE IT. THERE ARE 3 BASIC THERMOPLASTIC REPAIR METHODS AS FOLLOWS:

1. IDENTIFY PLASTIC

2. CLEAN

3. REPAIR

DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURE:

1. REMOVE THE PART FROM THE VEHICLE.

2. IDENTIFY PLASTIC - LOOK FOR ISO SYMBOL MOLDED INTO PART (EXAMPLE: PC + PETP).

3. CLEAN - CLEAN PART WITH SOAP, WATER AND PLASTIC CLEANER (EXAMPLE: DUPONT 2319S OR EQUIVALENT).

4. REPAIR - USING A HOT-AIR WELDER OR A HOT AIR GUN, HEAT DAMAGED AREA VERY SLOWLY FOR MAXIMUM RESULTS. CONTINUE TO APPLY HEAT UNTIL YOU ARE ABLE TO MOVE PART BACK INTO ITS ORIGINAL CONFIGURATION, (NO CREASING OR IRREGULARITIES, AND ALL OF THE MATERIAL IS FLAT). THEN, SHAPE TO ORIGINAL CONTOUR.

5. ALLOW PART TO COOL.

6. REMOUNT THE PART TO THE VEHICLE.

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GENERAL MOTORS BULLETINS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS, NOT A "DO-IT-YOURSELFER". THEY ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM THOSE TECHNICIANS OF CONDITIONS THAT MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES, OR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT COULD ASSIST IN THE PROPER SERVICE OF A VEHICLE. PROPERLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS HAVE THE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND KNOW-HOW TO DO A JOB PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IF A CONDITION IS DESCRIBED, DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE BULLETIN APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, OR THAT YOUR VEHICLE WILL HAVE THAT CONDITION. SEE A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER SERVICING YOUR BRAND OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE FOR INFORMATION ON WHETHER YOUR VEHICLE MAY BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION.