Classification:

Reference:

BT19-004E

Date:

ITB19-008E

August 24, 2023

VEHICLE EXTERIOR AND WHEEL CLEANING INFORMATION
This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page.
Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

APPLIED VEHICLES:

All Infiniti vehicles

SERVICE INFORMATION
Note the following when cleaning the exterior or the wheels of an Infiniti vehicle:


Always refer to the Appearance and Care section of the related owner’s manual.



Exterior damage may occur when using a cleaner with a high alkaline concentration.





Wheel and wheel cover damage may occur when using acidic (harsh) cleaners.
DO NOT use Chrome Wheel Cleaner on Infiniti wheels. Many chrome wheel
cleaners have acidic ingredients.
Not all cleaners are created equal.



Many cleaners come in concentrated form.



Alkaline cleaners (cleaners with a high pH value) can cause spots on paint and trim
when not used as directed.
Some commercial car washes use cleaners with a high pH value.





When using cleaners that meet the conditions defined in the Appearance and Care
section, be sure to carefully follow the cleaner’s directions.
When finished cleaning/washing, rinse thoroughly with clean water.

IMPORTANT: Damage to wheels, paint, glass, bright metal, or any other exterior surface
caused by using improper cleaning products is not covered under warranty. Always refer to
the Paint Incident Identification Manual (PIIM) and Assurance Products Reference
Manual (APRM). Follow the guidelines in the PIIM and APRM for non-warrantable exterior
body, glass, or painted surface quality issues.
To access the PIIM and APRM, log in to nnanet.com (NNAnet2.0).


For the PIIM, select: MY LINKS > Warranty > Paint Incident Identification Manual



For the APRM, select: MY LINKS > Warranty > Warranty Resource Website >
APRM

See additional information in this bulletin.
Infiniti Bulletins are intended for use by qualified technicians, not 'do-it-yourselfers'. Qualified technicians are
properly trained individuals who have the equipment, tools, safety instruction, and know-how to do a job
properly and safely. NOTE: If you believe that a described condition may apply to a particular vehicle, DO
NOT assume that it does. See your Infiniti retailer to determine if this applies to your vehicle.
1/9

Examples of Exterior Damage Caused by Harsh Cleaners
Painted surfaces and glass

Figure 1

Exterior trim

Figure 2

Wheels

Stains/spots
caused by
acidic cleaner

Figure 3

General Cleaning Information
 Wash dirt off the vehicle and wheels with a wet sponge and plenty of water.
 Clean the vehicle and wheels thoroughly using a mild soap, a special vehicle soap,
or general purpose dishwashing liquid, mixed with clean lukewarm (never hot) water.
 Infiniti recommends that the road wheels be waxed to protect against road salt in
areas where it is used during winter.
 Make sure to follow all instructions in the Appearance and Care section of the
Owner’s Manual.

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ITB19-008E

Wheel Mask Residue


New vehicles are delivered to the retailer with wheel masks.



When the wheel masks are removed, some adhesive residue may remain on the
wheel. Sometimes this residue is not visible.



When wheel masks are removed, the wheel must be cleaned to make sure
there is no residue left on the wheel (even if there is no visible residue).



To remove adhesive reside, use 3M™ General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner, P/N
08984 (quart) or a 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water. Gently remove the
residue, using care not to scratch the wheel.
o For chemical availability, refer to the manufacturer’s website.



Failure to clean adhesive residue leads to dirt collection on the residue, and possible
wheel scratch when clients clean their wheels.



Dirt collected in adhesive residue may lead to misdiagnosis that a wheel is
damaged, when in fact it is only dirt and residue that needs proper cleaning.

Wheel mask
residue

Figure 4

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ITB19-008E

Wheel Water Spot Residue


New vehicles are delivered to the retailer with wheel masks.



Wheel masks are sometimes installed on vehicles that sit prolonged periods for rotor
rust prevention.
o Ensure wheels are completely dry before applying any type of wheel mask or the
water can absorb into the clearcoat of the wheel and leave a white mark that may
not come out with normal cleaning.



To remove water spot residue in the clearcoat of a wheel, refer to Heat Lamp or
Heat Gun on the next page.



Water spot residue may lead to misdiagnosis that a wheel is damaged, when in fact
it is only water spot residue that needs proper removal.

Water spot
residue

Figure 5

Water spot
residue after
using heat gun

Figure 6

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ITB19-008E

Heat Lamp or Heat Gun
To speed up the recovery process of the condition, use a portable infrared heat lamp or a
heat gun.

To avoid damage to the vehicle, only an experienced paint technician, who is familiar with
paint/clearcoat temperature limitations should use a heat lamp or heat gun.
IMPORTANT:


This repair is effective only if performed within a short time period after the
PGF/wheel mask is removed from the vehicle, i.e., a few days in mild climates, or
within a week in colder climates. This repair will not be effective beyond that time
frame.



The maximum total bulb wattage for the infrared heat lamp should not exceed 750
watts.



The heat gun wattage should be between 1200 and 1400 watts.



Do not apply the heat gun for more than 5 minutes as permanent damage (i.e.,
bubbling, burns, etc.) can occur to the clearcoat.



Do not hold the heat gun closer than 12 inches from the clearcoat. Also, do not hold
the heat gun in one position, rather, move it continuously from side to side to heat
the affected area evenly.



Maintain the heat lamp/heat gun
distance so the clearcoat surface
temperature is between 80° - 90° C
(175° - 190° F).

Paper label
thermometer

o Affix a paper label thermometer
on the clearcoat surface, two
inches away from the affected
area to monitor the surface
temperature.


Do not apply heat directly on to the
paper label thermometer, as this will
give a false temperature reading.



Paper label thermometers can be
purchased from the company listed
on the next page.



Figure 7

If the condition does not disappear
after the above service procedures
are performed, the condition may be
permanent and the wheel may have
to be replaced.

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ITB19-008E

Paper thermometers may be purchased from the company listed below.
HINT: Equivalent paper thermometers may be used and are available from other local
suppliers.
TIP Temperature Products
340 W. Broad Street
Burlington, NJ 08016
Phone: 1-800-847-8367
Fax: 1-609-239-1911
www.tiptemp.com
P/N TLCSEN023 (non-reversible, 10/pkg.)
P/N TLCSEN006 (reversible, 10/pkg.)

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ITB19-008E

Cleaning Product pH Information


Exterior surfaces are susceptible to damage from alkaline cleaners with a high pH
value.



Cleaners should have a pH that is close to neutral (pH of 7). Cleaners with a neutral
pH include mild soaps and general purpose dishwashing liquids.

The pH scale is from 0 to 14:
0

1
2
 Acidic

3

4

5

6

7
8
Neutral

9

10

11

12
13
14
Alkaline 



The more a cleaning product deviates from a pH of 7 (or neutral) the harsher the
cleaner is, and the more likely it is to cause exterior surface damage.



The pH of a product can usually be found on the MSDS (Materials Safety Data
Sheet) for a given product.



See examples of pH information from the MSDS on the next page.

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ITB19-008E

Examples of pH Information From MSDS

Example 1

pH of 1-2:
This is acidic
(harsh cleaner)

Example 2

pH of 7-8:
This is neutral
(mild cleaner – recommended)

Example 3

pH of 10-11:
This is alkaline
(harsh cleaner)

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ITB19-008E

AMENDMENT HISTORY
PUBLISHED DATE REFERENCE

DESCRIPTION

April 2, 2019

ITB19-008

February 12, 2021

ITB19-008A

April 16, 2021

ITB19-008B

December 7, 2021

ITB19-008C

April 29, 2022

ITB19-008D

Changes throughout

ITB19-008E

Publication date updated to include the latest
models and model years, page 1 revised, and
“NOTE” references changed to “HINT”

August 24, 2023

Original bulletin published
Publication date updated to include the latest models
and model years
Added wheel cleaning information from ITB15-020,
publication date updated to include the latest models
and model years
Publication date updated to include the latest models
and model years

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ITB19-008E