Classification:

Reference:

Date:

BT99-032I

ITB99-043I

August 1, 2023

PAINT SWELL/STAIN/SPOT UNDER PAINT GUARD FILM
This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page.
Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

APPLIED VEHICLES:

All Infiniti Production Models with Paint Guard Film

SERVICE INFORMATION
HINT: Failure to follow the procedures in this bulletin may result in the denial of a warranty claim.

In an effort to protect the paint finish, Paint Guard Film (PGF) is applied on many new Infiniti vehicles.
Paint Guard Film is a temporary white plastic protective film that is applied by the factory to the horizontal
painted surfaces of the vehicle. The PGF protects the paint finish during vehicle handling, transportation and
storage from harmful elements such as acid rain, iron particles, bird droppings, tree sap and other
environmental contaminants.
IMPORTANT: PGF CANNOT remain on:


The vehicle bumper fascia for more than three (3) months after the vehicle's manufacture date.



The vehicle body for more than six (6) months after the vehicle's manufacture date.

PGF must be removed at the end of these time periods.
If an Infiniti vehicle exhibits swelling, stains or spots on the paint finish (which appear milky or whitish on dark
colored vehicles and dark-shaded or coffee-colored on light colored vehicles) immediately after the PGF is
removed, the cause may be moisture collection under pockets/creases of the PGF. The paint may absorb
moisture which may cause the affected paint finish area to temporarily discolor.

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.
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The size of the swell, stain, or spot may range from a
dime to a clinched fist and have an irregular shape
and possibly a slightly raised surface.

Windshield
wiper
Stain area

This incident may occur anywhere under the PGF,
but may be noted in particular to occur around the
windshield fluid nozzle (Figure 1) and on the deck lid.
In any case, use the following service procedure to
correct the incident.

Windshield washer
fluid nozzle

Front

IMPORTANT: If this condition occurs, do not rebuff
or initially attempt to repaint the affected area.
Perform the following SERVICE PROCEDURE first.

TP990512

Figure 1

SERVICE PROCEDURE
Use one of the following procedures to remove the moisture from the affected area(s).
Place Vehicle in Sunlight (Warm Weather)
In warm weather, place the vehicle in the sunlight. The paint condition should disappear in a few hours
depending on the severity of the condition.
Place Vehicle Indoors (Cold Weather)
In cold weather, place the vehicle indoors at a temperature of approximately 70° F. The paint condition should
disappear in about 8 to 12 hours depending on the severity of the condition.
Heat Lamp or Heat Gun
To speed up the recovery process of the condition, use a portable infrared heat lamp or a heat gun. Follow
Important Points listed below and on page 3 when using a heat lamp or a heat gun.
CAUTION: Only an experienced paint technician, who is familiar with paint temperature limitations, should use
a heat lamp or heat gun. Also, do not use a heat lamp or heat gun on painted plastic body components
(i.e., bumper covers, spoilers, etc.).
Important Points


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.
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ITB99-043I



Maintain the heat lamp/heat gun distance
so the painted surface temperature is
between 175° and 190° F (80° - 90° C).
Affix a paper label thermometer on the
paint surface, two inches away from the
affected area (Figure 2), to monitor the
surface temperature.

Heat gun

No closer
than 12 inches

Stain area

Temperature
label (place 2
inches from
stain area)
F
0˚ ˚C
13 .4
54 0˚F
C
14 0˚
6
F
0˚ ˚C
15 .6
65 0˚F
C
16 1˚
7
F
0˚ C
17 7˚
7 ˚F
0 C
18 2˚
8
F
0˚ C
19 8˚
8 ˚F
0 C
20 3˚
9

HINT: Paper label thermometers can be
purchased from the company listed at the
bottom of this page.

Between
175˚-190˚F.

TP990513

Figure 2


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



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



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

This repair is effective only if performed within a short time period after the PGF 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.
If the condition does not disappear after the above service procedures are performed, the condition may be
permanent and the affected area may have to be re-painted.
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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ITB99-043I

CLAIMS INFORMATION
If further repairs necessitating buffing or repainting are needed and paint inspection is required, refer to the
Assurance Products Reference Manual (APRM) and the Paint Incident Identification Manual (PIIM) for the
current paint approval process.

AMENDMENT HISTORY
PUBLISHED DATE

REFERENCE

September 10, 1999

ITB99-043

Original bulletin published

November 14, 2006

ITB99-043A

Paper thermometer supplier changed

December 7, 2006

ITB99-043B

CLAIMS INFORMATION revised

December 20, 2007

ITB99-043C

Publication date revised to include the latest models and
model years

March 12, 2008

ITB99-043D

August 8, 2008

ITB99-043E

February 11, 2011

ITB99-043F

March 11, 2015

ITB99-043G

April 4, 2018

ITB99-043H

August 1, 2023

ITB99-043I

DESCRIPTION

Publication date revised to include the latest models and
model years, and “NOTE” regarding warranty claims
added
Publication date revised to include the latest models and
model years
Publication date revised to include the latest models and
model years, and company contact information on page
3 updated
Publication date revised to include the latest models and
model years
Publication date revised to include the latest models and
model years
Publication date revised to include the latest models and
model years, page 1 and CLAIMS INFORMATION
revised, and “NOTE” references changed to “HINT”

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ITB99-043I