Classification:

Reference:

BT99-031I

Date:

NTB99-060I

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 Nissan 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
Nissan 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 a Nissan 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.
Nissan 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 Nissan dealer 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

TP990512

Figure 1
IMPORTANT: If this condition occurs, do not rebuff or initially attempt to repaint the
affected area. Perform the following SERVICE PROCEDURE first.

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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NTB99-060I

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

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.
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.)

3/4

NTB99-060I

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

NTB99-060

November 14, 2006

NTB99-060A

Paper thermometer supplier changed

December 7, 2006

NTB99-060B

CLAIMS INFORMATION revised

December 20, 2007

NTB99-060C

Publication date revised to include the latest
models and model years

March 12, 2008

NTB99-060D

August 8, 2008

NTB99-060E

February 11, 2011

NTB99-060F

March 11, 2015

NTB99-060G

April 4, 2018

NTB99-060H

August 1, 2023

NTB99-060I

DESCRIPTION
Original bulletin published

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”

4/4

NTB99-060I