The body is pre-treated to ensure high resistance to corrosion and stone chip dama ge. Prior to the first major pre-treatment process, the body shell is high-pressure washed to remove any metal dust and residual oil.
The first major pre-treatment process consists of phosphate and electro-paint deposition, which together with zinc coating,
forms the basis of the corrosion protection. This process includes high pressure knock-off, alkali de-greasing, zinc phosphate
conversion of body steel (dissolving iron and coating with zinc phosphate crystals), trivalent chrome rinsing and
demineralized water rinsing, seal ing all chemicals and impurities.
Both dip and spray techniques are employed and the bodies are submerged to the waistline during the first and third rinses
of the main phosphate clean. Chemical strengths and soluti on temperatures are continuously monitored and accurately
controlled throughout the process.
An 80% water primer is then cathodic elec tro-deposition applied to the thoroughly cleansed bodies in a uniform 'sag-free'
film 18 to 32 micron thick. Optimum durabi lity of the electroprimer is achieved by finally curing in a stoving oven at 165 °C
for a period of 20 minutes.
All underbody seams of the fully primed bo dies are then manually sealed, to prevent water and dust ingress into the vehicle
and to enhance corrosion protection.
An 800 to 1000 g/m2 PVC coating is semi-automatic airless sp ray applied to the underside of the main floor panels, trunk
floor and rear wheel arches (ref. illustration above).
The upper panels of primed and external ly sealed bodyshells are next lightly scuffed to remove imperfections and a PVC
coating is applied to all internal seams by an airless spray technique. A PVC bead seal is also applied to the doors, hood and
trunk clinch joints.
Following anti-corrosion, sealing and primin g treatment, the bodies enter the first stage of 'cosmetic' painting. This consists
of the application of two coats of a highly chip resistant po lyester surfacer, employing high voltage electrostatic 'spinning
bells', to achieve a final film thickness of 35 to 50 micron. Between surfacer coats, a polyurethane coat is automatically
applied to the sills to impart even greater resistance to stone chipping.
All interior panels are then painted us ing a color keyed sealer, wet-on-wet wi th a surfacer material, after which the
bodyshells are stoved at 160 °C for a period of 20 minutes. Further protection agai nst corrosion is provided by a medium
solids black pigmented wax which is airless spray applied to vehicle undersides.
Wax Injected Box Sections
Critical body box-sections are si milarly protected by spray injecting a high solids wax. This is then re-flowed at 70 to 90 °C
to achieve optimum seam/joint penetratio n and form a resilient and durable internal coating (ref. illustration above).
After full wet sanding, rinsing and drying to provide a good su bstrate, a color-keyed semi-matt sealer co at is applied using
electrostatic bells to achieve a film build of 25 to 35 micron . The bodies are then stoved for a further 20 minutes at a
temperature of 145 °C and subjected to a local 'seek-and-find' de -nib operation prior to the final two coat process. The final
top coat finish is achieved by using poly ester base coat colors and an acrylic sag resistant clear coat. This clear over base
(COB) process produces a high gloss, durabl e paint finish with a film thickness of 50 to 65 micron, which is finally cured at a
temperature of 135°C for 20 minutes.
The Munsell three dimensional system of color management is em ployed to achieve highly accurate control of vehicle colors.
This system ensures that paint pigmentations are accurately maintained and facilitates vigorous final checking of finished
vehicles for color match. The hu e of individual panels such as trunk lids, doors and hoods is in some instances adjusted to
offset the effects of differing light angles. Where applicable, coachlines are manually applied and radiant heat cured on the
completed and valeted vehicle prior to hand spray applic ation of a protective wax coat.
Introduction
All repairs, whether structural or cosmetic must return the vehicle to the original manufactured condition with regard to
occupant safety, dimensional accuracy, fi nish and corrosion protection, and ensure continuation of the Paint Surface and
Corrosion warranty where applicable.
Similarly, repaired vehicles must be fu lly checked, and where appropriate reset, with regard to steering, suspension,
braking, and occupant restraint systems.
ZINC COATED PANELS
Description
Approximately 70% of the 'body in white' (BIW) mass is made up of zinc coated panels.
• NOTE: To maintain the protective qualities of the zinc trea tment, repairs to any damaged coated area must be made as
soon as possible after the damage has occurred.
All exterior skin panels, with the exceptio n of the roof, are double side zinc plated and this coating (nominally 7,5 microns)
provides two way corrosion protection. Should the outer layer of paint become chipped with the zinc coating remain intact,
the zinc will oxidize on contact with air and being impermeable, this coat of oxidation will prevent corrosion damage of the
base metal. If the outer layer of paint and the zinc coating become damaged, the zinc rather than the base metal will react
with the air and 'sacrifice' itself to corrosion as a 'sacrificial anode'.
Welding Preparation
Contamination of the weld with resultant reduction in joint st rength increase and increased electrode tip dressing frequency
will occur zinc coating is not removed. In exceptional cases where the zinc coating must remain intact, the tip pressure and
welding current should be increased by 10 to 20%.
Where 'resistance spot welding' is employed, the zinc coatin g should be lightly abraded away on the mating surfaces and
those in contact with the electrode tips. Do not remove more zinc coating than is absolutely necessary.
Before welding, a weld-through primer or inter-weld sealer should be applied, as detailed in the Body Sealing and
Preservation manual.
Where MIG welding is used as an alternativ e to resistance spot welding for plug and butt welds or due to limited access, the
problems caused by the presence of zinc coating are much the same, with the added complication of increased weld spatter
and nozzle contamination.
Body Fillers
Conventional polyester fillers do not adhere satisfactorily to zinc plated panels, it is ther efore important that only those
products specifically designed for this application are used and the manufacturer's recommendations are followed.
Refinishing
Use only those products approved by Jaguar Cars Ltd and exercise special care on zinc coated panels.
As replacement panels ar e supplied ready primed, the only bare metal that needs to be exposed are those areas prepared
for welding etc, as decribed in 'Welding Preparation. Where any part of a panel is dressed back to the bare surface, it should
be treated with a zinc rich primer compatible with the paint application system.
GENERAL PREPARATION OF PANELS
Removal of Panels and Welds
• NOTE: Where other components must be removed for access, refer to the relevant manual section for guidance. This is
particularly important where steerin g, braking, suspension, electrical and safety systems are affected.
Expose all resistance spot welds, using a ro tary wire brush fitted to an air drill or a hand held wire brush on those that are
not clearly visible (1).
WARNING: DO NOT BURN UNDERSEAL OFF. USE A 'HOT KNIFE' OR SUITABLE SOLVENT.
Cut out spot welds using a Zipcutter or Roto-Bor (2). At this point it may be necessary to cut out the bulk of the panel using
Installation
5. CAUTION: Ensure special tool 204-116-06 is correctly
aligned and does not contact the bush housing bore.
Remove bush from subframe.
1. Align the top of special tool 204-116-06 with the press-ram.
2. Operate press to remove bush.
6. Remove bush from special tool and discard bush.
7. Thoroughly clean the bush-housing bore.
1. Use a coarse grade emery cloth to roughen the bush-housing
bore, and mating surface of the bush.
2. Using an air line, remove residu al dust from bush and housing
mating surfaces.
3. Clean the bush-housing bore and bush with cleaning solvent
(SPB3 Solvent 30) or equivalent.
4. Invert suspension subframe.
5. Mark bush position on sub-frame.
1. Stretch a length of thin co rd across the center line of
each bush location.
2. Below the string, place two pieces of masking tape diametrically opposite on the bore periphery.
3. Mark string position on the masking tape.