A recently updated GM technical service bulletin includes the 2011 through 2024 Cadillac Escalade luxury SUV, along with various Chevy and GMC trucks, affected by an issue where incorrectly applied wax coating peels off the frame.
If the wax coating peels off the frame of a Cadillac Escalade vehicle, it will expose the bare metal underneath, leading to rust and corrosion as the unprotected surface is exposed to water, salt, and other road and automotive chemicals and weather effects. The images in the article show the appearance of this problem on various GM trucks and vans, though not specifically on the Cadillac Escalade.
Updated service bulletin number 19-NA-255, first released in November 2019, notes that the wax coating will peel off in patches or sections rather than over the entire frame. Surface rust will develop on the exposed metal first, though if the issue is left unrepaired, the rust may eat deeper in to the bare metal and damage its structural integrity.
A third-party manufacturer producing the vehicle frames, including those for the Cadillac Escalade, made an error in manufacturing leading to the issue. Specifically, GM believes the supplier did not prep the bare metal properly before building and shipping the frames, leading to poor adhesion of the wax coating and the current peeling.
A fix for the defect’s effects is now available at GM dealerships.
Mechanics in the dealer service department can remedy the wax peeling through removal and replacement. The procedure removes the remaining wax and the surface rust from the site of peeling, followed by application of a new coating. The fix is applied only to the actual peeling areas and closely adjacent coating, and is meant to provide a factory look.
Lloyds and Daubert metal cleaning and coating products are recommended by The General as those providing the best results with the wax coating and metal used on the Cadillac Escalade frame. After lifting or jacking up the SUV service personnel should strip loose wax coating, clean the surface and apply metal prep, and finish the job with several coats of Lloyds Kryptonite Metal Treatment High Temp Satin Black.
GM requires service personnel to inspect the frame closely. If the rust extends beyond surface oxidation to eat deeply into the frame part and weaken it, removal and replacement of the entire damaged frame component is necessary.
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Comment
Guess I’ll have to check my 2019 Yukon’s frame? Such a simple procedure and yet GM hires a bunch of monkeys to screw it up!!! Come on Man!