WORLDWIDE Material Specification
ENGINEERING
Finish
STANDARDS
Organic Coating Performance for Underhood and Underbody
Components
1 Scope
1.1 Material Description. This standard gives
performance requirements for organic coat finishes
on the surfaces of underhood and underbody
components. It also gives opportunity to specify the
type of coating material to be used.
1.2 Symbols. Not applicable.
1.3 Typical Applications. These coatings are
typically used on chassis components, as well as
other underhood and underbody components.
1.4 Remarks. This specification applies in two
different ways. Either it can be used for paint
materials that have been approved to other
appropriate GM specifications (e.g., 998XXXX;
these materials will show as APPROVED in the
GM MATSPC database), or it is applicable for
materials that have not been approved by GM.
Depending on the material qualification status, the
X’s in Table A1 indicate the tests to be performed.
The usage of non-approved paint materials is only
permitted through the calendar year 2011.
Seven “types” of paint are covered by this
specification: Types A and B are both cathodic
e-coats in two different thickness ranges. Type C is
dip primer other than cathodic e-coat. Type D is
powder coating. If Type E is specified, the
applicator is free to choose Type A, B, C, or D, but
they must stay with this choice. Type F is to be
further specified on the drawing using notes or a
paint material specification. Type G is solvent or
water-based spray-applied paint.
2 References
Note: Only the latest approved standards are
applicable unless otherwise specified.
2.1 External Standards/Specifications.
None
2.2 GM Standards/Specifications.
9984120 GMW14700
9984123 GMW14729
EMS 9309574 GMW14829
GM6094M GMW14872
© Copyright 2009 General Motors Corporation All Rights Reserved
May 2009 Originating Department: North American Engineering Standards
GMW14671
GME L0004 GMW15282
GMW3001 GMW15357
GMW3059 GMW15487
GMW3286 GMW15891
GMW14333
2.3 Additional References. Not applicable.
3 Requirements
3.1 Requirements on Test Specimens. Not
applicable.
3.2 General.
3.2.1 Coatings shall be free of Chrome VI.
3.2.2 Chrome VI used as an adhesion promoter is
impermissible.
3.2.3 Post-treatment, if performed, shall be
Chrome VI free.
3.3 Coating Thickness. If parts have cavities that
are prone to corrosion (e.g., cradle), a coating type
must be selected which is able to protect the cavity
areas with a minimum coating thickness of 10 m.
Types A, B, and C are usually chosen for this type
of application, or Type F is called out along with a
specific paint material specification.
3.3.1 Type A. Cathodic e-coat, coating thickness:
16 to 22 m.
3.3.2 Type B. Cathodic e-coat, coating thickness:
23 to 35 m.
3.3.3 Type C. Dip primer (except cathodic e-coat),
coating thickness: ≥ 30 m.
3.3.4 Type D. Powder coating, coating thickness:
≥ 40 m.
3.3.5 Type E. Coating thickness to be as specified
for Type A, B, C or D, whichever has been chosen
for the application.
3.3.6 Type F. For this type the thickness shall be
defined on the drawing or in the specified paint
material standard.
3.3.7 Type G. Spray paint (e.g., electrostatic
application of solvent based paints or water based
paints). Coating thickness: ≥ 40 m.
3.4 Cross Hatch Test. Paint adhesion shall be
tested according to GMW14829 – Rating 0 or 1 at
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GM WORLDWIDE ENGINEERING STANDARDS GMW14671

delivery conditions and after high humidity
exposure (see 3.6).
For Types C and F paints that are cured at 115°C
or less on components which are exposed to
service conditions in excess of 80°C: Parts shall be
exposed for 120 ± 5 h in a drying oven at
+120 ± 3°C before conducting the Cross Hatch
Test.
3.5 Corrosion Testing.
3.5.1 Cyclic Corrosion Test. See Table 1 for the
testing criteria for parts by location on the vehicle.
After exposure to cyclic corrosion testing per
GMW14872, the parts shall have a corrosion rating
of 8 or better per the GM Engineering Corrosion
Standards Rating Scale per GMW15357. Part
performance records shall be kept for reference
and be available for review. Records shall indicate
the part performance and the coupon mass loss at
regular intervals (i.e., 5 cycles and 10 cycles).
Remark: Cyclic Corrosion Test must be done for
Production Part Approval Process (PPAP).
Exemption can be granted only by the responsible
GM Regional Materials Engineer if non-approved
paint materials will be used.
3.5.2 Salt Spray Fog Test (see Table A1). To be
also performed if non-approved paint materials will
be used and is then part of PPAP.
The salt spray fog test may continue to be used as
part of a development program when directed by
GM Materials Engineering.
Parts shall be exposed to salt spray fog per
GMW3286 for 336 h.
There shall be no corrosion (except along scribe
lines), blisters or any change of surface. Total
corrosion creepback according to GMW15282 shall
be 3 mm maximum (e.g., bare steel). The
evaluation of the creepback can be realized by
blowing with compressed air or by using adhesive
tape. Slight rust is permitted but shall not exceed
20% of the length of exposed edges.
The following deviation for Painted Parts having
Zinc and Zinc Alloy Coated Substrates:
Salt spray fog test for 240 h according to
GMW3286. Testing has to be done without a
scribe line. No corrosion or any change of surface
is allowed. Slight white corrosion is permitted at
edges, but shall not exceed 20% of the length of
edges. Red rust shall not exceed 5% of the length
of edges. Creep Corrosion within 8 mm from edges
is permitted and shall be a maximum of one-third
of the painted surface.
3.6 Resistance to High Humidity Environment.
Painted parts shall be exposed for 144 h to a high
humidity environment according to GMW14729
with no evidence of blistering or any other change
of appearance.

Note 1
Table 1: Testing Criteria
Test Class Suffix U/H U/B
Location Underhood Underbody
Gravelometer then N/A Expose parts in Gravelometer per
Cyclic Corrosion GMW14700 Method C, then expose
(GMW14700 Method C the same parts in Cyclic Corrosion per
and GMW14872) GMW14872, UB, All, 4s, Method
SH/SM, Exposure A.
Cyclic Corrosion and Scribe parts per GMW15282, then N/A
Corrosion Creepback expose the same parts in Cyclic
(GMW14872 and Corrosion per GMW14872, UH, All, 4s,
.
GMW15282) Method SH/SM, Exposure B. Evaluate
Note 2
creepback per GMW15282 .
Note 1: The Testing Criteria will be indicated by the Test Class Suffix (for example, GMW14671 – F-U/B). When the Test Class Suffix is
not indicated (for example, GMW14671 – F), the Testing Criteria will be based on the part’s location on the vehicle per the following:
Underhood Parts: Cyclic Corrosion and Corrosion Creepback per U/H Underhood column in Table 1.
Underbody Parts: Gravelometer then Cyclic Corrosion per U/B Underbody column in Table 1.
Note 2: Maximum allowable creepback per GMW15282 is 6 mm on bare steel and cast iron substrates and 3 mm on all other substrates.

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GM WORLDWIDE ENGINEERING STANDARDS GMW14671

3.7 Stone Impact Resistance. Test to 6 Approved Sources

GMW14700, Method C. Chip size rating shall be 7
Not applicable (see Table A1).
minimum. Only chips to substrate will be rated.
Chip frequency shall be a maximum of High. The
test piece wherever possible shall be the finished 7 Notes
part. If this is impracticable, the test shall be 7.1 Glossary.
conducted on samples cut from the finished part, PPAP Production Part Approval Process
or, if necessary, specially prepared organic coated
U/B Underbody
test panels with equal substrate and painting
material. U/H Underhood
3.8 Cure. There shall be a rating of 0 or 1 after the 7.2 Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Symbols. Not
cure test per GMW15891. applicable.
3.9 Resistance of the Coating to Oil, Fuel,
Battery Acid and Abrasion. If parts may be 8 Coding System
subject to abrasion or have contact with oil, fuel or This standard shall be referenced in other
battery acid, parts shall be tested according to documents, drawings, etc., as follows:
3.9.1, 3.9.2, 3.9.3, or 3.9.4. The necessity of one of Examples:
these tests shall be defined on the drawing, using
1. “PAINTED BLACK. PERFORMANCE TO
a suffix Z (see second example in Section 8).
GMW14671 – B-U/B” is for cathodic e-coat
3.9.1 Oil Resistance. The test piece shall be 23 to 35 m thick, on an underbody component.
immersed in engine oil (e.g., GME L0004,
GM6094M or EMS 9309574) and then exposed for 2. “PAINTED BLACK. PERFORMANCE TO
24 ± 5 h in a drying oven at +100 ± 3°C. GMW14671 – D-U/H, Z. Z = RESISTANCE TO
BATTERY ACID” is for a powder coated
After cooling to +23 ± 5°C, the paint film shall show component underhood that may come into contact
no separation or softening. with battery acid.
3.9.2 Fuel Resistance. Fuel resistance shall be 3. “PRETREAT PER 9984123, AND E-COAT PER
determined according to GMW14333 – A – 9984120. PERFORMANCE PER GMW14671 –
Rating 2. F-U/B” is for an underbody component that is
3.9.3 Resistance to Battery Acid. Drops of a pretreated using materials that have been
solution of sulfuric acid, 38% by mass (solution approved to 9984123 and e-coated using materials
corresponds to battery acid) shall be placed on test that are approved to 9984120.
parts. Then parts shall be stored in a vessel for
24 h at +23 ± 5°C. After the test, the parts shall be 9 Release and Revisions
cleaned by distilled water. There shall be no visible
9.1 Release. This standard originated in OCT 2005
changes caused by the direct effect of battery acid.
replacing GME 00201, the underhood and
3.9.4 Abrasion Resistance. Test abrasion underbody portions of GM4350M, and HN 2194 –
resistance according to GMW15487 – 0.7 L/m class B336. It was first approved by Global
minimum. Materials Team in MAY 2007. It was first published
in AUG 2007.
4 Manufacturing Process 9.2 Revisions.
Not applicable.
Approval
Rev Description (Organization)
Date
5 Rules and Regulations
5.1 All materials supplied to this standard must A May 2009 Total reformat into GMW
comply with the requirements of GMW3001, Rules Material Specification
and Regulations for Material Specifications. template. Revised 1.4, 2.1,
2.2, 3.3, 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 3.3.5,
5.2 All materials supplied to this standard must 3.4, 3.5, 3.5.1, 3.5.2, 3.7, 3.8,
comply with the requirements of GMW3059, 3.9, 3.9.1, 3.9.2, 3.9.3, 3.9.4,
Restricted and Reportable Substances for 7.1, 8, 9.1, Table 1. Added
Parts. 3.1 and Table A1. (Global
Finishes & Coatings Team)

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GM WORLDWIDE ENGINEERING STANDARDS GMW14671

Appendix A
Table A1: Required Tests for Approved (e.g., 998XXXX) and Non-Approved Materials
Note 1
Required Tests Approved Material Non-Approved Material
3.4 Cross Hatch Test X X
3.5.1 Cyclic Corrosion Test X X
3.5.2 Salt Spray Fog Test X
3.6 Resistance to High Humidity Environment X X
3.7 Stone Impact Resistance X X
3.8 Cure X X
3.9.1 Oil Resistance See Suffix Z See Suffix Z
3.9.2 Fuel Resistance See Suffix Z See Suffix Z
3.9.3 Resistance to Batter Acid See Suffix Z See Suffix Z
3.9.4 Abrasion Resistance See Suffix Z X
Note 1: GM-approved material, as listed in MATSPC.

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