Buick Enclave: Exterior Care
Washing the Vehicle
To help preserve the vehicle's finish, wash it regularly and avoid washing it in direct sunlight. A shaded area allows soap and water to stay workable longer, which helps prevent streaks, water spotting, and dried cleaning residue on the paint.
For the Buick Enclave, routine exterior washing is more than a cosmetic habit. Road film, dust, salt, insects, tree sap, and industrial fallout can gradually dull the finish if they remain on the surface for too long. A careful wash helps protect the paint, trim, lamps, glass, and exterior details from premature wear.
Notice: Do not use petroleum based, acidic, or abrasive cleaning agents as they can damage the vehicle's paint, metal, or plastic parts. If damage occurs, it would not be covered by the vehicle's warranty.
Approved cleaning products can be obtained from your dealer. Follow all manufacturer directions regarding correct product usage, necessary safety precautions, and appropriate disposal of any vehicle care product.
Choose cleaning products made for automotive finishes. Harsh household cleaners, strong degreasers, rough compounds, and acidic products can stain trim, fade plastic, strip protective coatings, or leave marks in the clearcoat. Before using any new product, read the label and make sure it is suitable for painted automotive surfaces.
Notice: Avoid using high pressure washes closer than 30 cm (12 in) to the surface of the vehicle. Use of power washers exceeding 8,274 kPa (1,200 psi) can result in damage or removal of paint and decals.
When using a pressure washer, keep the spray moving and do not hold the nozzle close to emblems, decals, weatherstrips, parking sensors, lamp edges, or painted panel gaps. A narrow high-pressure stream can lift loose paint, force water into seals, or damage delicate exterior parts.
Rinse the vehicle well before washing and again after washing to remove all cleaning agents completely. A full rinse before applying soap helps float away loose grit that could scratch the surface during hand washing.
If soap or cleaner is allowed to dry on the surface, it can leave stains or dull areas. Work one section at a time, especially in warm weather, and rinse thoroughly before moving on.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean chamois or an all-cotton towel to avoid surface scratches and water spotting. Use light pressure and turn the towel frequently so any trapped grit is not dragged across the paint.
Finish Care
Occasional hand waxing or mild polishing should be done to remove residue from the paint finish and help maintain gloss. Wax can also add a protective layer against light contamination, rain, road grime, and sun exposure.
See your dealer for approved cleaning products.
Notice: Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish may damage it. Use only non-abrasive waxes and polishes that are made for a basecoat/ clearcoat paint finish on the vehicle.
Modern clearcoat finishes can be damaged by aggressive polishing, especially if the wrong pad, machine speed, or compound is used. If the paint has heavy oxidation, deep scratches, or stubborn stains, professional detailing may be safer than repeated hard polishing by hand.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird droppings, and chemicals from industrial chimneys can damage the vehicle's finish if they remain on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible.
Bird droppings, sap, and road tar should be removed gently rather than scraped. Let the cleaner soften the material first, then wipe with a soft cloth. Scrubbing a dry deposit can leave fine scratches in the clearcoat.
If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
To keep the paint finish looking new, keep the vehicle garaged or covered whenever possible. A garage or breathable vehicle cover can reduce sun exposure, tree sap, bird droppings, dust buildup, and weather-related wear on the Buick Enclave exterior.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Parts
Regularly clean bright metal parts with water or chrome polish on chrome or stainless steel trim, if necessary. These areas can collect road film and water spots, so gentle cleaning helps maintain their shine without scratching the surface.
For aluminum, never use auto or chrome polish, steam, or caustic soap to clean. Aluminum trim can react differently than chrome or stainless steel, and the wrong cleaner may stain or discolor the finish.
A coating of wax, rubbed to a high polish, is recommended for all bright metal parts. Apply it lightly and buff it clean so no residue remains around edges, seams, or textured areas.
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses and Emblems
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth, and a car washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses.
Exterior lamp lenses and emblems can scratch more easily than painted metal panels. Avoid dry wiping, abrasive pads, strong solvents, or harsh chemicals. If bugs or road film are stuck to the lamps, soak the area with car wash soap and water before wiping.
Follow instructions under "Washing the Vehicle" later in this section.
Clean lamps help maintain the appearance of the vehicle and support good visibility at night. Clear lenses allow headlamps, taillamps, turn signals, and marker lamps to perform as intended.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield with glass cleaner.
Clean rubber blades using a lint-free cloth or paper towel soaked with windshield washer fluid or a mild detergent. Wash the windshield thoroughly when cleaning the blades. Bugs, road grime, sap, and buildup from vehicle wash or wax treatments may cause wiper streaking.
When wiping the blade edge, hold the wiper arm gently and clean along the rubber insert rather than pulling it sideways. A dirty blade can smear even if the rubber is still in good condition.
Replace the wiper blades if they are worn or damaged. Damage can be caused by extreme dusty conditions, sand, salt, heat, sun, snow, and ice.
If the wipers chatter, skip, leave lines, or fail to clear the windshield evenly, the blades should be inspected. On the Buick Enclave, clean glass and good wiper blades are especially important during rain, snow, road spray, and night driving.
Weatherstrips
Apply silicone grease on weatherstrips to make them last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.
Weatherstrips around the doors, liftgate, and glass openings help reduce wind noise and keep water out of the cabin. Clean them gently before applying silicone grease so dirt is not trapped against the rubber.
Use only a light coating. Too much product can attract dust or transfer to nearby trim. Properly maintained weatherstrips help the Buick Enclave remain quieter, drier, and more comfortable in changing weather conditions.
Tires
Use a stiff brush with tire cleaner to clean the tires. Work around the sidewall and tread edges carefully, especially where road grime, brake dust, mud, or salt residue tends to collect. Rinse the tires thoroughly after cleaning so the cleaner does not dry on the rubber.
For the Buick Enclave, keeping the tires clean is not only about appearance. Built-up dirt and road chemicals can make it harder to inspect the tire sidewalls for cuts, cracks, bulges, uneven wear, or embedded objects. Clean tires also make pressure checks and routine visual inspections easier.
Notice: Using petroleum-based tire dressing products on the vehicle may damage the paint finish and/or tires. When applying a tire dressing, always wipe off any overspray from all painted surfaces on the vehicle.
If a tire dressing is used, apply it sparingly and keep it on the tire only. Do not spray it toward painted panels, wheels, brake parts, or plastic trim. Wipe away overspray right away with a soft cloth before it dries or leaves a mark.
Avoid heavy, greasy coatings that sling onto the body while driving. A clean, even application looks better and is less likely to attract dirt or contaminate nearby surfaces.
Wheels and Trim—Aluminum or Chrome
Use a soft, clean cloth with mild soap and water to clean the wheels.
After rinsing thoroughly with clean water, dry with a soft, clean towel.
► Wax may then be applied.
Keep the wheels clean using a soft, clean cloth with mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft, clean towel. A wax may then be applied.
Wheel surfaces can collect brake dust, road salt, tar, and fine grit. Wash them before the residue has time to harden. Use a separate cloth or wash mitt for the wheels so brake dust is not carried onto the painted body panels.
On Buick Enclave aluminum or chrome wheels, gentle cleaning is the safer approach. Start with water and mild soap, then use approved wheel cleaners only when needed. Do not scrub with rough brushes or abrasive pads, because they can leave visible marks on polished, coated, or plated surfaces.
Notice: Chrome wheels and other chrome trim may be damaged if the vehicle is not washed after driving on roads that have been sprayed with magnesium, calcium, or sodium chloride.
These chlorides are used on roads for conditions such as ice and dust. Always wash the chrome with soap and water after exposure.
Road-treatment chemicals can cling to the wheel finish and bright trim, especially during winter or in dusty areas where chloride products are used. Rinse the lower body, wheel openings, wheels, and trim after exposure so the residue does not sit on the surface for days.
Notice: To avoid surface damage, do not use strong soaps, chemicals, abrasive polishes, cleaners, brushes, or cleaners that contain acid on aluminum or chrome-plated wheels. Use only approved cleaners. Also, never drive a vehicle with aluminum or chrome-plated wheels through an automatic car wash that uses silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes. Damage could occur and the repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Strong chemicals and harsh brushes can stain, dull, scratch, or remove protective coatings from aluminum and chrome-plated wheels. If the wheel finish is hot from driving or direct sunlight, allow it to cool before washing. Cleaner can dry too quickly on a hot surface and may leave spots or discoloration.
Steering, Suspension, and Chassis Components
Visually inspect the front and rear suspension and steering system for damaged, loose, or missing parts or signs of wear. Inspect power steering lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, or other visible damage.
Visually check constant velocity joints, rubber boots, and axle seals for leaks.
During cleaning or routine maintenance, look underneath the vehicle for anything that appears unusual: torn rubber boots, wet areas around seals, bent brackets, loose fasteners, or parts hanging lower than normal. Catching these signs early can help prevent larger repairs later.
For the Buick Enclave, steering and suspension condition directly affects ride comfort, tire wear, braking stability, and handling. If clunks, vibration, pulling, fluid leaks, or uneven tire wear are noticed, the vehicle should be inspected by a qualified technician.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders, hood hinges, liftgate hinges, and the steel fuel door hinge unless the components are plastic. Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips with a clean cloth will help them last longer, seal better, and resist sticking or squeaking.
Use only the recommended lubricant for each area. A small amount applied in the right place is better than heavy buildup that attracts dirt. After lubricating hinges or latch areas, wipe away excess material so it does not drip onto painted surfaces or collect dust.
Weatherstrips should be clean before silicone grease is applied. Wipe away dirt first, then apply a light coating along the rubber. This helps the doors and liftgate close smoothly and reduces sticking in cold or wet weather.
Underbody Maintenance
Use plain water to flush dirt and debris from the vehicle's underbody.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can do this. If not removed, rust and corrosion can develop.
The underbody is exposed to water, mud, gravel dust, salt, and road chemicals. These materials often collect around seams, brackets, suspension mounting points, wheel wells, and lower panels. A thorough rinse helps remove trapped residue before it can hold moisture against metal surfaces.
After winter driving, beach roads, muddy roads, or long trips in heavy road spray, underbody rinsing is especially useful. Do not aim high-pressure water directly at electrical connectors, seals, or vulnerable components from very close range.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop applies anti-corrosion material to parts repaired or replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Original manufacturer replacement parts will provide the corrosion protection while maintaining the vehicle warranty.
When a body panel is repaired, cut, welded, or replaced, factory corrosion protection can be disturbed. Proper refinishing should include primer, seam sealing, coatings, and corrosion protection where needed. This is especially important around lower panels, doors, wheel openings, and areas exposed to road spray.
Using quality replacement parts and correct repair procedures helps preserve the structure, finish, and long-term value of the Buick Enclave.
Finish Damage
Quickly repair minor chips and scratches with touch-up materials available from your dealer to avoid corrosion. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected in your dealer's body and paint shop.
Small paint chips may look minor, but if bare metal is exposed, moisture and salt can begin corrosion. Clean the area before applying touch-up material, and follow the product instructions carefully for drying time and layering.
Deep scratches, peeling clearcoat, dents with cracked paint, or damage near panel edges should be handled professionally. A proper repair helps match the finish and restores protection rather than simply covering the damage.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Airborne pollutants can fall upon and attack painted vehicle surfaces, causing blotchy, ring-shaped discolorations and small, irregular dark spots etched into the paint surface.
These marks can come from industrial fallout, acid rain, tree contamination, road chemicals, or other airborne deposits. Washing the vehicle regularly helps reduce the amount of time these materials remain on the paint.
If spotting is noticed on the Buick Enclave exterior, use only non-abrasive products made for automotive paint. Do not scrape or polish aggressively. If the marks appear etched into the clearcoat, professional inspection may be needed to determine the safest correction method.
