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Surface treatment

Surface treatment

Apart from giving the car an attractive appearance, the main purpose of the paint is to protect the body and other sheet metal parts from corrosion. The Saab 9-3 undergoes an extremely thorough surface treatment process during manufacture. All products used in this process are meticulously tested to ensure that they meet Saab Automobile AB's high standards of paint finish and corrosion protection.

The products in the surface treatment process are applied in different thicknesses, specified in the table below.

Product
Thickness, external
μm

Thickness, internal
μm

Phosphatizing

3-5

3-5

Primer (ED)

30

20-25

Intermediate coat

40-45

40-45

Top coat, base

13

10-12

Clear enamel

45

25



This Service Manual deals chiefly with the corrosion-protection properties of the paint. To avoid deterioration of the corrosion protection after a bodywork repair, it is important for repairs to be carried out in the manner and with the materials specified in this Service Manual.

The different products are applied during different stages of surface treatment. Refer to The surface treatment process .