Purpose.

This procedure shall be followed to allow for a part manufacturer’s ongoing control of appearance quality for production parts. Appearance quality pertains to aesthetic properties, specifically color and gloss for this document, to ensure harmony coordination (for interior trim components) as originally approved by the Appearance Approval Report (AAR). The concept of quality control (QC) for aesthetic properties is relevant to exterior trim as well as interior trim. This specification’s primary focus is for low gloss interior trim. This procedure defines the instrumental measurement criteria and documentation, as well as a procedure for working standards, required for a supplier of appearance parts to control appearance aesthetic quality.

The following functional areas support this procedure:

• GM Appearance Quality

• Supplier of the production part

• GM Supplier Quality groups

GM continues to specify color and gloss via a visual match to the appropriate master (such as the Primary Color Master, Primary Gloss Master, or Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) Master), as documented on the Color and Trim Design Appearance Release (CTDAR), Design Appearance Release (DAR), or referenced in the part math data file (or drawing).

Visual requirements are used to ensure the color harmony amongst the parts manufactured from different materials and processes is consistent. Parts evaluated using purely instruments may negatively affect the color harmony of the vehicle interiors.