Paint line workers at Chrysler Corp.'s Jeep plant were asked to stop using antiperspirant after the company discovered that falling flakes left costly blemishes on the new Jeeps.
Some 380 workers who wash, wipe and prepare Jeep Cherokees and Comanches to be painted were asked to stop using all antiperspirants and some deodorants that can flake.Chrysler said its investigation showed that antiperspirants worn by workers flaked and fell onto the new paint. Antiperspirants contain aluminum, chlorine and silicon, which can damage paint.
The paint flows away from the fallen flake, causing a visible depression the size of the tip of a baby's finger, the company said.
The company looked into the matter after officials noticed that every vehicle coming off line had 20 to 50 imperfections on the roof and hood. Such damage can be enough for an inspector to send a car back for thousands of dollars in repairs.
Chrysler would not say how much it has cost to the fix blemishes.
Even though the workers wear gloves, hair nets and coveralls, flakes escaped through clothing or fell out of sleeves or collars.