Just got my new azure 'Paolo' who is great fun! I've noticed that a lot of spray and mud seems to get thrown up on to the boot (detracting from his good looks). Has anyone tried the add-on rear mudflaps? Would they help with this or do they just cut down spray for other motorists following in lesser vehicles?

Thanks

Hello and welcome. The mudflaps will help to keep the muck off the rear bumper but not much else. Its the aerodynamics of most modern hatches that they get dirty bottoms
Its front mudflaps I really want, to stop all the tar going up the sides!

Wellcome! I have a dark blue 500 and it gets very dirty bottom as well. Its a fact of life to spend every other weekend with a bucket and sponge if you have a 500 ...

Melanabb said:

Wellcome! I have a dark blue 500 and it gets very dirty bottom as well. Its a fact of life to spend every other weekend with a bucket and sponge if you have a 500 ...

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:nono:Gasp! I hope that you are ready for the barrage of helpful advice you will soon be receiving from afficiandos of the various car care/detailing sites.

Now that you mention it grimwau, what is the best way of cleaning ones 500? (apologies if theres a thread about this that I missed)

grimwau said:

:nono:Gasp! I hope that you are ready for the barrage of helpful advice you will soon be receiving from afficiandos of the various car care/detailing sites.

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Sorry to hijack the thread, but why not a sponge? Ive just bought a new one but haven't used it yet..................

Jodie Lee said:

Sorry to hijack the thread, but why not a sponge? Ive just bought a new one but haven't used it yet..................

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Because the dirt gets trapped and will scratch your paint work.

RobTuck said:

Now that you mention it grimwau, what is the best way of cleaning ones 500? (apologies if theres a thread about this that I missed)

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Pressure washer and snow foam lance.

j3bnl said:

Because the dirt gets trapped and will scratch your paint work.

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Fair enough

Theres a special offer on snow foam lances open to FF members on this thread :-
https://www.fiatforum.com/group-buys/162373-foam-lance-group-buy.html

Handy if you already have a pressure washer.

j3bnl said:

Pressure washer and snow foam lance.

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And if you dont have a pressure washer?

RobTuck said:

Now that you mention it grimwau, what is the best way of cleaning ones 500? (apologies if theres a thread about this that I missed)

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Rob, you'll never get anyone to agree on the best method/product to use as everyone has their favourite. I used to use the sponge and chamoix leather method for years until a couple of years ago when some people with a lot of knowledge on this matter put me straight.

There is an awful lot of good info (as well as interesting reading) on the car care thread in the miscellaneous section on the home page. I guarantee that after reading through just a few of the posts your attitude towards car cleaning will change forever and indeed, so will your bank balance if you get too carried away.

Personally, I have now used for the first time, a clay bar, sheepskin mitt, special drying cloth and am also experimenting with different (non abrasive) polishes and waxes.

One word of warning though, if you get drawn in to the dark art of "detailing" you will never be able to escape, it has been known to break up marriages.

Thanks grimwau, I'll have a read.

I have started buying some cleaning supplies for the car (I can highly recommend the speed and customer service from 'rubbish boys').
I have to be honest, I'm as lazy as it comes when car cleaning is concerned. I take my current car through ARC/IMO systems

However, the 500 wont be going anywhere near an ARC/IMO, or even the jetwash for that matter. Its all by hand from here!

Pressure washer is out of the question for me as I live in a 3rd floor apartment. The hose wont quite reach that far!

RobTuck said:

Pressure washer is out of the question for me as I live in a 3rd floor apartment.

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Rob, Can you park directly under your window? A bucket of water from 3 floors up should have quite a bit of force behind it.

RobTuck said:

And if you dont have a pressure washer?

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Lambs wool mit (Meguiars) and a couple of buckets of water. Get the grit guards (again Meguiars) for the bottom of the buckets prevents you lifting the crap back onto the mit and yes you've guessed it scratching the paint.:devil:

j3bnl said:

Lambs wool mit (Meguiars) and a couple of buckets of water. Get the grit guards (again Meguiars) for the bottom of the buckets prevents you lifting the crap back onto the mit and yes you've guessed it scratching the paint.:devil:

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Just bought a lamps wool mitt & a grit guard - whooo whoo go me :slayer:

Jodie Lee said:

Just bought a lamps wool mitt & a grit guard - whooo whoo go me :slayer:

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Clever you. Go straight to the top of the class!!

My foam lance arrived this morning, I can't wait to use it and see how it compares to the old bucket and sponge method !

Good news, you jump in for the group buy aswell?
I had intended to give mine a good try out this afternoon but its pissing down and showing no sign of going off.

j3bnl said:

Good news, you jump in for the group buy aswell?
I had intended to give mine a good try out this afternoon but its pissing down and showing no sign of going off.

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Yep, jumped in at the chance. Mark was really helpful !