Our 1.2L has the 50/50 rear split seats, but the black metal backing is looking horrible with markings after about 18 months (and it hasn't had hard use either). I'm really unhappy with it, and am looking for solutions...

1) Replacement of the metal backs? Can't find a spare part online for this
2) Boot carpet covering

Are either of these feasible? Has anybody done them? I wish Fiat had carpeted the backs in the first place, or at least made it vaguely hard wearing!

No painted metal surface is going to be durable against physical damage.

However, it would be a simple matter to remove the upper rear seats, mask off as necessary and respray the painted back portion.

jrkitching said:

No painted metal surface is going to be durable against physical damage.

However, it would be a simple matter to remove the upper rear seats, mask off as necessary and respray the painted back portion.

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Bgunn did a job on his I remember by covering with vinyl I think, it was ages ago but if you have search it might pop up as it was a good guide. Whatever happened to Brian?

Maybe go to a car stereo shop (or even electronic components shop - Maplin?) and look for speaker box carpet. This comes in black or grey and the grey might be a good match for the boot carpet in the 500. Or not. I have noticed a large variation between individual cars - I think they use recycled fibres, so the colour is a bit variable.

But if you do find a match, speaker box carpet is easy to work with - can be trimmed and glued in place with spray contact adhesive (which will be sold at the same place as the carpet).

-Alex

Thanks all. Something needs to be done as it looks awful Respraying looks like the most simple option though.

An aerosol spray lays down a very thin coating of paint, and is not durable, so taking this route would be a short-term fix for a part that gets abrasion in normal use.
To me, covering with suitable automotive carpet would be a better solution, and as long as it is properly glued should last.

A carpet recovery would be the most in keeping with the rear. I have seen a few people on the forum do it, and was thinking of doing it myself but haven't got round to doing it myself.

I have used marine carpets to cover the walls and roof of my work van to reduce noise, keep it warmer/cooler and no scratching - worked really well!

Adzee said:

A carpet recovery would be the most in keeping with the rear. I have seen a few people on the forum do it, and was thinking of doing it myself but haven't got round to doing it myself.

I have used marine carpets to cover the walls and roof of my work van to reduce noise, keep it warmer/cooler and no scratching - worked really well!

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Issue with carpet is matching the OEM carpet on the boot floor

Yes but the boot flop is a floppy tiny piece of cardboard with "carpet" like feel to it. A replacement of that on some thin ply carpeted would be a better solution and cost little more - no more misfits...

From memory the member of the forum that did it had them slightly different but it's all about compromise. I wouldn't care because it's a boot and I'd be happy it was already done for me.

Another option is a spray on urethane truck bed liner, also available in spray cans.

I gave the back of my seats a blast with some satin black and looks much better now and hasn't really shown any marks since. I believe the paint fiat use is very cheap just to give it a very thin coat.

The problem with truck bed liner is its not easily available in the UK as not many people drive pick ups day to day, it's also unbelievably expensive here, a small kit is about £80-90 which is a bit OTT for the back of a car seat

Interesting. I assume you removed the seats and masked off the areas that you didn't want any paint on?