DBunX
New member
2013 Fiat 500 - Crossover Black - Paint Care issues and questions
Good afternoon,
I've got a few questions regarding my fairly new but poorly 500. It's a new TA 500 S in Crossover Black, with gloss black 16" alloys. As it was nice and shiny and I've not had a new car before I wanted to keep it as nice as possible so I caved and got the GardX cover as well, which so far has been doing an awesome job of keeping the rain and other bits off.
The problem I'm having is that I'm picking up chips (on the bonnet especially, where you can see the white base underneath) and scratches at regular intervals as the paint appears to be super soft.
I've got a few options here; the official Fiat touch up pen stick, the Halfords scratch repair kit or ChipEx (which I have used once and was a perfect match for the paint) so I'm erring on the side of ChipEx atm. Is this an ok course of action for my paint type?
Fixing the main chips and scratches is covered by the above mostly, however I have an epic swirl-scratch patch (about 2" high and wide) were I used an older sponge to remove some bird crap and sap and I really need to get that sorted as it looks horrible.
This leads me on to the main point of my post: How do I go about fixing that swirl without removing too much top coat and taking off the GardX cover with it?
I assume to fix the swirl I'm going to need to take of enough of the top cover and taking off the GardX can't be helped. I still have the kit that came with it so can re-apply the conditioner/re-wash it etc. as needed or get the stuff from ebay.
After the chips/scratches and swirls have been resolved, I want to get it looking as good as possible within my means and skill level, so I've been looking at the polish/wax and assorted other things you can do. I know that due to the GardX cover some of these are not suitable and will strip it off, however I have heard that you can use products over the top and was wondering if anyone has any advice to offer in this area. I'm not into super detailing or clay bar stuff, so a decent gloss top or something similar might be useful.
Good afternoon,
I've got a few questions regarding my fairly new but poorly 500. It's a new TA 500 S in Crossover Black, with gloss black 16" alloys. As it was nice and shiny and I've not had a new car before I wanted to keep it as nice as possible so I caved and got the GardX cover as well, which so far has been doing an awesome job of keeping the rain and other bits off.
The problem I'm having is that I'm picking up chips (on the bonnet especially, where you can see the white base underneath) and scratches at regular intervals as the paint appears to be super soft.
I've got a few options here; the official Fiat touch up pen stick, the Halfords scratch repair kit or ChipEx (which I have used once and was a perfect match for the paint) so I'm erring on the side of ChipEx atm. Is this an ok course of action for my paint type?
Fixing the main chips and scratches is covered by the above mostly, however I have an epic swirl-scratch patch (about 2" high and wide) were I used an older sponge to remove some bird crap and sap and I really need to get that sorted as it looks horrible.
This leads me on to the main point of my post: How do I go about fixing that swirl without removing too much top coat and taking off the GardX cover with it?
I assume to fix the swirl I'm going to need to take of enough of the top cover and taking off the GardX can't be helped. I still have the kit that came with it so can re-apply the conditioner/re-wash it etc. as needed or get the stuff from ebay.
After the chips/scratches and swirls have been resolved, I want to get it looking as good as possible within my means and skill level, so I've been looking at the polish/wax and assorted other things you can do. I know that due to the GardX cover some of these are not suitable and will strip it off, however I have heard that you can use products over the top and was wondering if anyone has any advice to offer in this area. I'm not into super detailing or clay bar stuff, so a decent gloss top or something similar might be useful.
