Hi, I'm buying a "new" Fiat made in 2008 to replace my old 2004 Punto, and my prime choice has weird damage to the paint. It looks like if someone sanded-off huge portion of paint of the RL door (see attachment).

The same paint damage is also on the lower right front bender (20x20cm), and small chunk around rear door lock and FL door handle.

It's not a reflection of clouds or whatever - it's "matte", not reflecting anything.

What could be the cause? I'm afraid not to buy something crashed and poorly repainted, or rusty beneath the paint... Should I steer away from this offer?

It could be an old repair that's suffered rapid sun damage.

Can’t really tell from the picture , but is it a metallic pain colour that has lost its lacquer?

panmyval said:

Hi, I'm buying a "new" Fiat made in 2008 to replace my old 2004 Punto, and my prime choice has weird damage to the paint. It looks like if someone sanded-off huge portion of paint of the RL door (see attachment).

The same paint damage is also on the lower right front bender (20x20cm), and small chunk around rear door lock and FL door handle.

It's not a reflection of clouds or whatever - it's "matte", not reflecting anything.

What could be the cause? I'm afraid not to buy something crashed and poorly repainted, or rusty beneath the paint... Should I steer away from this offer?

Click to expand...

2008..?

Looks like a mk2b..

I reckon that has been parked in the sun. Fiat reds and yellows were particularly prone to fading... as were, strangely, red Vx Corsas.

Yes, the top coat has just de-graded. Red cars from the late 1990's-2000s used water based paints and the technology wasn't great to start with. Alfa had to stop producing red cars for a while because of problems with their red.

The "fade" can probably be improved with a polish but more likely it's not going to ever be great unless you respray the affected panels.. although an 11 year old car probably doesn't justify the cost. If the metal is good and you can live with the "street" look... then the fade isn't a reason to not buy the car, if it's otherwise in good condition. You can buy a prettier car and then have mechanical problems that cost as much as a cheap paint job.


Ralf S.

Pinkification of red paint. Fiat are notorious for it.

Liquid Knight II said:

Pinkification of red paint. Fiat are notorious for it.

Click to expand...

All pastel red paint had the same issues around that time. "Fiat" paint is supplied by BASF or Dupont.. and everybody who makes cars in Europe gets their paint from the same firms.

You see pinkification on Fiat and Alfas since they make pastel red cars, whereas a lot of other firms (particularly those who only made bigger cars) don't.


Ralf S.

I followed that car the other day.