exotica red colour fade

[TomK]

The front and rear bumpers on my car have faded really badly. The door handles and every other plastic part have faded too. was wondering if this has happened to anyone else and how they brought the colour back. Ive been to body shops and they have said the only way is a respray because of the laquer?

cheers

 

[Percyhahn]

arent gp's covered with a paint guarantee? take it to fiat, seee what they have to say about it

 

[TomK]

i read somewhere its only 3 years and mines an '06

 

[Percyhahn]

thats still really bad though, after maybe 7 years id expect a bit of fade, but 4 years is unacceptable. lodge a complaint with fiat about paint quality, blag it saying its put you off fiats, and will probably shop elsewhere next times...., you might get lucky

 

[jostheboss]

Mines the same - front bumper, rear bumper and door handles, and its also an '06 plate.

The door handles are the worst, they look pink!

Dont try anything too abrasive, it doesn't work!

It is unacceptable, considering mine was like it when I got it, in January, so when it was only 3 years old.

Sounds like we should be rallying the troops, unless anyone else has already tried?

 

[TomK]

ill post some pictures tomorow. the bumpers are really pink. Been quoted 160 quid per bumper for a respray.

 

[jostheboss]

Its odd, not like its more sunny in England than Italy and we have more problems.....not like the Mjet wheels with the UK salt......

 

[Percyhahn]

Its odd, not like its more sunny in England than Italy and we have more problems.....not like the Mjet wheels with the UK salt......

mjet wheels with uk salt? i have mjet wheels, this will be their second winter what am i to expect?

 

[Mozarella]

I had a red Citroen Zx once that turned pink and then eventually white. It looked appalling. Someone told me that red paint pigments are more prone to UV fade and since then I've never had a red car again.

That coloured wax polish from Halfrauds might help, but I feel your pain, and my doubts.

 

[wellfan]

I had a red Citroen Zx once that turned pink and then eventually white. It looked appalling. Someone told me that red paint pigments are more prone to UV fade and since then I've never had a red car again.

That coloured wax polish from Halfrauds might help, but I feel your pain, and my doubts.

Yes it would seem to be a 'red' problem. I have had similar problems with a VW Golf and a Vauxhal Corsa. Paint turned pink after a few years with both cars. A heavy polish may help, but I doubt it!

 

[TomK]

its strange though cus its only the bits that are plastic. Annoying!

 

[jostheboss]

mjet wheels with uk salt? i have mjet wheels, this will be their second winter what am i to expect?

The salt corrodes the diamond cut surfaces of the wheel and it starts to bubble/flake.... Its purely because the machined surface isn't treated.

 

[Percyhahn]

The salt corrodes the diamond cut surfaces of the wheel and it starts to bubble/flake.... Its purely because the machined surface isn't treated.

will warranty cover though?

 

[jostheboss]

Would have thought so, not sure.

 

[angeline1988]

my mjet wheels are in a state of lacquer peel, may be time to powder coat

 

[georgios1976]

Same here! my 06 Sporting plastic parts are fading, at least the bodywork is fine.

I have been advised by a mate who is panel beater that flat blue and red colours fade away a lot quicker than any other flat colour.

My diamond cut alloy wheels showd signs of corrosion when the car was only 12 months old and were replaced under warranty.

 

[Grandepuntoperson]

its strange though cus its only the bits that are plastic. Annoying!

AFAIK, manufacturer applied car paint has been water based for a few years now - presumably part of the environmental regulations - and to protect this paint a clear lacquer is used, and that should stop the UV fading the paint.

However, if the plastic bits are "self coloured", rather than painted (and lacquered)...

Door handles maybe, but I'm a bit surprised about the bumpers -I'd half have expected them to be painted to colour match with the rest of the car - but having said that the bumpers on my new white grande punto are a subtly different "shade" so maybe they are self coloured plastic (or it was bounced on the transporter ).

 

[TomK]

looks alot worse in real life.

 

[angeline1988]

just been looking at mine and the colour looks slighty different on bumper and bonnet, carribean orange 07

 

[Vance]

My door handles are the only part on my car, showing signs of pinking.