Fiat 124 SPIDER ABARTH 2017 User Manual page 205

Bird droppings can be removed with a
soft sponge and water. If you are
travelling and these are not available, a
moistened tissue may also take care of
the problem. The cleaned area should
be waxed according to the instructions
in this section. Insects and tree sap are
best removed with a soft sponge and
water or a commercially available
chemical cleaner.
Another method is to cover the affected
area with dampened newspaper for one
to two hours. After removing the
newspaper, rinse off the loosened
debris with water.
Water marks
Problem:
Rain, fog, dew, and even tap water can
contain harmful minerals such as salt and
lime. If moisture containing these
minerals settles on the vehicle and
evaporates, the minerals will concentrate
and harden to form white rings. The rings
can damage your vehicle's finish.
Prevention:
It is necessary to wash and wax your
vehicle to preserve its finish according
to the instructions in this section. These
steps should be taken immediately after
you find water marks on your vehicle's
finish.
Paint chipping
Problem:
Paint chipping occurs when gravel
thrown in the air by another vehicle's
tires hits your vehicle.
How to avoid paint chipping:
Keeping a safe distance between you
and the vehicle ahead reduces the
chances of having your paint chipped
by flying gravel.
Note:
The paint chipping zone varies with
the speed of the vehicle. For example,
when travelling at 55 mph (90 km/h), the
paint chipping zone is 164 ft (50 m).
In low temperatures, a vehicle's
finish hardens. This increases the
chance of paint chipping.
Chipped paint can lead to rust
forming on your vehicle. Before this
happens, repair the damage by using
FCA touch-up paint according to the
instructions in this section. Failure to
repair the affected area could lead to
serious rusting and expensive repairs.
Follow all label and container directions
when using a chemical cleaner or
polish. Read all warnings and cautions.
Maintaining The Finish
Washing
To help protect the finish from rust and
deterioration, wash your vehicle
thoroughly and frequently, at least once
a month, with lukewarm or cold water.
If the vehicle is washed improperly, the
paint surface could be scratched. Here
are some examples of how scratching
could occur:
The vehicle is washed without first
rinsing off dirt and other foreign matter.
The vehicle is washed with a rough,
dry, or dirty cloth.
The vehicle is washed at a car wash
that uses brushes that are dirty or too
stiff.
Cleansers or wax containing
abrasives are used.
Note:
FCA is not responsible for scratches
caused by automatic car washes or
improper washing. Scratches are more
noticeable on vehicles with darker paint
finishes.
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