Maybe this is a crazy idea but what about using campershell tape (or some other kind of one-sided tape with foam) instead of washers? The foam would compress and be invisible but still prevent the bumper and fender from rubbing. I don't have my fit yet (tomorrow!) but I would imagine the washers would eventually just fall out from road vibrations. Just a thought...
Well if the washers fall out with screws going thru them I think there are bigger problems.
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07 FIT Taffeta White, 5sp M/T Sport
The only permanent solution to stop the paint from peeling is buy some 3m clear paint protection in bulk and cut and applied it to all four corners where the front and rear bumpers meets the fenders. This only work for those people whose car doesn't began to peel yet. I just got the car less than 3 weeks ago and less than 2k miles on the ODO so far so good. But this is a known problem and Honda does cheap out on the paint. No primer and they spray it straight over the bumper possibly the entire car is done the same way. I would recommend the 3m paint protection kits applied over the front bumper, hood fenders front lower lip and mirrors. It is costly but money well spent. let me tell you if there is no protection to the front in no time you will see chips all over the fronts and it will look nasty. Repaint will cost if not as much. Once chip you can see dark spots on the paint and you can tell it has no primer.
What color Fits seem to be peeling. I just inspected my BOM (Blazing Orange Metallic) and everything seems to be fine!
I think it's all of them to some extent. Mine did it and they repainted the bumper. Look at the seam above all 4 tires where the bumper meets the body like has been shown in lots of pics in this thread.
If you see what appears to be some excess paint and it feels a little rubbery then yours will probably do it sooner or later.
If it feels good and solid you can do the washer fix which is simply taking the screw out at those points and sliding a washer in there and putting the screw back in making the screw go thru the washer to give it a little gap.
I used #10 washers from Home Depot but plastic washers would be ideal. I'll change mine later to plastic.
When we get an Alabama meet together I'll bring some washers if you haven't done it yourself by then.
It's real simple and only takes a few minutes. You can feel the screws in the wheel well right where the bumper and body panels meet. A phillips screwdriver, 4 washers and a drivers license or credit card to push them in is all you need. Be careful not to scratch the paint, that's why I said use a plastic card to push them in.
Congrats again on your BOM FIT. How do you like it so far? Did you make the front plate yet?
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07 FIT Taffeta White, 5sp M/T Sport
Where is there a picture of the bolts that need to be replaced? I want to do this asap
The very first post in this thread shows where the bumper and body panels meet above the tire. Paint Peeling from Front Bumper It's right there under where they join above the tires.
There are no "bolts" to replace. You just remove the screw that holds the bumper and body panel together and insert a washer then put the screw back in. Once you remove the screw you can move the edge of the "bumper easily" by hand it's flexable.
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07 FIT Taffeta White, 5sp M/T Sport
2hot6ft2, I have carefully inspected my car and everything seems to be fine. I don't find any areas where there is any access paint, but will keep an eye on it. I love my BOM Fit. Just had the windows tinted Wednesday, got my floor mats on Thursday, and ordered my tag, which should be here in 2 weeks.
Here is a pic of it!
If anyone wants to see a pic of it it's on page three of the BOM Club
2hot6ft2, I have carefully inspected my car and everything seems to be fine. I don't find any areas where there is any access paint, but will keep an eye on it. I love my BOM Fit. Just had the windows tinted Wednesday, got my floor mats on Thursday, and ordered my tag, which should be here in 2 weeks.
Here is a pic of it!
If anyone wants to see a pic of it it's on page three of the BOM Club
cashondeb, glad to hear it. Honda has had plenty of time to fix the paint issue so it shouldn't show up on yours. LOL is that how it's going to look " "... I see you decided to keep the plate you showed in the other thread.
Looks good. One thing you may want to consider is a clear bra for it to help keep it from getting chipped up. The paint they use these days is real easy to chip. If you keep an eye on the front bumper and lower hood you'll start seeing little nicks and chips.
There are several brands to choose from. On a BOM Fit I would go with the 3M since it's barely noticable (very clear). Also LampGuard for those great big headlights and the fog lights.
Here's a link to a local installer for the 3M for you Find a Professional Installer I was going to give you a link to the LampGuard product but I don't see it on their site anymore for the Fit, it was at http://www.weathertech.com.
Oh well I tried.
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07 FIT Taffeta White, 5sp M/T Sport
I went thru this forum after talking to my salesman at Honda in Alabama (he has not heard anything about this), he asked me where most were from, and I said some North, some along the beach area. He asked me if it could be Salt? Snow in the North, salt the roads.....around oceans, salt? Possbility? Just trying to help! But he did say that if I should notice anything, to call him and he'll take care of it, and today, I've noticed something, my windshield....I have spots all over and I can't seem to get them out! When I washed my car, I noticed my windshield had some spots, but after I was done and towel dried, I have spots that won't come out. Even tried window cleaner, no, and tried scrapping with a razor blade, no! Going to try one more time washing, and if that don't help, will call my Salesman!
2hot6ft2, thanks for the compliment on my tag (should be here this week or next). Also, I didn't know they made clear bras (I'll check into it)? Also, after washing my car Sunday, I saw a little knick ( , kinda like a little dot!)
The paint peeling is from the panels being so tight together and making it rub the paint apart. All I did was chip it off and touch it up and put some washers on there like most did.
I went thru this forum after talking to my salesman at Honda in Alabama (he has not heard anything about this), he asked me where most were from, and I said some North, some along the beach area. He asked me if it could be Salt? Snow in the North, salt the roads.....around oceans, salt? Possbility? Just trying to help! But he did say that if I should notice anything, to call him and he'll take care of it, and today, I've noticed something, my windshield....I have spots all over and I can't seem to get them out! When I washed my car, I noticed my windshield had some spots, but after I was done and towel dried, I have spots that won't come out. Even tried window cleaner, no, and tried scrapping with a razor blade, no! Going to try one more time washing, and if that don't help, will call my Salesman!
2hot6ft2, thanks for the compliment on my tag (should be here this week or next). Also, I didn't know they made clear bras (I'll check into it)? Also, after washing my car Sunday, I saw a little knick ( , kinda like a little dot!)
cashondeb, Any chance you could get a pic of the spots on the windshield, if they will show up that is?
The paint peeling problem has nothing to do with location of the vehicle. My car came from lower Alabama in a trade and it did it. What it seems to be is they put a little too much paint on at that edge, put it together before it dried completely and they left no space for the panels to move and flex.
It's really not a big problem since they will fix it by repainting the bumper. They will also give you a loaner while they do it. Now that will really make you miss your Fit. They had mine for less than a week.
They also replaced the sport trim (garnish) on the drivers side because the paint was literally flaking off. I still need to put paint protection film on that. I already did the other side.
I also put the film on the rear bumper and in the door handles where your fingers go since that always seems to get scratched up.
A last note on the clear bra. Give your car a good waxing a few days before getting the bra installed. If you decide to that is. Reason is that it will be your last chance to wax the paint where the bra goes until you remove it to replace it in about 5 years or more.
There are several threads about "Paint Protection Film" and "Clear Bras" here in the forum. Just do a search to find them.
Those little dots reproduce fast.
You're welcome on the thumbs up on the plate. Have a great day and Happy Fittin'
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07 FIT Taffeta White, 5sp M/T Sport
I've got the Xpel (3M film) protection kit on my Fit and my MazdaSpeed Protege (have it on the MSP for about 2.5 years) and I just wanted to let you know that you can and should wax it. The film can breath and there is no problem sealing it with wax for protection.
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03.5 MazdaSpeed Protege
07 SSM Fit Sport
I've got the Xpel (3M film) protection kit on my Fit and my MazdaSpeed Protege (have it on the MSP for about 2.5 years) and I just wanted to let you know that you can and should wax it. The film can breath and there is no problem sealing it with wax for protection.
Yes I know to wax the film. I was saying to wax the paint itself before having the film installed. But in case cashondeb didn't know that good point.
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07 FIT Taffeta White, 5sp M/T Sport
Yes I know to wax the film. I was saying to wax the paint itself before having the film installed. But in case cashondeb didn't know that good point.
My installer uses mineral spirits to clean the entire surface and strip it of wax so the adhesive has a good surface to grab onto. If you wax it before putting the film on it will just be stripped off before the application. It's the same concept as if you are installing a sunroof visor or window visors, you clean the entire area with rubbing alcohol to strip waxes and oils.
I don't want cashondeb to do any extra work if he decides to get the film.
Mark
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03.5 MazdaSpeed Protege
07 SSM Fit Sport
Honda does cheap out on the paint. No primer and they spray it straight over the bumper possibly the entire car is done the same way.
I do partially agree about the paint being sprayed directly onto the bumper of my RSX but I know my del sol bumper had primer. I will disagree about Honda doing cheap paint. I am on my 7th Honda Car and never had any paint issues on any of them including my FIT with over 4k now.
The FIT paint issue just seems to be a mistake by Honda on the US and Canadian FITs since they had to redesign the bumpers for US safety laws. I would now take this single mistake and generalize it to all Honda made cars. I would love to see what data you have to prove that Honda "Cheap out on the paint"
I am in California so if it was a salt issue I would not have any problems but if I do then you guys will know it is not due to salt and give you a little more ammo to take in to the dealers. I know here the dealers will fight me on getting it repainted and I will have to push hard. (might just be a Cali thing)
I have a question about this clear bra ... I've gotten several chips in my paint by taking two road trips in the past week (the newest one is a small chip on my side mirror ... geez ...). How much does the application cost, and does it cost significantly more to have them touch up the chipped spots beforehand? Do most places that paint cars also apply it?
This really is the main thing I hate about my Fit, and when I approach it and see those chips, it just makes me sad. I really can't recommend this car to anyone who can't afford the protection and does a lot of highway driving.
If you look around or maybe search or use the tags you will find a post or two on clear bras. This is NOT the clear bra post so please continue this discussion there.
Guess we did kinda stray from the topic of the thread.
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07 FIT Taffeta White, 5sp M/T Sport
Glad you're happy
Paint Peeling Question?
, kinda like a little dot!)
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