Once you take the screw out you can pull on the bumper part to seperate the two parts and slide the washer in there then when you put them back together use a credit card or drivers license to push the washer in without damaging the paint in the process.

The bumper is flexable, just dont pull on the fender side as the metal bends easily.

And it's just the one screw per corner that you take out.

 

Has anyone had the issue of getting "spots" on the paint after washing the car that are metallic-looking and not the color of the car? It's almost like the clear coat is coming off in those places. I have to look at the paint a certain way to see the spots (mostly in the sun) to see them so they aren't a *major* issue with me. It's just kinda irritating because I know they are there.

I used Meguiar's crystal wash car soap *shrug* I used a sheepskin mitt to wash it, then dried it with a 100% cotton terry microfiber towel. It happened on the hood, on the passenger side doors at the top, and on the spoiler. I wasn't even rubbing hard Just enough to knock some of the dust off it.

From that experience, I'm thinking the rumors about the paint sucking are true :P

 

I have a Taffeta White Fit and I've noticed very small rust-colored spots in several spots on my car, but mostly on the front/rear bumpers and the rear hatch. You have to get right up on the car to see them, but they drive me nuts as they won't wash out. I noticed them the first week I had the car. MY dealer buffed some of the rear bumper to get rid of some of them, but they never said what caused it.

Also, I was hopeful that I wouldn't have the bumper paint problem but I noticed today that my front bumper on the passenger side is starting to peel. I guess I'll be getting in contact with my dealer soon to get it taken care of.

 

I had them too. You can get them off if you use your fingernail but naturally you have to be careful when doing it. They claim it's from acid rain (forgot off hand exactly what they claim it's caused by but that's close enough).

After you scratch most of them off you'll want to wash and wax it good. Just don't dig too hard when doing it.

I suppose it's possible that it's from all the salt and rust on the ships and all over the shipyards. No telling what the ports in Japan look like but I've seen plenty of shipping containers to suspect that's a likely culprit.

It seems to actually be contact rust that has sprayed on the cars from something and it stuck real good. It's not in the paint itself just on the surface.

 

Thanks for the heads up. One day when I have some time on my hands I'll do a nice detailing job on the entire car and try to remove all the spots.

 

You're welcome and I hope you can at least get enough of them off to be satisfied with the results.

 

I had the little rust colored dots Im my white fit as well, i bought some "turtle wax" rubbing compound and it took them right off, and I havent had them since. You just have to be careful not to apply too much or rub too hard or it will scratch the clear coat a little, But i had no problems. Hope this helps!!

 

I just noticed yesterday the paint is peeling at the front where the bumper meets. The passenger side has a dime size piece of paint hanging off. I checked the other side and it is starting as well. I called the dealer and have to call back 7am Monday morning. The guy only said "your Kidding". Anyone had this fixed yet? how long does it take and are they willing to work with you? Please tell me some good news! Pretty upset about it now!

 

It took them 1 week meanwhile they gave me a loaner. I also had the drivers side sport garnish replaced at the same time since the paint was literally flaking off of it and they said it would be easier to just replace it than to take it off and repaint it.

 

Thanks, I also have the white fit. I called another dealer today just to see what they had to say. She said if they wouldn't take of it, she would at hers.

 

You're welcome. Honda is aware of the problem, enough of us have called them.

If your dealer gives you any grief you can always refer them to this forum so they can see it's not an isolated incident but they should already know that.

You'll really want your Fit back after being in a loaner for a week.

Since it's the front doing it this would be a good time to start looking at some paint protection film for after its fixed and had about a month to cure good. Lots of info on that in other threads here just do a search.

 

Paint is peeling on the passenger side of the front bumper and starting on the driver side as well. Also beginning to peel on both sides of the rear bumper. Already called the 800# and got a claim number. Will make an appointment soon with the dealership to resolve the issue. The customer rep I spoke with said he's never heard of this issue. PLEASE CALL HONDA AND LET THEM KNOW IF YOU ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.

 

Well I was starting to feel lucky that after 4 months and 7,000 miles I had no bumper peel. Yesterday I took a look and found that I am also getting peeling on my front bumper where it meets the fender. Guess I will be taking it to honda soon

 

What's the full 800 number? I'll have to give them a call soon.

 

wow. this is crazy. I noticed about two weeks ago, that my front bumper was pilling where it joined with the right front panel. I had zero idea that it was a common issue. I mean to the t. I looked at some of the pictures posted, and it looks JUST like mine. other than color...

 

well i just dropped mine off today. mine had paint peeling in 3 of the 4 seams, and they're going to repaint the bumper for me at their cost. i also get a free loaner for the week or so i am without my fit.

kind of unrelated question though, has anyone had any issues with the new paint not matching the original color? that seems to be my dad's concern.

 

It is Acid rain. It sticks TOO the paint. We use a soap/Muratic acid mix ( at my Ford Dealership i work at)and a nylon bristle broom/brush to wash the car. JUST DON'T LET THE STUFF STAY ON UR WINDOWS or it'll mark it up for a while. Shade, small areas and rinse often. Then wax her up good.
-------------------------------------------

 

not alone on that guys i have a blk fit does the same on front bumper

 

I have a 2007 Honda Fit Sport (US), bought off the lot during a February 2007 sales event. The paint is vivid blue pearl. I am nearing the 3500 mile oil change mark.

I noticed a few problems with the car immediately (I'll search for other threads about these problems): The paint on the hood and roof was full of "swirlies", which I chalked up to dealers being crappy at washing cars; the plastic covering the instrument panel was also "swirly" when the light shone on it (I guess the car was detailed by some guy with a dirty dash duster); the passenger windshield wiper was slowly rubbing away the windshield and judders when it is in use on a wet windshield.

I eventually took my new car to a self-wash place and used the spray nozzle to do a quick undercarriage wash (lots of road salt in my area), then rinsed the body fully. I washed the car using multiple clean microfiber cloths, grabbing a new one when the one I was using got a bit dirty. I drove the car home to dry it and put on a coat of wax (also using microfiber applicators and multiple clean polishing cloths). When I got to the bumpers, I noticed that there were chips of paint missing on my front and rear bumpers in the corner where the bumper meets the metal of the car. I realized that these chips must have come off when I was spraying down the tires and undercarriage.

I was planning to touch up the areas with touch up paint, but after reading this thread I think I will take the matter up with Honda. Paint should not be coming off when washing one's car, especially not a car with so few miles on it.

Should I call my dealer, or should I call Honda directly?

 

I don't think the dealer is going to do much about the swirls on the paint. We all have that same issue no matter how careful you are about washing the car. As for the windshield wiper and paint peeling from the bumpers (where the bumper and fender meet), Honda has issued techincal service bulletins for these problems. Sorry, I don't have the numbers on hand. For my paint issue I called Honda first, got a claim number then I called my service advisor. The dealership took care of it and I'm happy with the results.