FIAT SPIDER 2000 - Manual (Page 53)

Obviously the factors we have described act in different ways
in different cases, according to the environmental conditions
and the use of the car. Equally obvious is the fact that the
owner who cares about hfs car and maintains it properly can
make it last longer. We would like to list a few useful hints and
pieces of advice which, though obvious, often pass unobserved
for that very reason. The FIAT Service Network will be happy
to supply more details on request.
Body Paintwork
Needless to say, the paintwork does not serve only an aesthetic
function, but also covers and protects the metal on which it is
deposited.
Therefore, any abrasion or deep scratches that expose the
sheet metal should be retouched immediately to avoid pitting
by rust.
This retouching should always be done with original products
(see paint indentification plate).
Washing the car is the greater part of normal paint maintenance.
The frequency or washing depends not only on the frequency
of use, but also on the nature of the car's surroundings: washing
should be more frequent in more polluted areas, or if the car
is often parked under trees which produce harmful resins.
A correct wash should be done as follows: First the car should
be wet down with water at low pressure and sponged down
with a light (2 - 4%) detergent solution. Rinse the sponge fre-
quently. Rinse the car with a spray of water to carry away the
loosened dirt, then dry with an air jet or chamois leather.
51