Originally Posted by nkrishnap (Post 1940457)

Thats quite a good information on the painting process. I have a query, does the heat treatment (i.e, baking in the oven) happen at every stage of the painting process?

Originally Posted by sandeepmdas (Post 1940398)

Exactly. The following is from the GP service manual.

Before being painted the bodyshell undergoes a pre-treatment process known as bonderization during which an initial degreasing stage is followed by a phosphating treatment.

The latter forms a crystalline layer of phosphate which make up the base on which the subsequent painting layer is applied through cataphoresis.

Painting through cataphoresis is a fundamental treatment for the protection of the structural elements.

It allows the paint to be deposited in areas of the bodyshell that would otherwise be inaccessible such as the internal box structures.

The process takes place through immersion in an electrically insulated vat containing an acqueous solution of paint product.

The solution is negatively charged whilst the bodyshell is positively charged. During immersion, a layer of paint is deposited (22 microns on horizontal parts and 20 microns on vertical parts) that can be adjusted by altering the bath voltage, the bath temperature and the length of time the body remains in the solution.

The body then undergoes a process of stoving in an oven at 160° for 20 minutes.

Heat bonded materials are then applied to the prepared body and then all the joints between the body panels are sealed to prevent corrosive agents leaking through. An abrasion-resistant coating is then applied to all areas exposed to gravel from the road.

The body is now prepared by adding a primer coat (30 microns thick) before undergoing a further stoving cycle in the oven.

Lastly, the aesthetic finish is applied comprising a layer of enamel base coat (colour) followed by a clear resin coat with very good resistance properties to outside agents (humidity, the sun''s rays) and the final baking in the oven.

Environmentally-friendly, water-based enamels are used at the production plant.

Originally Posted by download2live (Post 1938292)

Had a talk with one of the salesguys and was informed that Punto Sports (Diesel, VGT engine, 90 something HP) is on its way.
He said that it will be launched in coming months. I think it was month of July. My poor memory. I am getting old.
Also that its on road price will be around 8.5 lacs on road in Bangalore.

Originally Posted by fiat_tarun (Post 1943426)

Guys, any idea how much the parking sensors cost ? The dealer has told my dad that the one with the display on the mirror costs 6000 and he will give a 25% discount on that. Is this a good deal ? In addition to the fiat offers of free 1st year insurance, 4 years road side assistance and extended warranty free, he's giving us free sunfilm(will choose which 1 after the car comes), the usual mats, mudflaps, perfume, discount on fiat seat covers (giving it for 5k) and 25% off on the parking sensors.

Originally Posted by BMW-X5 (Post 1943897)

Looks like this thread will break the DDLJ history, every day we have new posts anf this has made me to buy a PUNTO :). My Silver PUNTO MJD Emotion pack is arriving home today.

Originally Posted by BMW-X5 (Post 1943897)

Looks like this thread will break the DDLJ history, every day we have new posts anf this has made me to buy a PUNTO :). My Silver PUNTO MJD Emotion pack is arriving home today.

Originally Posted by FiatMyLife (Post 1943901)

This is great! Whats the on-road price currently? And what are the discounts you got?

I test drove 1.4 yesterday. It was quite zippy I must say!

Originally Posted by sukrit7 (Post 1944283)

yes,the punto reaches 100 quicker than the linea,