So my car is back from the body shop. It was keyed rather heavily (every panel except the top) a few weeks ago, and it had to be scuffed and re-painted. Looks great now. I remember someone saying a while back (not necessarily here) that you're not supposed to detail your car for 30 days after its been painted. Is this true? Why? I asked the guy at the shop, and he just nodded and said, "30 days, yup" Can I at least wash it? The body-shop applied something to the car, because it's shiny and clean, but I want to use my Klasse...the stuff they put on is attracting dust and pollen like crazy.
Back from Body Shop...when can I detail?
- Thread starter Quacker
- Start date
Interestingly enough, with my repaint, I was told that due to the different methods of the company that mfr'd the paint used on the 'Vette, that I didn't have to wait at all.
I believe the name was Sikkens or similar. But yeah, I usually went by 1-3 months, although I didn't on that thing.
I believe the name was Sikkens or similar. But yeah, I usually went by 1-3 months, although I didn't on that thing.
Pats300zx
Super Moderator
I was told 7 weeks by my body shop. I would wait just to be sure. You can always QD and use a glaze if you want to....
I would WAIT at least 60 days.Then a wax with no cleaners,No polish for another 30 days BE SMART if your car was just repainted you must let the paint cure and not to rush.This is on the safe side(this I was told from my AUTOBODY COMPANY)and if you see the way my wife drives you know why im am there every month!
togwt
The Old Grey Whistle Test
~One man’s opinion / observations ~
Newly re- painted vehicle- How long do you have to wait before you can polish or wax a newly painted
surface? A glaze (3M Perfect-It III Show Car Finishing Glaze contains a protective polymer that is paint able. It is completely safe for fresh paint, as it allows the solvents to evaporate. I do not know of a single paint manufacture that recommends applying wax, or any type of paint protectant (sealant) until a minimum of 30 days has passed and sometimes longer.
Dupont standard is to wait 90 days if the vehicle is out in the elements and to wait 120 days if it is kept in a garage most of the time. It can be argued that catalysed paints are cured chemically and there is no need to wait for 30 days, the manufacture knows their products best, seek their advice.
~Hope this helps~
Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/Jon
justadumbarchitect *so I question everything*
Newly re- painted vehicle- How long do you have to wait before you can polish or wax a newly painted
surface? A glaze (3M Perfect-It III Show Car Finishing Glaze contains a protective polymer that is paint able. It is completely safe for fresh paint, as it allows the solvents to evaporate. I do not know of a single paint manufacture that recommends applying wax, or any type of paint protectant (sealant) until a minimum of 30 days has passed and sometimes longer.
Dupont standard is to wait 90 days if the vehicle is out in the elements and to wait 120 days if it is kept in a garage most of the time. It can be argued that catalysed paints are cured chemically and there is no need to wait for 30 days, the manufacture knows their products best, seek their advice.
~Hope this helps~
Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/Jon
justadumbarchitect *so I question everything*
Accumulator
Well-known member
Yeah, you can wash it. You can even polish it (chances are the paint shop already did, they may have even wetsanded it), but note that the paint will be a little softer than normal while it's curing. After my S8 was repaired, the painter and I both wetsanded, compounded, and polished areas of its fresh paint shortly after he sprayed it- no problems, and it was easier to work before it was fully hardened. Watch that you don't use a polish that contains wax, though. During this time, the paint is "out-gassing", so you don't want to seal it up with wax or a sealant, but there are numerous products that you *can* use safely.
For protection, there are fresh-paint-safe polymers that give a little more protection than the 3M IHG. Meg's #80 is a good example- some mild abrasives, fresh-paint-safe polymers. Other Meg's "pure polishes" work OK too- #3, #5, #7, #81.
Don't use a carnauba-based QD, but yeah, Meg's #34 is perfectly safe, paint shops use it on fresh paint all the time, but it won't really leave anything beneficial. Best to use one of the glazes so you have *some* sacrificial layer over the sorta-fragile new paint.
FWIW, I use either the #80 or IHG on fresh paint. Never had a problem.
For protection, there are fresh-paint-safe polymers that give a little more protection than the 3M IHG. Meg's #80 is a good example- some mild abrasives, fresh-paint-safe polymers. Other Meg's "pure polishes" work OK too- #3, #5, #7, #81.
Don't use a carnauba-based QD, but yeah, Meg's #34 is perfectly safe, paint shops use it on fresh paint all the time, but it won't really leave anything beneficial. Best to use one of the glazes so you have *some* sacrificial layer over the sorta-fragile new paint.
FWIW, I use either the #80 or IHG on fresh paint. Never had a problem.
Just had my bumper repainted because some jerk in a motorcycle hit it. Glad I found this thread. All of you are saying wait x number of weeks before waxing but safe to put glaze or pure polish. Glad I have IHG and #81. But I'm a bit confused. I've read somewhere (I'm sure it's a detailing website) that glaze or polish would be easily removed by sun or rain if not topped with wax or sealant. I haven't tried it so I can't tell.
Can somebody enlighten me? Many thanks.
Can somebody enlighten me? Many thanks.
imported_kgb
New member
My body shop said to go ahead and wax it right away and that is fine. I did and now the body panels they painted are so soft I have to have them recleared. I just look at the paint wrong and it scratches. Looks like crap and I am sure ithas to do with me being dumb and listening to the body shop.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Scottwax said:
Though I'd add to use a non-carnauba QD- I really do err on the side of caution with this stuff.
Yeah, the glazes wash/wear off fast, but they're better than nothing. In a perfect world I'd put the car in the garage until the paint's cured (that's what I do if I have something else to drive).
2001civicex- Isn't it a drag when you get crappy advice from people you should be able to rely on?!? Yeah, if it's way too soft that could be from insufficient outgassing...it really does pay to just wait.
imported_kgb
New member
Accumulator said:
Yes, it sucks big time! I think after winter, if Is till have the car, I am going to get it recleared.
Here's what I've learned about paint cure times.
If the paint was baked you can wax within a week. Usually the paint, if mixed correctly, will cure in 24 to 48 hours.
Air dried, if mixed correctly and spray correctly will cure in 30 to 45 days.
The problem arises when paints are not mixed correctly. Another problem arises if the paint is sprayed on too thick. I've been told for each mil of paint added to the manufacturers suggested thickness increases drying time at a exponential rate. My 63 Nova took years to fully cure. The guy put on about 12 mils of paint.
All the while I used our Sealer and Glaze and Natural Formula Carnauba. I had to be very careful with application and removal because the surface scratched very easily, this was before MF towels.
Personally I'd stay away from the so called paint sealants/polymer/acrylic products and stick with products that will not inhibit out-gassing. When the paint is fully cured then have at it!
I generally wait 30 to 45 days past what the painter says. That usually turns out to be 90 days on an air dried paint job.
If the paint was baked you can wax within a week. Usually the paint, if mixed correctly, will cure in 24 to 48 hours.
Air dried, if mixed correctly and spray correctly will cure in 30 to 45 days.
The problem arises when paints are not mixed correctly. Another problem arises if the paint is sprayed on too thick. I've been told for each mil of paint added to the manufacturers suggested thickness increases drying time at a exponential rate. My 63 Nova took years to fully cure. The guy put on about 12 mils of paint.
All the while I used our Sealer and Glaze and Natural Formula Carnauba. I had to be very careful with application and removal because the surface scratched very easily, this was before MF towels.
Personally I'd stay away from the so called paint sealants/polymer/acrylic products and stick with products that will not inhibit out-gassing. When the paint is fully cured then have at it!
I generally wait 30 to 45 days past what the painter says. That usually turns out to be 90 days on an air dried paint job.