Car just got painted

How's it going. I just got my hood, front bumper, and rear bumper repainted. I have a car show to attend and I need to make sure that the exterior is clean and shining. I have completed the interior, just need to due the exterior and the engine. I have a 2002 Tafette White Acura CLS coupe. I have ground effects, and chrome wheels. I am attaching a pic of what the car looked like the last time I detailed it. I am needing to know what products you recommend for the exterior since it was just painted and for the engine.



ac37.jpg
 
For fresh paint and an upcoming show, I'd just recommend a good glaze. Clearkote Vanilla Moose or a Meguiars Glaze like #7(if you don't mind that it's hard to use) would work great.



My engine formula involves diluted(2:1) Simple Green to clean and CD2 Engine Detailer to dress.



Nice car and good luck with the show!:wavey
 
On brand new paint, I would only put water/wash soap for 30-45 days. Give the VOC's time to "burn off" - it part of the paint curing process. Disrupting the cure could lead to early paint failure.
 
All of the Meguiar's "Pure Polishes" are fresh-paint-safe. Deep Crystal Step #2, and #3/#5/#7/#81 from the Pro line. I prefer the #5, very easy to work with. I like it a lot better than 3M IHG which is also OK for fresh paint. Using one of these products will shine/slicken it up a bit and provide a little protection.
 
I second #5 being a good choice for new paint. We used it on my buddy's freshly painted camaro. Very easy to use, was a bit tough to find (order online) but #3 is available at some auto parts stores and is another good choice. good luck!
 
Gonzo said:
On brand new paint, I would only put water/wash soap for 30-45 days. Give the VOC's time to "burn off" - it part of the paint curing process. Disrupting the cure could lead to early paint failure.



The curing time depends on whether it was "oven-cured" or not. If it was, a 30-45 day wait is not necessary. Even if it wasn't, with modern paints a few weeks is usualy all you need to wait - ask the pros who did the job about how long is necessary.
 
The 30-45 days was the advice I was given by the body shop when I had some work done on my blue Accord - they knew I was a little anal and were familiar with the work I did on my vehicle, but also some of the polishing jobs I had done for some in the local Lightning community. They told me that they cannot crank up the oven to the same temps as the factory since the vehicle is assembled at that point and they wouldn't risk trashing the "soft goods" on or in the car - rubber, plastic and leather. I was told it DID get about 140 degrees for several hours. This was no "E-S" establishment either, but a "go to" shop for the more appearance conscious.
 
drewski59 said:
For fresh paint and an upcoming show, I'd just recommend a good glaze. Clearkote Vanilla Moose or a Meguiars Glaze like #7(if you don't mind that it's hard to use) would work great.



My engine formula involves diluted(2:1) Simple Green to clean and CD2 Engine Detailer to dress.



Nice car and good luck with the show!:wavey



I wouldn't recommending using VM on the freshly painted panels. VM contains wax in it and I believe that will effect the curing.
 
How about Meg's... Body Shop Professional Hand Polish.....M81..suppose to be fresh paint safe....thats what they put on my truck after a paint job on the fender and door...



Al
 
Ay of Meg's products that say paint shop safe mean one of two things .

1.) Are to safe to use IN a body shop where as they contain no silicones ( but might not be safe ON paint )

2.) Are safe to use on fresh hardened paint and will not affect curing .

A lot of Meg's body shop safe stuff is labeled that because you cut and buff with it , but paint cures a long time after paint is dry . Even oven baked the finish is gassing off for months . the only way I know how to tell if it's done curing is take some wet/dry paper and scuff up an area and see if it smells like paint . If yes its still curing , if no it's done enough to be safe applying wax .

You have to break thru a few layers to tell though so not the best idea unless you KNOW what youre doing .

m81 is to polish out the finish after cutting and buffing is all . It's okay for fresh paint as the last step before a hand glaze such as #5
 
taken from meg's forum......by Mike Phillips



After-market paint finishes however, are cured at a much lower temperature to ensure the method of baking or heating the paint doesn't melt non-metal components such as wiring and vinyl. For this reason, it's best to follow the specific paint manufactures recommendations for care and maintenance of fresh paint. Most paint manufactures that supply paint to the refinish industry recommend that you allow anywhere from 30 to 90 days curing time after the paint is applied before you apply the first application of wax.



To maintain your cars fresh paint during the recommended curing time you can safely use any of the below Meguiar's pure polishes, which are not only safe for fresh paint but help to enhance the curing process while making your paint look it's absolute best.



M-03 Machine Glaze



M-05 New Car Glaze



M-07 Show Car Glaze



M-81 Hand Polish



A-21 Deep Crystal Polish
 
Thanks for the replys. I guess I will try the Megs stuff. I will ask my body shop. The car is still not ready, the guy told me that it should be done hopefully this weekend. My show is Sept 17 and 18. So not much time to get her ready. Also, anyone have any recommendations on how to protect the paint from rocks or anything else, I am in Nashville, TN and I have to drive to Atlanta, GA.
 
What about Finish Kare Polymer Sealant?



During a lengthily conversation with Torey (sp) at FK tech the subject about what products were safe over fresh paint was discussed. I was recommended their 2180.



Here is a techs description about it on their forum.



FINISH KARE 2180 ULTRA Seal A.S.



FINISH KARE 2180 ULTRA Seal A.S.



BODY SHOP SAFE



2180 ULTRA is a polymer sealant not a wax or a glaze and can be applied as a final enduring finish to freshly painted surfaces within 24 hours of repair.



Formulated with polymer/copolymer and amino functional resins these effect a cationic factor which allows them to attach to the finish forming a protective film allowing paint to breathe and withstand high temperatures up to 400 degrees.



2180 ULTRA contains no dimethyl silicones, as they are a wet greasy evaporative, migratory component. This special formulation allows the solvents to evaporate while not allowing contaminates to attack the surface; in other words they breathe out, not in.



• 2180 ULTRA will breathe with fresh paint

• No harmful silicones

• Gives long lasting protection and gloss

• Easy application and removal

• Will not evaporate or wash away

• Will not hide or cover-up

• Patented anti-static formula eliminates dust cling




He also mentioned that their polymer sealants are unique as they can also be layered after a 20 minute cure time compared to most manufactures 12-24 hour wait.



What is the cure time for waxes and sealants?



John
 
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