[...the car i am detailing is new. do you still have to wait 30 days for the paint to cure (as I have heard in the past) before you can wax/seal it?]
Polymer Sealant or Waxing New Paint
a) New cars
The most often asked question and a subject that results in a great deal of confusion regarding polishing or waxing fresh paint (for repainted panels see (
b)).
Paint curing process; new cars go through the painting and baking process without any of the rubber, plastic, and cloth components installed. This is why they can expose the cars paint to such high temperatures, these high temperatures and special paints used at the factory level ensure the paint is fully cured by the time the car leaves the assembly line.
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) water based paint and its clear coat are cured at high temperatures; sometimes as high as 300oF in multiple oven zones where the paint is baked with radiation and convection heat so that 90-95% of the paint systems out gassing has taken place, the additional 5-10% will cure within 2-3 days and the vehicle?s paint can be waxed the moment it is rolled out of the manufacturing plant.
By not applying some sort of paint protection soon after purchase the customer is actually damaging the paint surface instead of helping it. Salesmen that advise a customer not to wax a car for 3-6 months are relying on old paint methods and are misinformed about the latest paint technology.
The newer paints are catalyzed (a chemical reaction that cures the paint) lacquers and enamels needed an extensive time for the solvents to release, with modern water based paints this is not necessary.
This is a huge problem in dealerships because customers tend to take the advice offered by a salesman who usually knows nothing about paint, rather than a trained paint professional. This goes a long way to understand why fairly new vehicles paint surfaces are in such bad shape even after a relatively short period of time.
Cosmoline (now only used on imports i.e. Porsche, Volkswagen, BMW, etc) but is no longer used in the US as it is not environmentally sound; apart from that it is much harder to remove than the shipping/storage wax modern car manufacturer?s use. A large percentage of new vehicles, both domestic and imports have either a shipping/storage wax applied (5:1 emulsion of paraffin and synthetic wax) which effectively ?seals? the paint surface more than a polymer due to its formulation.
Place your hand in some paraffin wax; once the wax has dried (approx 1.5-2 hours ) you'll notice that your hand starts sweating profusely because the pores have been ?sealed? by the wax, these coatings are applied within one to three hours after the vehicle is assembled, and after the painting process is complete, this protective sealant coating (sealant means what it says)
It really does seal and protect the paint from the environment, a lot different from the detailer?s polymer ?sealant?)it should only remain for 90 - 120 days maximum; otherwise it becomes very difficult to remove (Auto International?s AutoBody Prep ?
Vehicles from the USA, EU and many European builds, use the plastic transit film, however vehicles from Brazil, and some Asian models, still use shipping wax.
Notes:
1. Abrasive polish should be avoided until the paint has cured (an abrasive polish will not necessarily harm the soft new paint but unless it?s absolutely necessary I would avoid it) Although using a high sped rotary, an abrasive compound, wool or a dense foam pad and heavy pressure is not recommended; as this combination can cause paint to ?twist?; this occurs when dynamic friction (heat) is created along with heavily applied pressure combine to alter the bond between the paint and its substrate, which can cause the paint film (or paint containing flex agent) to ?twist? and delaminate from the substrate.
2. Vehicle washing is encouraged but avoid car wash concentrates that contain any harsh detergents, alkali, acids or wax (recommended products- Zaino Z-7? Show Car Wash, Groit?s Car Wash) also avoid car washes that uses a high-pressure spray or wax or harsh detergents.
3. Do not use a car cover until the paint is fully cured
4. A paint film surface is a delicate thin coating easily dulled and very easily scratched, so choose carefully the advice you listen to and most importantly what advice you act upon.
5. The body-shop / paint manufactures know their products; seek their advice so as not to void any warranty. Paint manufacturer have specific technical guidelines on how to use their products to affect a warranted spot/panel/ repairs or a full repaint. This preserves both the paint manufactures and factory warranty.
6. Some Carnauba wax contains paraffin wax, which effectively ?seals? the paint surface more than a polymer due to its formulation
An extract from one of a series of unbiased ?Detailing Technical Papers? ? TOGWT ? Ltd Copyright 2002-2009, all rights reserved.