How long to wait until I wax hood after repainting

[Wicho]

I recently had my hood repainted because I got into a VERY small accident and left a fist sized dent in my hood. It has been a week since it was repainted I want to know how long should I wait until I clay, polish and wax.

 

[Ron Harris]

I would wait at least 60 days.

 

[Black240SX]

The usual advice seems to be 30 days, though you could ask the body shop what they suggest.

 

[Wicho]

60 days ? That is a long time taking into consideration that the car is always out in the sun and gets baked from the inside out because of the engine heat. I live in Miami so i think 30 days would be more acceptable. Correct me if I am wrong thanks

 

[01bluecls]

Typically I hear 30 days as well.

 

[googledude]

The norm I've heard (from experience) is 2 weeks - 30 days.

 

[m4xmw]

Can you apply a glaze say Vanilla Moose? straight away?



Mark

 

[stevet]

Can you apply a glaze say Vanilla Moose? straight away?



Mark

It has to be safe for fresh paint. 3M Imperial Hand Glaze, 3M Perfect It III Finishing Glaze, and Megs #81 are all safe for fresh paint. VM contains wax. I'm not sure if it is safe for new paint.

 

[togwt]

·Newly re- painted vehicle- How long do you have to wait before you can polish or wax a newly painted vehicle surface?

Paint is formulated with solvents (30-80% dependant upon manufacturer) once applied paint needs to dry and the solvents need to evaporate (off-gassing) to enable the paint to harden (cure) if the paint is covered with a wax or sealant it will arrest the outgas/cure process.

·One exception is the application of a glaze (Mezerna Final Polish II, 3Mâ„¢ Perfect-It IIIâ„¢ Show Car Finishing Glaze, Zanio Z-Polish) they are completely safe for fresh paint, as they allow the solvents to evaporate (off-gassing)

·Abrasive polish should be avoided until the paint has cured but vehicle washing is encouraged (avoiding harsh detergents or any car wash that uses a high-pressure spray or a wash that contains wax. Also avoid using quick detailing sprays (QD) as they also contain wax)



I do not know of a single paint manufacture that recommends applying wax, or any type of paint protect ant (sealant) until a minimum of 30 days has passed and sometimes longer (I would recommend this as a minimum period even if the paint has been oven-cured). 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 so as not to void any warranty given.

 

[Accumulator]

I always wait at least two months and mine are baked after painting. In the meantime just use one of the products Stevet recommended or something similar (my fave is Meg's #5, but #3 and #7 work fine too). No VM, it's more of a light cleaner wax than a true (bodyshop safe) glaze. The different way the words "glaze" and "polish" are used sure doesn't help with all this...

 

[audipower]

30 days. I detail custom cars and the painter always tells me to wait 30 days. Use clay. For the love of god don't use polish!

 

[Accumulator]

For the love of god don't use polish!

I dunno, I'd say (per usual) that it depends on the paint. I've wetsanded/compounded/polished fresh paint many, many times with great results. In fact, the painter has often done it before I even saw the finished car. The uncured paint is a little easier to work so you do have to watch what you're doing. On the other hand, I've also had a few repaints where it was too soft to polish for the first few weeks. All depends. But I suppose there's nothing wrong with erring on the side of caution if you're not sure.

 

[m4xmw]

I have Megs DC 2 polish, is that a better option?

Otherwise I`ll be leaving well alone.



Thanks again

Mark

 

[DSVWGLI]

60-90 days. You can check with your painter as well.

 

[Accumulator]

I have Megs DC 2 polish, is that a better option?

Otherwise I`ll be leaving well alone.



Thanks again

Mark

IIRC, and that's a not-insignificant "if" the DC polish is basically a "consumer" version of the other Meg's Pure Polishes and should be fresh paint safe. Hate to say this, but maybe you oughta do the dreaded search. Mike P has posted on all the Meg's stuff you can use while paint is curing and he would know.

 

[jimc]

I just had my front bumper repainted and the body shop told me to wait 90 days before apply a wax

 

[Big Leegr]

From reading different vendor websites, these are what I've read as acceptable "protection" for use on "fresh" paint: Megs 80 (breatheable polymer protection), Mothers Phase 2 (Sealer and Glaze), Finish Kare (all their stuff is supposed to be useable on new paint).



This is just what I've read. No first hand experience.