I Leave for a Few Months and.......

Check the build date on your car. More than likely you will find that at least 30 days has passed since it left the factory.



30 days is sufficient time; you can commence detailing.
 
Most all new cars are fully cured once they are in customer hands. I've known several people that clay their cars straight off the truck and apply their favorite polish [Zaino} with no problems. However, I would not recommend using abrasive polishes on new paint.

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Thanks Articwhite. Let's say it's a domestically built car and 30 days has not elapsed. What is the dealer prepping it with and is that product detrimental to the finish? Also, is there a consumer "new car prep" product for finishes less than 30 days old?



I think 3M Imperial Hand Glaze says "especialy for newly painted surfaces" on the label but I may be wrong.
 
Most auto manufacturers paint the car and then put the car into a great big oven. This process not only dries the paint quicker for the manufacturer, but also makes the paint stronger. (not sure if stronger is the best word) This is why in most cases the original paint is better then what you can get through a body shop.



As far as how long you have to wait, before the paint cures, I would be really surprised if you were to get your hands on a car within thirty days of painting. Think about it, even if you special ordered your car, the time line would go something likes this:



The main body parts are assembled.

During that process the car is painted (Time 0)

The car is then unassembled into multiple parts. (Ask if you want details.)

Then the majority of the inner parts of the car are installed

It rolls off the assembly line (Time Day 1)

Final inspection/Prep to send (Time Day 2)

Put on a truck to ship out (Time Day 8)

Vehicle goes to selling lot (Time Day 11)

Dealer processes vehicle (Time Day 13)

Customer takes possession of vehicle (Time Day 15)



So I would guess that even if everything went really smoothly, then at minimum 15 days would pass by the time you took possession of the vehicle. This is never the case because the auto industry is to heavily unionized. And of course this takes into account that the auto was built here in the US. If it was built overseas, then just the boat ride over would eat up most if not all of the thirty days. Not to get to far off subject, but if you ever want to see what great lengths companies will go to evade taxes, then this is a perfect example. There are huge, complex models that show the best way of shipping these cars. Ships will carry these cars to multiple ports throughout the world just to avoid taxes. Remember though that both domestic and foreign cars are made overseas and both domestic and foreign cars are made domestically. Bottom line is that because of the oven baking process and time to possession, I would not worry about the paint unless under very special circumstances.



As far as care of the new paint, I would suggest as others have. Maybe clay and then Dawn wash, but anything more then that I would think is unnecessary. I am not familar with what the dealer uses, but I would imagine that the dawn would strip it from the paint without any problems. It probably is some type of cheap quick detailer. Sprayed on with a diluted water solution and then wipe dry. At least this what I have seen done on most dealer lots.



What I would be most concerned about is what you do going forward. Since you are on this forum I would imagine you will be washing your car on a regular basis. Make sure you wash correctly and minimize the tinny spider webs. Especially on a black paint job. As they say, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
 
Late model paint technology doesn't breathe, that's an

old myth.. once it cures that's it..... The older lacquers and enamels

needed time for the solvents to evaporate and release, that is where the

term "paint breathes" comes from. Wax would seal the paint and prevent

the solvents from

releasing. This led to a whole bunch of paint related problems. That's

why paint manufacturers still tell you not to apply WAX for thirty days.

Because WAX does not let the paint breathe.. and actually suffocates

it..

All urethane paints and late technology paints use a catalyst for

hardening and

curing. The paint is fully cured in about 36 to 72 hours. You may polish a

new car as soon as you get it with a non abrasive sealant.

That factory paint is already cured and needs protection against

airborne contaminants and UV rays.
 
Arcticwhite and DK are correct. It's only when you have a car repainted that you really have to worry about letting the paint cure.



EOM
 
the Whole World falls apart!!!

Seriously, none of us know what happened here, but the fact is that there are always unknown and unexpected circumstances that life throws at us. Things happen.

My best wishes and prayers to Jack, Todd and the entire crew at PAC and all the guys/gals on the TID website.

TID will always be a special place to me. Much excellent detailing experience and advice here, not to mention the friends that I acquired.

Good luck guys, and thank you for this special place.
 
Good to hear from you Bill

Thanks... I retired and got real busy.

Part-time project management job (20 hours per week)
4 Sons
4 Daughters-in-law
3 Grandkids
2 Corvettes
1 Swimming pool
1 27-speed road bicycle
1 Set of in-laws with a boat
1 Set of in-laws with 2 Sea-Doos

It's a busy life.:clap:
 
Bill, it's nice to see you back on here and it's great to hear that you've been keeping busy. However, if you're so busy that you've been neglecting your new "toy", then just toss me the keys and I'll be sure to take care of it for you. :D

How's your son settling in to married life? Hope all is well.
 
Thanks... I retired and got real busy.

Part-time project management job (20 hours per week)
4 Sons
4 Daughters-in-law
3 Grandkids
2 Corvettes
1 Swimming pool
1 27-speed road bicycle
1 Set of in-laws with a boat
1 Set of in-laws with 2 Sea-Doos

It's a busy life.:clap:

You need to add a dog to the mix Luster!
 
Bill, it's nice to see you back on here and it's great to hear that you've been keeping busy. However, if you're so busy that you've been neglecting your new "toy", then just toss me the keys and I'll be sure to take care of it for you. :D

How's your son settling in to married life? Hope all is well.

Kyle has been married 1 year and they are still goo-goo-eyed! Obviously in love.... Loves his job and all is good with the fam.

2 sons married, 1 engaged, 1 "going steady". :biggrin:
 
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