Is it safe to wash my car after a paint job???

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Elonheater32

New member
I had my hood repained along with my front bumper due to excessive stone chips that the previous owner put on my 335i. The car was painted about a week and half ago. Is it safe for me to wash the car now?



It has gotten a bit dirty and I just cannot stand to look at a dirty car especially when I have tons of time to clean it up. Also, the guy that did the painting told me no polishing or waxing for 3 weeks which I totally understand the polishing since the paint is still curing.... but the waxing??



Will the waxing prevent the paint from curing what?
 
the paint shop washed your car after they were done with it so it is safe for you to wash it. as for not waxing it my understanding is the paint has to "gas out" and putting wax on top with not allow this to happen. whic this early i can not remember what exactley that is but i am sure other members will chime in or try to google it.
 
Yes, no wax. Most paint shops will want you to wait 2-3 months before applying anything that will seal the paint, as there are sovents in the paint that need to work their way to the surface and dissapate. If it is sealed up, they cannot escape, and you are in for trouble. Imperial hand glaze is often used as a protectant during this time. Do not seal or wax until the paint has had time to out-gas.



Jeff
 
That is exactly what I was looking for. It does suck that I will not be able to wax my car until the dead middle of winter..... REALLY SUCKS!!! The guy said 3 weeks.... but should I wait longer?



Thanks guys!!!
 
I am only relaying what I was told about a month ago with a similar situation on my car. I hear you about the timing of applying a wax. I have problems with a very soft paint as well, and it is causing me fits. I have polished it ( looks great after) , and IP'ed it, but even Imperial hand glaze has caused me problems with scratching (I have a Miata with "brilliant black" non-metalic paint). I am hoping that it firms up while I am waiting for it to outgas, and by early December I am able to get something on it to hold over for the winter. I don't know what paint they used on your car, but three weeks souinds a bit quick - but I don't know for sure.
 
I am guessing since my paint is not fully cured or "gassed out" yet the paint is a bit softer.



Am I risking putting scratches on the paint even with a mild wash considering that is has not fully cured yet? I am espeically worried that even with a mild wash that it might damage the paint espeically on the hood where it had a full repaint. I am probably being a bit too paranoid, but I'd rather ask than be sorry.



The guy did wash the car after he painted it so I am guessing it is okay, but then again it makes sense that I could possibly swirl or mess up the paint simply by washing it since it is still soft.
 
Elonheater32 said:
I am guessing since my paint is not fully cured or "gassed out" yet the paint is a bit softer...
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IMO that's a safe assumption. It almost always works that way for me. I use a fresh-paint-friendly glaze for the first three months or so (usually Meg's #5).

Am I risking putting scratches on the paint even with a mild wash considering that is has not fully cured yet? I am espeically worried that even with a mild wash that it might damage the paint espeically on the hood where it had a full repaint. I am probably being a bit too paranoid, but I'd rather ask than be sorry.
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If you wash it properly there shouldn't be any problems. It's just like washing, say.... a BMW with the very soft Jet Black paint.
The guy did wash the car after he painted it so I am guessing it is okay, but then again it makes sense that I could possibly swirl or mess up the paint simply by washing it since it is still soft.



FWIW, I've never had paints stop outgassing by three weeks. Never...even when they were baked.
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Again, it's all a matter of how you wash. Don't grind dirt into the paint [Insert usual lecture about wash-induced marring here]. Heh heh, I always assume that shops tell people not to wash because they left a heavily glazed swirled-up mess and they don't want you to wash away the fillers. FWIW, my painters sure don't tell *me* not to wash/etc.
 
Yeah, what Accumulator said. I have not been told not to wash it. Just make sure you take proper washing techniques to keep any additional marring to a minimum.



jeff
 
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