New Paint Questions

99GrandAM

New member
I need to have my car taken into the shop due to some rusting/ paint bubbling by a wheel well. Its gotten too big to ignore anymore :grrr



So when the body shop repaints the panel in question (Left Quarter Panel) I don't exactly know what I can/can't do with the fresh paint on it and I have a prepping question.



Prep:

1. What exactly should I do (if anything) to prep the panel? I assume get all the wax off of it so the paint can bond...should I wash it with Dawn?



Fresh Paint:

1. you can't wax it after 30 days...correct?



2. Am I still able to wash the panel with my regular shampoo after painted? (TW Ice) Will it hurt it AT ALL? I'm asking b/c the "Paint Clinic" says "During the first thirty days after the paintwork, you shouldn't use any CHEMICALS on the fresh paint."



3. Polish: I was planning on doing a full detail to the car which added polishing this time around. My polishes I am getting are the 1Z Paint Polish and some Meg's #80. I know that the 1Z has silicone additives in it, not sure about the #80. my question is am I able to polish the paint with a silicone-containing polish or will I have to wait till after the 30 days?



I talked to the guy who did my estimate about the paint process and he did say that they DO bake the paint, if that helps at all.



Thanks...I just want to make sure I do EVERYTHING correctly in dealing with the fresh paint. Any other precautions I left out that you can think of are greatly appreciated! :)
 
for the prep you should not need to do anything as they should prep it properly if they are a quality paint shop. After the paint job you should be able to wash and polish it without any problems.
 
99GrandAM said:
I need to have my car taken into the shop due to some rusting/ paint bubbling by a wheel well. Its gotten too big to ignore anymore :grrr



So when the body shop repaints the panel in question (Left Quarter Panel) I don't exactly know what I can/can't do with the fresh paint on it and I have a prepping question...



This really is worth the dreaded search as we've covered it in detail many, many times ;) Quickie replies follow:

Prep:

1. What exactly should I do (if anything) to prep the panel? I assume get all the wax off of it so the paint can bond...should I wash it with Dawn?



Let the shop worry about that.



Fresh Paint:

1. you can't wax it ..[until]..after 30 days...correct?



INcorrect. Sixty to ninety days minimum (as per paint manufacturers in one of those threads you oughta search for), I usually wait four months. I've experienced the SLOOOOOW hardening first-hand and wouldn't want to interfere with it.



The problem is that waxes/etc. interfere with the outgassing and thus prevent the paint from getting as hard as it would otherwise.




2. Am I still able to wash the panel with my regular shampoo after painted? (TW Ice) Will it hurt it AT ALL? I'm asking b/c the "Paint Clinic" says "During the first thirty days after the paintwork, you shouldn't use any CHEMICALS on the fresh paint."



I dunno if the ICE leaves stuff behind or not. Use a "straight" shampoo...I use Griot's, but Meg's #62 and #00 are OK too.

3. Polish: I was planning on doing a full detail to the car which added polishing this time around. My polishes I am getting are the 1Z Paint Polish and some Meg's #80. I know that the 1Z has silicone additives in it, not sure about the #80. my question is am I able to polish the paint with a silicone-containing polish or will I have to wait till after the 30 days?



It's not the silicone, it's the wax (silicones cause different problems, primarily problems for the *painter* not for you) So don't use the 1Z PP for this, use the #80 instead. But note that the paint might be too soft for #80 for a while (I've experienced this) so try small areas and be prepared to wait for the paint to harden up some more.



I talked to the guy who did my estimate about the paint process and he did say that they DO bake the paint, if that helps at all.



All the above was assuming the paint is baked.



Any other precautions I left out that you can think of are greatly appreciated! :)



Get some Meg's #5 to use on the paint while it's curing.
 
Accumulator said:
This really is worth the dreaded search as we've covered it in detail many, many times ;)



oops. :(



Accumulator said:
INcorrect. Sixty to ninety days minimum (as per paint manufacturers in one of those threads you oughta search for), I usually wait four months. I've experienced the SLOOOOOW hardening first-hand and wouldn't want to interfere with it.



yea, guess it is better to play it safe and wait longer.



EDIT: I did a search and found the curing time a former member here said for the DuPont paint the shop is going to use:

mirrorfinishman said:
Dated 12-5-05:

3- Dupont Corp., Lionville, PA.

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. Dupont standard of waiting 90 to 120 days includes all of their automotive paint lines.
...i assume this info is still up-to-date? Here's the link: Paint Cure Time Not Necessary - Page 2 - Autopia.org



Accumulator said:
I dunno if the ICE leaves stuff behind or not. Use a "straight" shampoo...I use Griot's, but Meg's #62 and #00 are OK too.



...guess i'll have to add that to my list of supplies when I order. :)





Accumulator said:
It's not the silicone, it's the wax (silicones cause different problems, primarily problems for the *painter* not for you) So don't use the 1Z PP for this, use the #80 instead. But note that the paint might be too soft for #80 for a while (I've experienced this) so try small areas and be prepared to wait for the paint to harden up some more.



guess i'll probably put off the detail for a bit then. I assume the awhile would probably be the 60-90 day cure period?



Accumulator said:


Get some Meg's #5 to use on the paint while it's curing.



Would #7 work just as well? The reason I ask is b/c I can get #7 locally whereas #5 I can't. When I apply it, should I use a foam or MF bonnet for my RO? I guess 1 application should last me through the curing time or should I apply it more often than that?
 
99GrandAM said:
..........Would #7 work just as well? The reason I ask is b/c I can get #7 locally whereas #5 I can't........
Yeah, you can use #7, but #5 is a lot easier and I'm sure you can find some #5 in Dayton. If the place you can buy #7 can't order some #5 for you then try the dealer locator:



meguiars.com: Dealer Locator



Just make sure you select Meguiar's Professional Products or you'll get a list of every Wal-Mart, Target, etc.. Even if a dealer doesn't stock #5 they can usually order it and have it in 24-48hrs.
When I apply it, should I use a foam or MF bonnet for my RO?
Below is a link on how to use #7 if you decide to stay with that:



http://www.autopia.org/forum/detailing-articles-videos/23740-meguiar-s-7-mike-phillips.html



With #5 I usually just apply by hand with a soft foam applicator, let it dry to a haze, and then buff off with a soft MF.
I guess 1 application should last me through the curing time or should I apply it more often than that?
Unfortunately one application will only last through one or two rains or a car wash. The good news is that #5 is so easy to use it is almost a pleasure to apply/remove.
 
99GrandAM said:
..

.. I assume the awhile [for the paint to harden] would probably be the 60-90 day cure period?



Yeah, but it'll be hard enough to polish before that...probably around the 6 week point or even sooner.







Would #7 work just as well as #5]? The reason I ask is b/c I can get #7 locally whereas #5 I can't. When I apply it, should I use a foam or MF bonnet for my RO? I guess 1 application should last me through the curing time or should I apply it more often than that?



Yeah, any of Meg's "pure polishes" (#3/#5/#7/#81/Deep Crystal step #2 Polish) will be OK. I'd apply/remove #7 by hand. There's a good how-to around here somewhere...
 
Eliot Ness said:
Yeah, you can use #7, but #5 is a lot easier and I'm sure you can find some #5 in Dayton. If the place you can buy #7 can't order some #5 for you then try the dealer locator:



Well, I tried the dealer locater and all the numbers supplied are disconnected. The local place I mentioned was the local Autozone. Needless to say I've been trying SO HARD, making dozens of calls these past few weeks to find a local dealer but every thing I try turns up dry. It makes me so mad. :( My only option is so far is to order all my supplies online. If that's the case I'll probably just order some #5 online as well.






Thanks for this! helps a lot if i decide to go with #7.



Unfortunately one application will only last through one or two rains or a car wash. The good news is that #5 is so easy to use it is almost a pleasure to apply/remove.

Alrite, thats good to know. If its pretty easy, I really don't mind applying a little after every wash. :)



Accumulator said:
it'll be hard enough to polish before that...probably around the 6 week point or even sooner.

Alrighty, thats also good to know. Means I can probably squeeze 1 full detail in before the winter hits here. :D



Yeah, any of Meg's "pure polishes" will be OK. I'd apply/remove #7 by hand. There's a good how-to around here somewhere...

Ok, thanks. I'll search for that how-to.
 
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