Paint care after body work...

MattP725 · 10-13-2011, 11:53 AM

Does anyone have a professional recommendation on how to proceed with caring for fresh paint? I have heard all types of things like no washing for a few days, then only low pressure wash, no wax for a month etc.

Basically my concerns are:
Can I drive my car IMMEDIATELY in the rain (it is a crappy week in NJ)
Can I cover it
Can I wash it
Can I wax it

I am picking it up in 3 hours so a quick response is much appreciated.

kenchan · 10-13-2011, 03:22 PM

unless the paint was baked...

Can I drive my car IMMEDIATELY in the rain (it is a crappy week in NJ) <YES>
Can I cover it <DONT>
Can I wash it <YES, BUT BE VERY CAREFUL PAINT IS SOFT>
Can I wax it <NO>

dennis26 · 10-13-2011, 08:14 PM

No wax for at least 45 days. Glaze only for paint protection.

kellyefields · 10-13-2011, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

unless the paint was baked...

Can I drive my car IMMEDIATELY in the rain (it is a crappy week in NJ) <YES>
Can I cover it <DONT>
Can I wash it <YES, BUT BE VERY CAREFUL PAINT IS SOFT>
Can I wax it <NO>

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis26

No wax for at least 45 days. Glaze only for paint protection.

2004YZFR1 · 10-13-2011, 08:33 PM

You should just ask who ever is painting your car. They painted it and you will have a warranty with them so I would do what they say. Good luck.

spitfire9200 · 10-13-2011, 08:35 PM

my guy uses UV lamps to heat up/bake my paint after he sprays it, and actually waxes it for me right after.

Just talk to who ever painted it to be safe

MattP725 · 10-13-2011, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2004YZFR1

You should just ask who ever is painting your car. They painted it and you will have a warranty with them so I would do what they say. Good luck.

You're absolutely right but sometimes I would rather err on the side of caution and just extend the after care process... general concensus is 30ish days before wax... given that winter is approaching I might just leave it unwaxed for a month or two since it will spend a lot more time in the garage (not my DD).

They did give me a warranty form so I might have care instructions on it. Unfort the actual owner was either gone or working on a car so all I had was the secretary who I wouldn't really trust for advise on the care.

Warranty is lifetime btw which I thought was a good deal.

Junkman2008 · 10-16-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

unless the paint was baked...

All paint jobs are "baked" today, unless you are painting it in your garage as I did when I fixed my wreck. I allowed it to air dry, and it did in 48 hours.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

Can I wash it <YES, BUT BE VERY CAREFUL PAINT IS SOFT>

Once the paint has dried, it is no longer "soft". It doesn't take days to dry, only hours depending on the paint.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis26

No wax for at least 45 days. Glaze only for paint protection.

Glaze is a paint damage filler, not a protectant. Wax is a protectant.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2004YZFR1

You should just ask who ever is painting your car. They painted it and you will have a warranty with them so I would do what they say. Good luck.

BINGO, BINGO, BINGO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattP725

You're absolutely right but sometimes I would rather err on the side of caution and just extend the after care process...

That's fine, but talk to the painter. He knows best, period.

10-13-2011, 11:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
MattP725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 16	Paint care after body work... Does anyone have a professional recommendation on how to proceed with caring for fresh paint? I have heard all types of things like no washing for a few days, then only low pressure wash, no wax for a month etc. Basically my concerns are: Can I drive my car IMMEDIATELY in the rain (it is a crappy week in NJ) Can I cover it Can I wash it Can I wax it I am picking it up in 3 hours so a quick response is much appreciated.

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10-13-2011, 03:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	unless the paint was baked... Can I drive my car IMMEDIATELY in the rain (it is a crappy week in NJ) <YES> Can I cover it <DONT> Can I wash it <YES, BUT BE VERY CAREFUL PAINT IS SOFT> Can I wax it <NO>

10-13-2011, 08:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
dennis26 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 314 Drives: 10 370z roadster Rep Power: 13	No wax for at least 45 days. Glaze only for paint protection.

10-13-2011, 08:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
2004YZFR1 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Las Vegas Nevada Posts: 308 Drives: 09 370Z yellow,auto Rep Power: 15	You should just ask who ever is painting your car. They painted it and you will have a warranty with them so I would do what they say. Good luck.

10-13-2011, 08:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
spitfire9200 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Reston, VA Posts: 390 Drives: 13' E92 M3 Rep Power: 15	my guy uses UV lamps to heat up/bake my paint after he sprays it, and actually waxes it for me right after. Just talk to who ever painted it to be safe