Newb question: New paint

[GConn]

I had a little accident with my new car and my rear bumper is getting replaced. The rest of the car has 2-3 layers of sealant. I detailed my car 1 month before the accident.

So, for the freshly painted parts, should I wait for some time before treating them with clay/polish/wax or is it ok to do them straight away?

Thanks!

[Joseph Thomas]

Re: Newb question: New paint

Sorry about your accident. You can use clay and polish on your freshly painted surface. However, you must let the paint 'breathe' before applying wax.

Typically, you need to wait 60 to 90 days before applying any wax to the surface.

[GConn]

Re: Newb question: New paint

Thanks Joseph. I guess the new paint will have to get through a tough summer before it gets treated then

[Alex C.]

Re: Newb question: New paint

So it's just the rear bumper that's getting replaced/repainted? Do you know if they bake the parts after paint? Either way as said, give it AT LEAST two months before sealing it. Three months is best.

[GConn]

Re: Newb question: New paint

Two parts will be replaced, the rear bumper and the rear diffuser. I don't really know if they are baking it. The parts are both plastic, so I guess that will rule out the baking process? I am not really an expert

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Newb question: New paint

You can use clay and polish on your freshly painted surface. However, you must let the paint 'breathe' before applying wax.

And for everyone reading this into the future, there's an article that discusses in depth the idea of letting your paint breathe in our Hot Topics
forum here,

Paint Needs to Breathe

[GConn]

Re: Newb question: New paint

Thanks for the link Mike, but reading your article created a simple question in my mind (I am not an expert, so sorry if this sounds stupid! )

Does the clearcoat applied after the paint allow the thinner to evaporate?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Newb question: New paint

Does the clearcoat applied after the paint allow the thinner to evaporate?

Each coat of paint is allowed flash time, that is time for most of the solvents or other carrying agents to evaporate off before the next coating or layer is sprayed. Painters are familiar with their paint systems, their specific paint booth characteristics and their own style to allow the appropriate amount of time to pass before each next coat.

The final coat or top coat will dry and anything that can exit the paint will exit the paint within usually the first few days depending upon the paint system.

Full hardness which is a result of full drying and curing is assumed to be achieved after a approximate 30 days of air cure.

All major paint manufactures recommend at least 30 days air cure before the paint is sealed with a wax or paint sealant.

On detailing discussion forums you'll find forum members stating their opinion that you can wax or apply a paint sealant to fresh paint in less than 30 days. I've seen people post you can seal fresh paint within a day or two of being painted with no problems.

They usually cite that moder paints are chemically cured somewhat like a 2-part epoxy glue hardens and that after 24 hours, or a few days, or whatever it is the person will state in their opinion, you are then safe to apply a wax or paint sealant.

While at some level they may be right about the paint chemically curing, there are still ingredients out-gassing from fresh paint. Here's and easy test using the KISS method to demonstrate this to yourself.

After your car is painted, usually a day or two will go by before you are asked to pick up your car and take it home. So the paint is cured for a day or two or however many days your car is at the shop before you take it home.

After you get the car home, park it in your garage and close the garage door and leave the car to sit for a few hours and then go back out into the garage and smell the air.

What do you think it's going to smell like? Fresh paint?

(What do you think is in the air that is imparting the scent to your nose?)


Anyway, I'm not a chemist but common sense tells me if I'm having my car painted, then after that kind of investment of both time, work and money, plus preparation to have the car down and drive something else, that if the paint manufacture tells the painter to tell me to wait 30 days before sealing the paint with a car wax or paint sealant, then I'm going to take their advice over the advice of an anonymous person posting under a forum nickname.

Besides all that... what's the big hurry? If you have the option of leaving the car in a garage or covered structure for about a month instead of putting the car back into service as a daily driver then you don't need to worry about waxing it anyways.

If you have to put it back into service as a daily driver right a way the simply keep it clean with car wash soap and water so dirt doesn't accumulated and stick to the surface. You can also use a quick detailer and some premium quality microfiber polishing cloths to keep the new paint clean.

If you like, apply a pure polish during this 30 days, it will make the paint look great and give you something to do.

[GConn]

Re: Newb question: New paint

Thanks Mike! This is a lot of useful info for me

[Mean Green]

Re: Newb question: New paint

Hi:

I recently got my bumber touched up. The repair shop tols me to allow a month at 70 degrees or above before applying wax or sealant so that I would not have problems with the paint later on.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Newb question: New paint

Hi:

I recently got my bumber touched up. The repair shop tols me to allow a month at 70 degrees or above before applying wax or sealant so that I would not have problems with the paint later on.

That's kind of the general recommendation.

If you haven't already, give this thread a read-through...

Paint Needs to Breathe