Car Repainted - When to wax/polish?

[mattya802]

Hey guys, I did a search on this topic and didn't find any recent posts about it. The only one I found was about 3 years ago:

The key to fresh paint is this...

1) Wash it carefully during this time, and make sure you are using only the cleanest / newest materials (Towels, mitts, etc...)

2) You can use any paint cleaner or polish right away and as often as you wish during this time. In fact, we would recommend applying a polish right away away !!! (Deep Crystal Step # 2, M-80 Speed Glaze are 2 great choices)

3) Keep the paint looking its best using Quik Detailer or your favorite mist and wipe product during this time as well.

4) Wait approx. 60 days, then you can apply any type of protection you wish

Hope this helps !

Mike

Does #2 still hold true today? I know there are newer products out and M80 isn't widely used anymore...Is there something else I should use on the car as soon as I get it back? 30-90 days before wax, right?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Murr1525]

Re: Car Repainted - When to wax/polish?

You can still wash, clay, clean, or polish right away.

#80 may be best as it has a protective polymer in it.

[akimel]

Re: Car Repainted - When to wax/polish?

The most important question is, Did you receive a warranty from the body shop that re-painted your vehicle? What does this warranty require of you? The body shop I have used (alas, I have had to had more than a few panels repainted on my Luthien) insists that one does not apply a wax until 90 days has past. This is probably overkill, but I'm not about to void the warranty. What does your warranty specify?

As far as cleaning and polishing the paint, the question is, What is your goal? Are you polishing the paint to remove swirls?

[bmrfan]

Re: Car Repainted - When to wax/polish?

You should really consult with the shop who did the paint work because different brands & types of paint will have different time before you can wax.

Several years back, I had a fender repainted on my BMW 330i (2 stage paint) and the painter recommended waiting 30 days before waxing.

Last year, I repainted the front of my '72 Tii with a single-stage enamel and the painter recommended 60 days before waxing.

HTH

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Car Repainted - When to wax/polish?

As the others have stated. Check with your painter. The general rule is 45-90 days.

[Shawn T.]

Re: Car Repainted - When to wax/polish?

I had to wait 90 days.

[mattya802]

Re: Car Repainted - When to wax/polish?

Alright thanks guys. It's getting it done by Honda as I had the dreaded Crow's Feet all over my hood. I'll ask them Monday morning when I drop the car off what they recommend. Even softer, soft Honda paint

Guess I gotta be REAL careful! lol

As far as cleaning and polishing the paint, the question is, What is your goal? Are you polishing the paint to remove swirls?

Not sure, don't have the car back yet! Just got the car a week or two ago and was planning on doing a full detail this weekend, but if I could include the hood the following week I would wait...Looks like the answer is I can't so I'll just do the rest of the car 2moro! First time with my new DA


Actually, because the hood is being repainted the next day it works out perfect! Means, I can sorta learn on the hood without worrying much about it. Never used M105/M205 before, so it'll be good to be able to test it out...Maybe I'll tape off some areas and use different products and take pics to post up here too