New Paint Care

[CTDiesel]

How long should the paint cure before applying a sealant like AJT? I`ve been told to wait anywhere from 30-90 days, but I really think this timeframe does not apply for a modern bc/cc paint system.

[imported_JoshVette]

New cars are typically heat cured at the plant..... you can wax/seal them straight after you buy it.



If you`re talking about repainting, then I`d wait 30-60 days for it to cure. If colder out, a bit longer.

[Accumulator]

There`s a thread about this where MirrorFinishMan spoke directly with the paint manufacturers (and there are a zillion other threads on this topic too ;) ).



Repaint, baked or not- wait at least 90-120 days minimum. I usually wait at least four months and sometimes more.



Factory paint- go ahead and wax right away. It`s completely different stuff compared with aftermarket paint, different formulation, baked at a much higher temperature too.

[ricka]

Question on glazing and new repainted hood.



I`ve used either Meguiar`s #5 and #7 after washing with ONR but curious if it really matters. I notice zero difference appearance-wise on the metallic silver and since glazes have zero protective capabilities and little durability, its my impression that applying it is simply a waste of time.



Beginning to think its just a stop-gap to satisfy my waxing jones until the paint outgassing is complete (I do love to wax).



Any thoughts?

[Accumulator]

Question on glazing and new repainted hood.



I`ve used either Meguiar`s #5 and #7 after washing with ONR but curious if it really matters. I notice zero difference appearance-wise on the metallic silver and since glazes have zero protective capabilities and little durability, its my impression that applying it is simply a waste of time...Any thoughts?



I believe that glazes *do* provide some degree of protection, minimal though it may be. Any sacrificial layer is better than nothing IMO (e.g., sure wouldn`t want a bird bomb on utterly bare paint if I could have it on top of glaze instead).



When I did some experiments claying through #5, it took a little doing to get through it (with Sonus green clay), so I read that as indicating that it was leaving more stuff behind than I would have expected. And I notice different surface characteristics (slickness, some differences in beading, etc.) between glazed/not areas. Some of these differences were even visible after a *very* gentle wash (say, with something like Meg`s #00), though it`s a good idea to redo the glazing after any wash.



If nothing else, [stuff] doesn`t adhere as well when the paint is glazed because those Trade Secret Oils are on top of the paint.

[ricka]

Accumulator;



I guess that does make some sense. And even though the hood has a nice clear coat covering (so not literally bare paint exposed) it probably doesn`t hurt having something on it.



Boy, 2-3 months not waxing is gonna be tough!

[dmcphee07SI]

i had to get a new hood and bumper for my civic this fall. The body shop was using Dupont paint and baking it to cure and they said wait 2 weeks before putting a clear bra on for it to cure. I am pretty sure they put some kind of wax on it tho because my hood beaded just as good as the rest of my car and it had a 3 week old coat of Natty`s blue on it.

[Saintlysins]

I back “Accumulator’s� replies regarding glazing and wait times – although I wouldn’t go more than 90 days unless it’s one of those custom paint jobs with multiple layers of colors, those take forever to completely gas-off and cure.

[Lowejackson]

.....Boy, 2-3 months not waxing is gonna be tough!



But you still have the engine, wheels, tyres, interior, exhaust, wheel wells, lights, glass, trim, suspension etc to clean in the mean time

[GlossyTundra]

Zaino and OCW are safe to use on re-paints. I used it on my truck one week after I got it painted, no problems.

[Accumulator]

...the hood has a nice clear coat covering (so not literally bare paint exposed) it probably doesn`t hurt having something on it.



Ah, but remember that the clearcoat *is* your paint ;) Anything you can do to protect it will stave off having to polish it, and polishing it will *eventually* thin it. It`s not like you can use up all the clearcoat; if you remove ~0.05 mil (that`s only .0005") it will be subject to failure.




i had to get a new hood and bumper for my civic this fall. The body shop was using Dupont paint and baking it to cure and they said wait 2 weeks before putting a clear bra on for it to cure. I am pretty sure they put some kind of wax on it tho because my hood beaded just as good as the rest of my car and it had a 3 week old coat of Natty`s blue on it.



Fresh paint is nice and smooth, with no surface flaws (well, it *oughta* be at least :D ), so yeah, it`ll bead water. Any glaze will do that too. So it`s not like they *must`ve* waxed it.



IIRC 3M says to wait 6 months before applying the PPF. IIRC#2 Dupont was one of the companies MirrorFinishMan queried when he got the straight story about how long it takes for paint to *really* cure.

[dmcphee07SI]

it was nice and smooth until i put the lights on it, then i saw the swirls lol, my hood is alright but my bumper looks like the used steel wool , the bumper is alot softer than my hood aswell? must not of baked them the same i guess

[Accumulator]

it was nice and smooth until i put the lights on it, then i saw the swirls lol, my hood is alright but my bumper looks like the used steel wool , the bumper is alot softer than my hood aswell? must not of baked them the same i guess



It seems odd that the bumper`s paint is so much softer than that on the hood. Hope they even out as the paint cures :think: Also hope the marring on the bumper isn`t under the paint and starting to show through as the paint cures.

[BobD]

Wait wait wait! My painter told me it was 100% safe to wax the car the day I picked it up so I listened to him. My paint NEVER cured properly. The clear was so soft a year later cotton ball dropped on the paint would scratch it, not literally but close!

[dmcphee07SI]

its safe to polish fresh paint right? i am not sure why the bumper is softer either, i thought maybe they didn`t bake it because it was plastic but baked the hood. They did a good job at painting the parts its just they got covered with dust sitting in the shop after and didn`t wash them good. If they are under the clear they are going to be repainting them, but i am pretty sure it wont be needed. How long does it take for clear to fully harden?