Sealant cure time

**imported_broker99** · 06-16-2009, 08:50 PM

What happens if you do not allow a sealant to cure? Do you lose all the durability? For example if you applied a sealant then went right to a carnauba base wax over top of the sealant. What if you did not have 8-12 for the sealant to cure?

**Old Pirate** · 06-16-2009, 08:58 PM

All your doing is moving the first layer around and/or removing it. Try to let it cure for some time before putting another coat (4-6 hrs). Some sealant`s have a shorter or longer cure time before laying another coat or putting your favorite wax or you can just put one coat on and just leave it that.

**Todd@RUPES** · 06-16-2009, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by broker99

What happens if you do not allow a sealant to cure? Do you lose all the durability? For example if you applied a sealant then went right to a carnauba base wax over top of the sealant. What if you did not have 8-12 for the sealant to cure?

I think the ultimate answer is that it depends on the particular sealant. As a sealant `cures` the polymers `interlock` (for simplistic understanding). ALL carnauba waxes, regardless of hyperbole or myth, use some type of solvent to make them applicable to the paint. The question is how does the addition of oils, solvent, and friction (from the application) effect the interlocking of the polymers?

It is my understanding that the majority of the curing takes place fairly quickly, within minutes of application (for most polymers). Low temperatures and high humidity and can drastically lengthen curing time. Think of it like a bend in the road, the sign says 30 MPH, but they have to take in to account that top heavy Big Rigs are making that turn as well as modern Ferrari`s. Surely in the Ferrari you could take the corner much faster, but you have to be safe for everybody.

The best rule of thumb is to wait as long as possible before applying another coat of any product.