How long should I wait?

TRD_Power

TRD_Power

New member
Pretty much just got a whole new front end on my '00 GS400 with new paint and all. The car left the bodyshop about a month ago and I was just wondering how long you all think I should wait before applying some 3M Performance Finish sealant to it. I don't want to harm the new paint at all, so all opinions/advice is welcome!

Thanks
 
TRD_Power said:
Pretty much just got a whole new front end on my '00 GS400 with new paint and all. The car left the bodyshop about a month ago and I was just wondering how long you all think I should wait before applying some 3M Performance Finish sealant to it. I don't want to harm the new paint at all, so all opinions/advice is welcome!

Thanks
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You question has an easy answer but you would not think so if you read this.

http://www.detailcity.org/forums/auto-detailing-101/29161-does-fresh-paint-need-breathe.html
 
Yes, very mixed opinions out there........

Some argue that your new paint must undergo months of rigorous breathing calisthenics before you can even park your car next to a tub of wax <or> you could seal it immediately. Hmmm
 
My question is why rush into it. If a person can't sleep at night thinking their paint is going to fall off because they didn't seal it the second it got home from the body shop, its possible their issues run a little deeper than auto detailing. My opinion, and I don't care what anyone says, wait 2 months then wax your heart out. This is the most over discussed and over thought topic I've ever seen. I mean nothing against you, its just a sore subject for some here.
 
Yup, we all know that painters are the all knowing when it comes to paint and how to keep it looking nice. :D While you’re at it, follow his opinion on what wax to use too. :inspector: And make sure to get his contact number so if he leaves the shop he’s painting at you can chase him down to see if he'll be supporting your warranty coverage. :rofl
 
David Fermani said:
Yup, we all know that painters are the all knowing when it comes to paint and how to keep it looking nice. :D While you’re at it, follow his opinion on what wax to use too. :inspector: And make sure to get his contact number so if he leaves the shop he’s painting at you can chase him down to see if he'll be supporting your warranty coverage. :rofl
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What a smart ass. Dude, there's folks on this forum that take this business seriously and while they may disagree with other views and opinions they aren't out to start fights and make others look like fools. Arrogance and a know it all attitude won't get you far on DC.
 
David Fermani said:
Yup, we all know that painters are the all knowing when it comes to paint and how to keep it looking nice. :D While you’re at it, follow his opinion on what wax to use too. :inspector: And make sure to get his contact number so if he leaves the shop he’s painting at you can chase him down to see if he'll be supporting your warranty coverage. :rofl
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That's a little ridiculous, David.

Just to enlighten you, other professions/professionals that often give advice after they perform a service or you use their product (maybe because they might know just a little something about what it is they did or the stuff they used):

Doctors, dentists, mechanics, physical therapists, chiropractors, dieticians, professors, Sal Zaino, detailers, etc, etc.

Or we could all follow the opinion of a detailer who's not privy to what paint was used, the process that was used, or the shop's policy on warranty or any of the other factors that could have went into the job.

I think I'll listen to some guy on the internet and follow his advice rather than the person who actually may have had a hand in performing the work.

I would venture to think that painters might happen to know a little bit about what they're doing, just as detailers know a bit about how to run a polisher or put sealant on a pad an apply it. Neither area of knowledge is exactly rocket science.

I just don't understand what the big deal is about following the advice of a professional when it comes to something that the professional did.
 
Sorry if I’m coming off too sarcastic. I’m not trying to start a fight here. I’m just trying to discuss real world educated opinions on sealing fresh paint. It’s interesting how so many people that may take this subject serious can’t take someone challenging them to think outside of the box. Being a Professional Detailer since 1990 and being in the Auto Body repair industry for over the last 6 years, I usually try to think for myself on many topics that interest me. But, when I come to a brick wall of knowledge/intelligence , I research and take advise from people who know the facts.

Who would you rather listen and take advice from:
Painter
Body Shop Owner
Detailer
Paint Company Sales Rep
Paint Company Technical Rep
Chemical Company (that offers wax for all fresh paints)
Paint Engineer
 
David Fermani said:
Sorry if I’m coming off too sarcastic. I’m not trying to start a fight here. I’m just trying to discuss real world educated opinions on sealing fresh paint. It’s interesting how so many people that may take this subject serious can’t take someone challenging them to think outside of the box. Being a Professional Detailer since 1990 and being in the Auto Body repair industry for over the last 6 years, I usually try to think for myself on many topics that interest me. But, when I come to a brick wall of knowledge/intelligence , I research and take advise from people who know the facts.

Who would you rather listen and take advice from:
Painter
Body Shop Owner
Detailer
Paint Company Sales Rep
Paint Company Technical Rep
Chemical Company (that offers wax for all fresh paints)
Paint Engineer
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Personally, I'd listen to all of them in hopes to expand my knowledge. I've not really said which way that I believe between the waxing immediately versus waiting - I guess it doesn't really matter all that much. I'm just saying when it comes down to the nitty gritty and my money would be on the line, I'd most likely take the advice of the professional who did the work and had hands on knowledge about my particular case. As I said in the other thread, what can it hurt to be cautious? I suppose I'm looking at this whole ball of wax from a case-specific standpoint versus a general-catch-all ruling view.

Oh, and sarcasm is good. It's one of my favorite hobbies. :cool: I respect your views and work, and even though I don't post much on "the other forum" you post a lot at, I do follow what you (and a few others) have to say because you all have knowledge and views (not always shared, mind you) that help me understand and expand my knowledge base. So don't ever 'not post' here because someone doesn't agree with you. I'm glad to see you posting over here some and hope you keep poking your nose in.
 
JaredPointer said:
Personally, I'd listen to all of them in hopes to expand my knowledge. I've not really said which way that I believe between the waxing immediately versus waiting - I guess it doesn't really matter all that much. I'm just saying when it comes down to the nitty gritty and my money would be on the line, I'd most likely take the advice of the professional who did the work and had hands on knowledge about my particular case. As I said in the other thread, what can it hurt to be cautious? I suppose I'm looking at this whole ball of wax from a case-specific standpoint versus a general-catch-all ruling view.

Oh, and sarcasm is good. It's one of my favorite hobbies. :cool: I respect your views and work, and even though I don't post much on "the other forum" you post a lot at, I do follow what you (and a few others) have to say because you all have knowledge and views (not always shared, mind you) that help me understand and expand my knowledge base. So don't ever 'not post' here because someone doesn't agree with you. I'm glad to see you posting over here some and hope you keep poking your nose in.
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I agree with every single sentence of this post!
 
battles.jpg
 
If, at some point in the near future, a problem developed with a repaint, I'd feel much more comfortable going back to the painter and saying, "I did what you said", instead of, "I did what some guy/gal/whatever in an internet chart forum told me to do."

That's no knock against the advice here, it's simply a good way to CYA.

The painter knows how the paint was cured, the amount of hardener used, etc. They are the only accurate point of information on how/when the paint can be protected.
 
General advice from body shops is to wait 3 months before waxing/sealing. While the paint may be dry, the solvents are still being released. Sealing the paint may prevent the solvents from escaping and cause premature paint failure. You will not see this a week or month after you wax, but perhaps a year or two.

Even Opti-coat says to only rinse with water for a week and use no soaps. If something is going to damage your paint in the first 90 days I don't think there is any wax or sealant that is going to prevent it.

As a detailer for hire I will refuse to wax/seal a car that is less than 90 days from the factory or a repaint. It is not worth the risk of liability when someone's paint fails.
 
When I had a quarter panel painted the body shop gave me a brochure that said to wait 60 days for wax or polish. The brochure was from Martin Senour Automotive Finishes but I assume other paint systems may require less or more time. It was nice to have something in writing from the professionals who did the work.
 
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