Detailing a Freshly Painted Car
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From: Los Angelos
Detailing a Freshly Painted Car
The bumper and some other minor parts on my car have been painted and i wanted to know if its OK to go ahead and have the car detailed. Does a certain time period need to pass before a painted part should be polished/waxed?
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It's typically recommended to wait 30 - 90 days before applying any wax, sealant or other product with protective characteristics. This gives the paint enough time to let out solvents that would otherwise be trapped in the clear coat if you wax, seal, etc. The only way that I know there is less time needed is if the paint was baked after it was applied. This is only common on brand new cars on the assembly line, pretty uncommon for most body shops.
Greg @ Detailed Image
Greg @ Detailed Image
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 566
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From: Los Angelos
It's typically recommended to wait 30 - 90 days before applying any wax, sealant or other product with protective characteristics. This gives the paint enough time to let out solvents that would otherwise be trapped in the clear coat if you wax, seal, etc. The only way that I know there is less time needed is if the paint was baked after it was applied. This is only common on brand new cars on the assembly line, pretty uncommon for most body shops.
Greg @ Detailed Image
Greg @ Detailed Image
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Covina
1957 Chevy
The addition of a wax or sealant to your finish doesn’t protect it from swirls. Some wax will make the paint look nice due in part to the ability to fill swirls.
Your car can be completely detailed ASAP. The paint can be polished as well. As a matter of fact the bodyshop that painted you car have probably polished the freshly painted panels already.
Detail your paint as you normally would with the exception of topping the fresh paint with wax. Use a glaze instead. As stated above wait 90 days before waxing the refinished panels.
Your car can be completely detailed ASAP. The paint can be polished as well. As a matter of fact the bodyshop that painted you car have probably polished the freshly painted panels already.
Detail your paint as you normally would with the exception of topping the fresh paint with wax. Use a glaze instead. As stated above wait 90 days before waxing the refinished panels.
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From: Chicago, IL
Kawasaki
+1 to what Jose said... many people misinterpret the function of the wax/sealant on the paint... most are there to protect against UV rays, rain leaving waterspots, bird sh*t etching itself into the paint QUICKER (I say quicker because bird **** is pretty much the worst thing that can happen to your paint, and it WILL go through wax into the paint, just not as fast)... wax will not help avoid swirls whatsoever during those improper washing and drying sessions
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Greg @ Detailed Image
