I was once told that I shouldn't put any cleaner/polish/wax/polymer coating on a new car less than 6 month old. Something to do with the curing of the new paint. Is that true?

 

30 days is what I have always heard for waxing. A strictly "polish" should be OK anytime as it does not seal the paint as wax/polymers do.

 

that is (i think) definitely a myth.

you can put a coat on as soon as you get it. modern paints are factory cured in <48 hours thru the use of catalysts. source=Sal Zaino

in fact, when you get the car, it should already have a coat of wax on from the dealer's detailing. well, at least, mine was.

 

No offence, but I would never have a dealer touch my paint, let alone trust them to wax or otherwise “seal the paint”. I intentionally asked my dealer to NOT wash the car and immediately upon delivery rinsed (cool water) and washed (Ph neutral soap w/ no scrubbing) for the first 2 months.

I’ve been quite happy with the results and have not experienced any “rust spots” that are due to industrial fallout, rail dust, etc. I’ll agree with the bake on process curing time, but you should still be cautious with you paint for the first few months. In addition, "David N". is quite an expert in this area, so maybe you should post a specific question to him, especially regarding the "A.B.C" chemical neutralizers available.

 

How can I direct a post to David N.? or ask him to take a look at this post...

Sorry I am still learning how to post with full features of this forum.

 

young, not that long ago I had a very expensive paint job performed on a show car. The paint was modern catalyst inspired and the finish was oven cured. I was told that at least 30 days are required for the solvents to leach out of the paint and one shouldn't attempt to seal the paint before that time. I'll stick with the old "myth". But then again, I am from the old school and prefer to use fine hand poilish and regular applications of supreme quality carnauba rather than new fangled polymer coatings. The polymers remind me of putting a product such as Future floor wax on the surface. I know this isn't the case, it's just how I feel. And, I don't wish to start a flame war about it.

In the case of waxing a new Mercedes, it will most likely be over 30 days from build date to when it arrives on these shores, so the time frame has expired.

 

(putting flame thrower on! chk-chk! )

eh, i don't know about paints or anything. it just sounds like a lot of voodoo especially when friends tell me their friends said not to put wax on during the 1st month. i just can't imagine the paint being so sensitive these days - i've included sal's 2 day curing process and the month of shipping or more before the end consumer gets the car. w/out a scientific or objective study, my personal attitude is to be skeptical.

actually, this whole thing is not a big deal at all to me. i just wanted to share what i sort of found out when i got my car and my friends were telling me all kinds of stuff (much of it wrong). i asked sal zaino about this exact thing - and he got into how he's been a paint specialist for 40 years, paints & catalysts, blah blah blah, and that it was necessary to put the polymer coat as soon as you get your car to protect it from the elements (w/ zaino of course).

so in conclusion, i don't know, sal may know, you may know; do what you feel comfortable w/.

__

i found sal's email reply to me:
<font size=2><b>Thank You for your interest in Zaino Bros' Show Car Polish Products.

I am a custom painter by trade for over thirty years.
I am very familar with Dupont and PPG and all other paints.

Todays paint technology uses a chemical reaction caused by a catalyst
to cure the paint. Factory paint is fully cured in 36 to 48 hours.

Zaino contains no Wax, Harmful Silicones or Abrasives.....

The funny thing is that this same dealer who tells you to wait 30 days
before waxing, usually puts a coat of wax on your car when he preps
it. Sounds a little contradicting. Don't you think???

Polish your car as soon as you get it. That factory paint is already
cured and needs protection against airborne contaminants and UV rays. </b></font>

 

Right on!!!