Nissan 370Z Forum - Paint care after body work...

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Paint care after body work...

Does anyone have a professional recommendation on how to proceed with caring for fresh paint? I have heard all types of things like no washing for a few days, then only low pressure wash, no wax for a month etc.

Basically my concerns are:
Can I drive my car IMMEDIATELY in the rain (it is a crappy week in NJ)
Can I cover it
Can I wash it
Can I wax it

I am picking it up in 3 hours so a quick response is much appreciated.

unless the paint was baked...

Can I drive my car IMMEDIATELY in the rain (it is a crappy week in NJ) <YES>
Can I cover it <DONT>
Can I wash it <YES, BUT BE VERY CAREFUL PAINT IS SOFT>
Can I wax it <NO>

No wax for at least 45 days. Glaze only for paint protection.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan (Post 1357321)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis26 (Post 1357940)

No wax for at least 45 days. Glaze only for paint protection.

:iagree::tup:

You should just ask who ever is painting your car. They painted it and you will have a warranty with them so I would do what they say. Good luck.

my guy uses UV lamps to heat up/bake my paint after he sprays it, and actually waxes it for me right after.

Just talk to who ever painted it to be safe

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2004YZFR1 (Post 1357987)

You should just ask who ever is painting your car. They painted it and you will have a warranty with them so I would do what they say. Good luck.

You're absolutely right but sometimes I would rather err on the side of caution and just extend the after care process... general concensus is 30ish days before wax... given that winter is approaching I might just leave it unwaxed for a month or two since it will spend a lot more time in the garage (not my DD).

They did give me a warranty form so I might have care instructions on it. Unfort the actual owner was either gone or working on a car so all I had was the secretary who I wouldn't really trust for advise on the care.

Warranty is lifetime btw which I thought was a good deal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan (Post 1357321)

unless the paint was baked...

All paint jobs are "baked" today, unless you are painting it in your garage as I did when I fixed my wreck. I allowed it to air dry, and it did in 48 hours.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan (Post 1357321)

Can I wash it <YES, BUT BE VERY CAREFUL PAINT IS SOFT>

Once the paint has dried, it is no longer "soft". It doesn't take days to dry, only hours depending on the paint.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis26 (Post 1357940)

No wax for at least 45 days. Glaze only for paint protection.

Glaze is a paint damage filler, not a protectant. Wax is a protectant.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2004YZFR1 (Post 1357987)

You should just ask who ever is painting your car. They painted it and you will have a warranty with them so I would do what they say. Good luck.

BINGO, BINGO, BINGO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattP725 (Post 1358238)

You're absolutely right but sometimes I would rather err on the side of caution and just extend the after care process...

That's fine, but talk to the painter. He knows best, period.