question about paint curing. how long before i can wax a new car?

Pauly · 03-19-2012, 10:51 AM

ive been told that it takes paint several months to cure, and that you should not wax for several months. thing is, how long did the car sit on the lot? and maybe this is not even true. i had a truck i bought new, i waxed it and it looked like smeared clear coat. could be that it was black and although i was careful, black is such a P I T A to keep perfect. i dunno so im asking the experts here lol

scottIN · 03-19-2012, 12:38 PM

The paint is cured when it comes from the factory. Wax away. Only time you have to be careful about are repaints / sprays since they're usually not baked.

Pauly · 03-19-2012, 01:06 PM

+1 to you kind sir

fuct · 03-19-2012, 02:50 PM

i also suggest you read a few topics from the junkman in the auto detail section. just dont throw wax on a washed car..... you are missing sssooooooo many steps!

simota1 · 03-19-2012, 03:37 PM

paint cures to touch within hours and can be buffed within 24 hours..... ive seen many shops around here do this.... HOWEVER i personally dont like to do this... i like waiting at LEAST one week before i buff a car... the best time though and the paint is absolutely dry is one month.... waxing a car though shouldnt do any harm on a new paint job because your not applying alot of pressure only your hand....

cabotgsxr · 03-20-2012, 06:41 PM

I work at a collision center. Fresh pant needs 30 days to cure. It does not need to be pressure washed or wax during that 30 day time period. Reason being for not waxing it is because paint actually breath's. The solvent that is used in the paint is still evaporating for up to and around 30 days. If you put a nice coat of wax on it your actually preventing the paint from being able to release the solvents.

Pauly · 03-20-2012, 07:39 PM

thanks to all of you

03-19-2012, 10:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pauly Track Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Lafayette, La Posts: 645 Drives: and parks Rep Power: 14	question about paint curing. how long before i can wax a new car? ive been told that it takes paint several months to cure, and that you should not wax for several months. thing is, how long did the car sit on the lot? and maybe this is not even true. i had a truck i bought new, i waxed it and it looked like smeared clear coat. could be that it was black and although i was careful, black is such a P I T A to keep perfect. i dunno so im asking the experts here lol

03-19-2012, 03:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
simota1 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dededo, Guam Posts: 6,642 Drives: solid red 370z 6mt Rep Power: 405	paint cures to touch within hours and can be buffed within 24 hours..... ive seen many shops around here do this.... HOWEVER i personally dont like to do this... i like waiting at LEAST one week before i buff a car... the best time though and the paint is absolutely dry is one month.... waxing a car though shouldnt do any harm on a new paint job because your not applying alot of pressure only your hand.... __________________ *TOP SECRET/POWERHOUSE AMUSE/ARC/DAYTONA RACING/VARIS/MINES/GANADOR/J-LINE/WORK EMOTION CR KAI/GT SPEC/CARBON SIGNAL/ZOOM ENGINEERING/ CARBON FIBER ELEMENT/STILLEN/*

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03-19-2012, 12:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
scottIN Track Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Castle, Indiana Posts: 764 Drives: '12 370Z Rep Power: 55	The paint is cured when it comes from the factory. Wax away. Only time you have to be careful about are repaints / sprays since they're usually not baked.

03-19-2012, 01:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pauly Track Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Lafayette, La Posts: 645 Drives: and parks Rep Power: 14	+1 to you kind sir

03-19-2012, 02:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 24	i also suggest you read a few topics from the junkman in the auto detail section. just dont throw wax on a washed car..... you are missing sssooooooo many steps!

03-20-2012, 06:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
cabotgsxr Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: ARKANSAS Posts: 40 Drives: 2009 NISSAN 370Z Rep Power: 13	I work at a collision center. Fresh pant needs 30 days to cure. It does not need to be pressure washed or wax during that 30 day time period. Reason being for not waxing it is because paint actually breath's. The solvent that is used in the paint is still evaporating for up to and around 30 days. If you put a nice coat of wax on it your actually preventing the paint from being able to release the solvents.

03-20-2012, 07:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
Pauly Track Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Lafayette, La Posts: 645 Drives: and parks Rep Power: 14	thanks to all of you