Just got it back from the shop last night. fresh paint on about 80% of the car.

what is the best way to care for the fresh paint? wax without cleaner, paint sealant?

the car was baked so that should help with the curing process but I'm a n00b when it comes to what is proper fresh paint care.

thanks,
Ron

I wouldn’t touch it for at least 30 days; this is what I’ve been told when I’ve had paint work done. I’d ask the body shop directly.

just make sure you keep it clean. by that i mean, trying to clay it once a month and putting some wax on afterwards.

although i tend to go a bit overboard. i clay/polish/wax my car every 2 weeks. :eek:

if you take care of it now, then it will be less and less difficult/time consuming to wash it/wax it later. :)

do you need product names and what's a good wax?

-mike

well the washing is a no brainer but the waxing/polishing bit has me a bit off.

I was thinking of just washing it down (it rained last night as you know) and then going to town on it with a non-cleaner wax product from 3m.

what would you use?

-Ron

Just got it back from the shop last night. fresh paint on about 80% of the car.

what is the best way to care for the fresh paint? wax without cleaner, paint sealant?

the car was baked so that should help with the curing process but I'm a n00b when it comes to what is proper fresh paint care.

thanks,
Ron

The only reason the car is "baked" in the booth is to speed up the drying process so they can get it out of the booth faster and out the door so they can paint more cars. Doesn't really make a difference in how you treat it, though. I'll agree with others and suggest you ask the shop that painted it what to do and when. May depend on the brand of paint/clear they used.

The only reason the car is "baked" in the booth is to speed up the drying process so they can get it out of the booth faster and out the door so they can paint more cars. Doesn't really make a difference in how you treat it, though. I'll agree with others and suggest you ask the shop that painted it what to do and when. May depend on the brand of paint/clear they used.
dupont paints....I'll get more details today.

thanks. :)

just make sure you keep it clean. by that i mean, trying to clay it once a month and putting some wax on afterwards.

although i tend to go a bit overboard. i clay/polish/wax my car every 2 weeks. :eek:

if you take care of it now, then it will be less and less difficult/time consuming to wash it/wax it later. :)

do you need product names and what's a good wax?

-mike

everytime you polish that car, you are taking the clear coat off the car.

general rule of thumb just soap and water for the first week or so and after that you can wax into about the 3rd or 4th week. so Yes 30 days or shortly there after before you start with waxing and such.

the shop didn't give u indication what to do?

the shop didn't give u indication what to do?
I didn't ask. :dunno

Ron,

Why did it need painting? :confused Any luck with getting the trunk fixed?

I have heard the same as above..about 30 days with nothing but washing and then after that it can be waxed.

Rich,

got the rear fixed beautifully and had the entire front clip repainted while it was at the shop. the only thing not painted on the car where the a/b pillars, driver's side door and the roof. :D

-Ron

my body shop said no waxing for teh first 90 days when I got my car repainted...

Just water for 30 days, keep it outside, out of the sun, and get it wetsanded and buffed in 4-6 weeks when it's completely dry. Wax is okay a month or two after the wet sand. DO NOT CLAY IT!!! And remember, MICROFIBER TOWELS ONLY. NO SPONGE, NO PAPER TOWEL, NO CHAMOIS. Say it with me, MICRO FIBER. :stickoutt Good luck man, and post some pictures.

rule of thumb is no wax/polish for at least 30 days...to be safe, I would go 90 days. Then after that, I would clay, polish and/or wax.

i was helping a friend dry his car using paper towels. he used turtlewax soap and did a good job with the water. when we dried it using micro fiber towels he prewashed himself, it felt gritty. the towels were namebrand and labelled for car care. is that grit feeling normal even when he soaped it well?

Just water for 30 days, keep it outside, out of the sun, and get it wetsanded and buffed in 4-6 weeks when it's completely dry. Wax is okay a month or two after the wet sand. DO NOT CLAY IT!!! And remember, MICROFIBER TOWELS ONLY. NO SPONGE, NO PAPER TOWEL, NO CHAMOIS. Say it with me, MICRO FIBER. :stickoutt Good luck man, and post some pictures.

paper towels? :confused

carnuba wax is the only wax that should be applied to new paint
You want to stay away from anything abrasive. Make sure you buy a full stock of microfiber towls and throw out those shitty white terryperries. Make sure that you keep them clean to avoid them becoming gritty and actually damaging your cars paint

You should def post pics of your new paint :cool

installing the turbo tomorrow....gonna be a bit before she sees pavement again. we'll see about pics. :)

installing the turbo tomorrow....gonna be a bit before she sees pavement again. we'll see about pics. :)
How appropriate as I get home this Thursday. :alright

carnuba wax is the only wax that should be applied to new paint
You want to stay away from anything abrasive. Make sure you buy a full stock of microfiber towls and throw out those shitty white terryperries. Make sure that you keep them clean to avoid them becoming gritty and actually damaging your cars paint

You should def post pics of your new paint :cool

No, no, no, no. On fresh paint, you can't seal the surface with anything. It's gotta cure (outgas). The ONLY thing that you can do with fresh paint is a hand glaze, ie 3M IHG. After 30 days, you can pretty do anything to it, but in the first 30, you gotta wait unless it's specialized catalyzed paint (that you really don't see used unless you're paying $$$$).

No, no, no, no. On fresh paint, you can't seal the surface with anything. It's gotta cure (outgas). The ONLY thing that you can do with fresh paint is a hand glaze, ie 3M IHG. After 30 days, you can pretty do anything to it, but in the first 30, you gotta wait unless it's specialized catalyzed paint (that you really don't see used unless you're paying $$$$).
30 is a bit over-careful. I talked to my soon-to-be brother inlaw today who owns/runs a body shop in NoVA and he said 2 weeks is usually more than enough to let the paint outgas...

3 weeks is definitely enough he said.

The following Meguiars products are body shop safe, meaning you can use them on your freshly painted panels.

M03 Machine Glaze
M05 New Car Glaze
M07 Show Car Glaze
M09 Swirl Free Polish
M80 Speed Glaze
M81 Hand Polish

I would recommend #80 Speed Glaze applied with a PC, this should hold you over until your paint fully cures! #80 contains a polymer that will leave a glossy-protective enough finish without affecting the curing process.

I believe have have a bottle of the 3M imperial hand glaze in the garage...gotta double check.

thanks again for the tips fellas.

---

Rich, shoot by if you want some time this week as we tear down off the head and fiddle with the plumbing.

Dont wash it or wipe it down for atleast a week.