maybe the search isn't working at the moment...because I can't believe that there aren't any threads for this!

but anyway, my baby was rear ended, and rather than spot paint, I am getting the whole thing hit with a new paint job. so here's my question to the detail gurus: what is the best way to care and protect the new paint job?

I know the whole "don't wax for 120 days" thing, and I heard that car wash soap is bad for a couple weeks too. so what products can I use, and in what time frame? any thoughts or recommendations? I want to ensure that my $$$ was put to good use and my 328i will shine and look new for as long as possible.

thanks! :help

You can wash but don't wax or polish for 90 days. There are a couple alternatives from Meguiars where you can put on a couple different glazes that help protect the paint but they come off after the next wash. Looks like you're going to just have to not doing anything for 90 days.

will the glazes offer any "real" protection? or do I just need to hope and pray because this is my only car and, obviously, my DD

Hand wash with dawn. Dry with a terry cloth.

will the glazes offer any "real" protection? or do I just need to hope and pray because this is my only car and, obviously, my DD
No but it'll make it look slightly better. You're just going to have to rough it out for the next 90 days

No but it'll make it look slightly better. You're just going to have to rough it out for the next 90 days

crud...that's what I thought. it's rough to know that that is what one has to deal with.

but in a few months, it'll all be worth it! :D

I hope...

You can't wax for about 90 days so the paint solvents can outgass through the poors in the paint. After 90 days, you are good to go (however, always check with your painter first).

You can use either Meguiars' #80 speed glaze or Meguiars' #7 Showcar Glaze to provide a light amount of protection with the paint outgasses. Both are oil rich and will keep the fresh paint conditoned while it cures. You can start cleaning right away, but be careful that the paint is likely "soft" and may scratch easier.

so the megs glaze can/should? be applied right away?

so the megs glaze can/should? be applied right away?
Yes. Looks for products that claim to be "body shop safe" on the bottle.

will do! thanks all

I think any kind of non-cleaner or non-synthetic wax should be safe. Meaning some kind of natural/pure wax. But I would wait as stated above

Even a natural wax will seal the paint and may/will prevent outgassing...

the body shop guy freaked when I asked him about putting on a glaze! you would've thought I said that I was looking to be the first male to give birth or something...

water water everywhere...and not a damn thing else for a month :)

when the container says body shop safe it only means that it has no silicon in it. Silicon is what makes the paint not stick, if it ever gets in their compressor or air lines they are fu**ed big time. So they make products that have no silicon in it. Armor all for example has alot of silicon, so if it was used inside the body shop and it got in the air and into the compressor, alot of messed up paint jobs would occur.