I'm picking up my F-body tomorrow from the paint shop. Got all my dings and dents taken care of and a fresh coat of paint and clear. How soon can I throw wax on the paint? The paint shop bakes in the paint for a quick dry type method. Is it safe to apply wax right after? Or do I have to wait a few days?

 

they say wait at least a month before waxing a freshly painted car, because the paint needs to completely dry first. Even though it may seem dry, it isn't. Thats my understanding of it at least, but i know waxing right away is a bad idea.

 

Thanks for the 411 on waxing. I appreciate it.

 

After my paint job, they told me not to even wash it for 2 weeks...I'm no chemist so I just listened to them

 

It depends on what you got it painted with. Yoiu got clear so I would wait 2-3 weeks to wash it and 1 month to wax. Polymers take longer to cure than clear, as well as enamel. Laquor is the quickest curing, but doesn't last very long.

 

In the good ol' days you had to wait 6 months. The solvents would evaporate for that time period. Todays paints are not as primitive but I would wait for at least 30 days.

Then when you must wash and wax it I would use a very thin Spray Mist, or Quik Detail wax like Meguiars. Spray on wipe off.

The most important thing, however, is the cloth you use. Use a soft flannel or a pro-detail cloth like 3M makes.

 

This topic has come up before. Why wait for it to cure. If the body shop can color sand and buff the paint the day after it's painted, you should be able to wax. The shop is using compounds and glazes to bring out the shine after sanding. I would think that the shop that's doing the work knows best. Ask them.