Re-paint , now how long to wax?

I thought it was 3 months...

Manufactuers reccommendations VARY. Most though it is 60-90 days. I would check with them. Be careful when using the car wash as well.

I was sideswiped and my body shop who specializes in luxury cars. I cheated cause iI wanted it done right. I asked them and how long to wait till it could be waxed and not damage the paint they said, "With today's paints, do it tomorrow." I did just that and it looks absolutely great.

I believe body shops now use polyester paints. OSHA does not like either lacquer or enamels. The reason is the solvents and paint thinners are both bad ergonomically..

While working as a Mech. Engr. (I am now retired). The products I designed/engineered that needed to have a finish color coat, the only option I had was Powder Coat or Polyester pains. The paint shops had absolutely no facilities for either lacquer or enamel available.

Blevans

Paints made today are URETHANE not Polyester(Bondo is made out of polyester). Waxing your car the day after is a VERY quick way to scratch your cars finish to death. Most clearcoats cure within 7 days of finish. They need about a month or two to harden before you wax. I have seen people leave fingerprints in thier topcoat a week after it was painted.(House of Kolor) Glad to hear your car came out ok after you waxed it, but you really should have waited. I wouldn't be suprised to find out that your car was full of swirl marks in a few months.

Laquer and enamel based paints are still used today all the time. They are not as widely used due to thier lack of color and design choices (metallics, flip/flops, pearls etc.). They are still used due to people restoring older cars and wanting a correct finish. Enamel paints are used in industrial applications EVERY DAY. (Tractors, Dozers, Dumptrucks, Industrial Racking and Machine Coverings). Solvents and thinners are used to thin paint and clean painting equipment just like they were 40 years ago. When we spray a truck frame with chassis paint, we use tractor enamel due to it's extreme durability.

henry get ahold of me, i have some ?'s on wetsanding and clearcoats..thanks

Thank you for the insight. It's been 1 month so far, so I guess I'll wait one more ... BTW it is a single stage intergrated clear finish. Is there any difference with that in waxing?

I got repainted this summer by a very good local shop. They said to not wax for 90 days. I think thats a little bit long, but they have a lifetime warrenty against fading or something on the paint, so I'll do it their way.

The last time I had any paint work done on a car (which was a long time ago) they told me to wait 6-8 weeks before waxing.

Originally posted by zeteckit19's:
Thank you for the insight. It's been 1 month so far, so I guess I'll wait one more ... BTW it is a single stage intergrated clear finish. Is there any difference with that in waxing?

Are you the one that posted about repainting the car at Earl Scheib? If so, how did it turn out?

Actually the earl scheib was horrible so i checked out maaco instead. Their shop was run alot better so that's where I went. It turned out pretty good, painted it alpine silver(a lexus shade). Im pleased with it. I just need to figure out how to post pics on here and I will show my car.

I was always told Three months. But it will also depend on the climate where you are. If the car sits in the sun a lot then three months should be fine. However, if it is in the garage most of the time I would wait even longer. Just my 2 cents.

Thank you for the feedback

This is a reply by Draven who operates a paint and body shop. PM him if you care to have him explain. Cut all the BS and get a reply from someone who KNOWS the correct answers.

When someone said they were told to wait 30 to 90 days Draven responded thus:
Maybe they are just trying to cover their butts too.. but according to any paint manufacturer and any paint school I attend..and we have to go every year to keep qualifications., you may wax at time of painting. wetsand..buff ..then wax. It will not hurt anything.

Originally posted by Blevans:
This is a reply by Draven who operates a paint and body shop. PM him if you care to have him explain. Cut all the BS and get a reply from someone who KNOWS the correct answers.

When someone said they were told to wait 30 to 90 days Draven responded thus:
Maybe they are just trying to cover their butts too.. but according to any paint manufacturer and any paint school I attend..and we have to go every year to keep qualifications., you may wax at time of painting. wetsand..buff ..then wax. It will not hurt anything.

my brother has been painting cars for years(though not professionally)and says the exact same thing as draven...