scarab45

MY00 got into an accident a couple months ago and the whole car needed to be repainted. Well i just got the car back not even a half hour ago. The body shop mentioned I shouldn't wash the car for about 45 days....to let it cure. They meant a car wash, but who takes a S to a car wash anyways, right? I asked about washing it at home and scrubbing it, but still 45 days. Just curious how accurate this is and anyone else's experiences. Thanks guys!

Jon

wanabe

sounds like they are being very conservative- not necessarily bad. the car needs some time for the solvents to evaporate (at least that is what i understand), and waxing would trap them in.

repainted cars need time for the paint to cure... 45 days until you can wash seems a little long to me. you should definitely not polish it for awhile, and maybe not even wax it for a short period after a painting and new clearcoat (i assume they clear coated it??)

... you should be able to wash it if its cured- carefully (rinse well, and make sure you are using high quality mitts and rags). i usually hear 30 days as a "normal" cure time, but i always take the advice of the people i hire- so in your case, sounds like you are stuck with a dirty car!

i would ask them if the car was clear coated (or check your invoice- it should say).

scarab45

thanks for the reply....and yes the car was clear coated. They only said i could rinse it.

Jon

Willie Gee

do not wax or buff it.
I would water it only.

SECRET AP1

you can be on the safe side and not wash it or wax it. at the same time, i wouldn't drive it until i got some wax on there. it defeats the purpose of getting a fresh start imo.

PilotKD

My body shop told me not to wax the car for 90 days, but that I could wash it as much as I wanted.

eepr5

when I had my other car painted, the body shop told me no wax for 120 days, no car-wash soap for about half that. Told me to use only ivory dishsoap, the super mild stuff, said regular car wash soap was too harsh.