 | Richard Smith has been in the Auto Body Industry for 26 years. He is ASE Certified Master Collision Tech, an I-Car Platinum Tech, and an I-Car Instructor. He and His wife own and operate Sharp's Auto Body & Collision Inc. located at 202 North Elm St. in Pittsburg, Kansas. He is a father of 5 children, Ex Military E-6 Staff SGT. and is active in his home Church. The one thing he enjoys doing is educating the public about the safety and proper repair of automobiles, no matter if it is a vehicle that has been in a collision, a small dent, or a complete restoration. The shop is always equipped with a skilled professional to handle your auto needs. |
Automotive Service & Repair
2012-04-20 15:33:19
Should I wax my new paint job?
Q: I just had my car painted and it was recommended that I not wax it for two months. Shouldn’t I wax it to protect the paint job? Why can’t I use clear coat additives or wax on my newly painted vehicle?
A: While it may seem counter intuitive, there are several reasons why it is best to follow the recommendation, even when the paint has been baked on in a paint booth.
First, if your car has been freshly repainted, most paint manufacturers require up to 60 days for all solvents to totally evaporate out of the fresh paint. Trapping these solvents under a layer of wax can affect the color, texture, and longevity of your paint job. Over time, you would be likely to see the paint blister, bubble, or blush. Remember, the recommendation was made based on the testing done with the product.
Another good reason to follow the recommendations is that not following any manufacturer instructions would void out the warranty of the product. If you encountered problems, you would be left with no recourse and a costly mistake.
I understand that many people worry about leaving the paint job “unprotected” for that length. However, there is little about which to be concerned. A car with a fresh paint will bead and react like it has wax on it generally for the first 60 days.
To protect that paint job long term, wait it out. After you wash vehicle just dry with chamois or detailers cloth to keep it from water spotting. After 60 days you can have it waxed, protected, etc.
