How long to wait(fresh paint)?

[Nxsov180db]

I am painting my 03' X-type Triple Black (PPG Single Stage DCC-9300). I am used to production work where you west-sand/buff the next day. For a show car finish should I wait a couple day to buff or as soon as possible?

DJ

[frustrateddetailer]

i heard you have to wait 90 to 120 days for the paint to really set. :D

[noswirler]

me personally I like to do it the next day, that way paint is still soft and manageable, you dont have to sand as much or as hard, remember always start with 3000 just to make sure surface is clean and your more able to see what your going after.

[Mike Phillips]

I am painting my 03' X-type Triple Black (PPG Single Stage DCC-9300). I am used to production work where you west-sand/buff the next day. For a show car finish should I wait a couple day to buff or as soon as possible?

DJ

Have you ever shot this paint system before? Usually you can choose the reduce you're going to mix the paint with and affect how fast or slow the paint sets-up. Even if you go with a slow reduce you should be able to start sanding one or two days after spraying.

Just like any project, test a small section with something like #1500 or #2000 grit sanding paper, (of course we recommend Nikken :D ), if you start with #1500 grit, re-sand this test section with #2000 to reduce the depth of your sanding marks. Sand till orange peel is removed and the surface is flat and then test a combination of pads and chemicals to see which combination removes the sanding marks the best. Once you have a system of papers and pads and compounds that works for you on this paint system in this test section, then simply cookie-cutter, (duplicate), this process over the entire finish. You might even consider our new Solo System.

Usually the longer you wait, the harder it will be to remove your sanding marks, so a a general rule the sooner you can sand and buff the easier it will be to remove your sanding marks and you'll be able to finish the entire job faster.

[Mike Phillips]

remember always start with 3000 just to make sure surface is clean and your more able to see what your going after.

I've never heard of starting with #3000 grit to make sure the surface is clean? Meguiar's always teaches the philosophy of using the least aggressive product to get the job done, and there's a place for the very fine grit sanding, or finishing papers, but #3000 grit is so fine it hardly makes a dent to start with it.

[wdwinder]

Whats too long to wait? I'm sure it varies with paint type. So, assume ppg 2k like Omni.

Thanks
Dave

[Pro-mo]

Next day. Also if you havnt painted it yet, Id give it two coats of clear. I dont know alot about single stage paint but I know a couple coats of clear will help protect it

[Snotty]

Ive got the same question for Acrylic Lacquer paint. Ive just painted my car Pacific Blue Pearl and its got two coats of Standox clear on it.

Its been painted for two days now (days have been sunny and warm 25c) and unless im wrong, im going to sand it today using a flexible block with Wet & Dry 2000 with no soap or detergent in the water followed by medium cutting compound using a Makita variable speed buffer on medium speed thats not orbitable.

Is this ok or should i change something. Finnish is very slightly rough to the touch at the moment after a blending coat. Ill wait an hour or two for a answer, then go ahead with the blocking and come back again for another thread check.

Thanks

[03mach1]

I heard you have to wait a month to a month and a half. Not sure but the paint has to cure for a long time.

[Michael Stoops]

I heard you have to wait a month to a month and a half. Not sure but the paint has to cure for a long time.
You're thinking about waxing, this discussion is geared more toward the wet sand, cut & buff to remove orange peel, etc from a fresh paint job.

Even if you take your car to a body shop that tells you to wait X amount of time to touch the paint, they've already put a buffer to it if for no other reason to bring the shine up. Or to instill holograms just to tick you off.