Repainted car vs. Rain & Dust

[thurman]

I was wondering if rain can damage a repainted car's surface(water spots). Because I realize that you can't wash the car until after 3 weeks of paint( learn on forum thanks). Also dust and pollen. The vehicle is garaged kept during the evening, parked in a parking lot( far from other vehicles) during the day. .


Also what and how should I dry the car?

[mis3]

Re: Repainted car vs. Rain & Dust

I read that the out-gas process would take 60-90 days.
Last time after the bodyshop painted one of the panels, I waited 90 days to wax that panel. During this period, I just wash the car every week or so. Once in a while I would apply DC-Clean to the panel.

[Blueline]

Re: Repainted car vs. Rain & Dust

Because I realize that you can't wash the car until after 3 weeks of paint( learn on forum thanks)

I know one shouldn't wax a fresh paint job for three months, but I have never heard of not washing it for three week after painting. Over the years, I have had either one of my vehicles or the kids have a repainted panel at a good high end shop, and was never told not to wash it. What would happen in a good rain downpour? Franky, I would do a gentle wassh rather than have dust, pollen, or the chance of water spots forming on my new paint job.
Wash gently and dry gently.

[tomsteve]

Re: Repainted car vs. Rain & Dust

wash and dry gently as stated and apply a glaze. it will protect the paint and also let the paint off gas. when i paint vehicles, i will do an initial cut/buff, then glaze. 60/90 days later i like to have the vehicle back in as the paint will shrink up some as it cures/dries and buff it again. then wax.

[thurman]

The glaze will provide some protection right? What type and can I apply by hand?

[tomsteve]

Re: Repainted car vs. Rain & Dust

i use the #7 show car glaze. yes, you can apply it by hand and it will add protection

[thurman]

Thanks Tom!!! What kind of car wash should I use and the preferred drying method? I will be gentle with each process. the paint has only been on for a week or so. I can wash as soon as possible right?

[Murr1525]

Re: Repainted car vs. Rain & Dust

#80 would actually be better for protection.

Any of the car washes (besides UW&W) would be fine. You can just pat dry instead of wiping if you want. Or some sort of air blower...

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Repainted car vs. Rain & Dust

i use the #7 show car glaze. yes, you can apply it by hand and it will add protection

#80 would actually be better for protection.

M80 does offer a very small amount of protection, but M07 does not. M80 will also help to eliminate very fine swirls, which M07 won't do either. If you find that you have some light water spotting that a gentle wash won't get rid of, try adding a cup of distilled white vinegar to a gallon or two of water and lightly go over the car that way. A few years ago we had a car repainted and one evening I forgot to move it when the sprinklers came on. The next morning half the car was covered in waters spots and a light washing didn't remove them. But the vinegar and water wash took them all off in no time.

[thurman]

Can I use Meguiars Ultimate Polish?

[Murr1525]

Re: Repainted car vs. Rain & Dust

Yes, though it would fall in the category of #7 as not leaving any protection behind.

[thurman]

OK funny thing happened today. Remember it was painted a week ago. It rained here today and the water beaded somewhat. So now I am confused. I haven't applied anything to this paint.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Repainted car vs. Rain & Dust

Beading is just a function of surface tension, nothing more, nothing less. Apply a wax will change the surface tension and cause the water to bead, but even once that surface tension has changed you can still have protection there. If you apply a pure polish, something like M07 or Deep Crystal Polish, there is zero protection but initially water will bead like crazy on it due to the polishing oils left behind. Once that product washes away, and it will fairly quickly, the water will then most likely lay on the surface like a big wet sheet. It is quite possible that some small trace of compound or glaze used by the body shop that painted your car is still on the surface, causing the bit of water beading you're seeing. It's neither bad nor good, it just is. If you get enough hard rain in the next few days that will most likely strip off whatever it is on the surface and you'll lose that beading.