Everyone says 30-90 days. Thats a big range. I had body work done March 25th and I’m itching to hit my truck with that new variety of NuFinish which I had great luck with previously. Side note, took a loan against my 403b at 8% to pay for the $6500.00 damage as opposed to going through insurance. I figured I might as well pay myself instead of insurance.
How long before wax/seal new paint?
- Thread starter CapitalTruck
- Start date
Give it 2 months to be safe on complete curing of paint, your almost there.
I've waxed new paint in a week and I've waited 45-60 days. I don't see the difference over the long haul.
Look at how many people don't do anything after having new paint. It still shines with years of automated harsh chemical car washes.
And those who have waited the optimal amount of time. What do you see?
Now on the other hand, if you own something special that only gets the best treatment of OCI's and other fluid changes/flushes and the best part replacements, then I am sure this is an optimal time to wait for the absolute best results that only your eyes can see.
Look at how many people don't do anything after having new paint. It still shines with years of automated harsh chemical car washes.
And those who have waited the optimal amount of time. What do you see?
Now on the other hand, if you own something special that only gets the best treatment of OCI's and other fluid changes/flushes and the best part replacements, then I am sure this is an optimal time to wait for the absolute best results that only your eyes can see.
You pay for insurance, then took out a loan to pay for what your insurance could have paid for?
Propflux01
$100 Site Donor 2025
I wait 30 days. Chances are the vehicle is already a few weeks old as it is. But 30 days is enough with today's paints.
Not sure if it depends on if it's an oem paint job from the factory vs aftermarket. I've read that most oem are fully cured from the factory nowadays. Can you call the place that performed the paint job and ask?
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2025
I have always been told 90 days.
Brand new cars most likely have the paint baked after application, greatly speeding up cure time and making paint very durable. Aftermarket collision centers are usually applying water-based paints nowadays and cure times are very fast.
Ask your painter
Patman
Staff member
It’s probably difficult to nail down an exact time when the paint has fully stopped airing out, since there are so many factors involved. Is the car indoors or out in the sun? What has the temperature and humidity been like since it was painted? But generally speaking it should be hardened enough after two months to put some kind of protection on it. I would be worried about bird droppings on new paint before it had any protection, as that will etch permanently into there 
Would have been 2nd claim in less than a year, I figured they would have jacked the snot out or rates for next three years at least. The loan was from my own $$ paying interest to myself.
f355spider
$50 Site Donor 2025
Agreed. If they had it under lights, it may be pretty close to fully cured when he received it. Otherwise, just guessing. I had a bumper repainted on my BMW and wanted to have paint protection film applied. The painter used lights, and said to just give it a couple days and I would be good to go.
Does anyone have a paint manufacturer’s documentation on wait time? It always seems like conflicting hearsay with the most definitive being “the paint shop says”. It would be great to see a DuPont PDS or similar.
f355spider
$50 Site Donor 2025
Mainly because the painter and shop will have direct experience, and they will know and should tell you what drying process they are using. Heat and lights will hasten the curing time.
That’s house paint
Similar threads
