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  #1  
Old 02-28-2009, 01:28 AM
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How long to wait after painting to wax?

Just like the title says, how long after painting something should I wait to wax it? I was told several months, is this true?

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  #2  
Old 02-28-2009, 08:29 AM
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There's too many variables to give a definitive answer.

Enamel? Single-stage? Clear-coated? Metallic? Hot weather? Humid? Was the paint properly mixed with a hardener? Sprayed with HVLP or standard gun? Urethane enamel? Baked finish? Done in a heated spray booth? You get the idea.

I won't wax a fresh paint job until after I polish it. I won't polish until I can rub a hidden spot with polish and get NO paint transfer on a clean cloth. I won't do the polish step until I test a hidden area with a stiff plastic spatula for "hardness". The spatula should not leave a mark IN the paint but should transfer plastic to the hardened painted surface (any mark in the paint can be removed when you do the polishing stage).

I usually figure a minimum of three weeks but that's here in Tucson in the summertime with the car kept in the shade. A little less if the car is driven, more if the weather is cold or rainy.

Last edited by Mike D; 02-28-2009 at 11:28 AM.
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  #3  
Old 03-04-2009, 07:25 PM
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I wouldn't even run it through a car wash for a month.

The longer you wait to wax, the better. I do not wax my everyday runners. We always noticed that waxed test panels weathered quicker in Florida than their unwaxed counterparts. I'll wax my Benz because it looks nicer afterwards, but I do not run it every day or in the winter.

Wax will get you some abrasion protection, but little else. One thing I learned about durability after 20 years making paint: beading off of a car hood or wood looks nice, but that effect gains you no durability. Products that promote water beading really have no benefit. It was amazing the tests they could run to imply improvement, but when you stuck them out for real world testing . . . .
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Old 03-27-2009, 01:14 AM
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I have not waxed my car yet that I finished painting back in October, nor have I polished it. If you can get the paint hot and still smell it, its too early. I got my paint hot (120 or so) about a month ago and I could still smell it.
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  #5  
Old 04-18-2009, 11:59 AM
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I will polish after I paint but I wait about a month to wax it.
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  #6  
Old 04-19-2009, 11:43 AM
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Smelling it does mean it is too early to wax, but not smelling does not mean it is time to wax.

The curing mechanism goes on long after the smell goes away.

Don't be in a hurry to wax or polish. Time is your best friend.
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  #7  
Old 04-19-2009, 11:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bgkast View Post
Just like the title says, how long after painting something should I wait to wax it? I was told several months, is this true?
I haven't used wax in decades. I use a water-based sealant. Waiting time? Two months minimum before sealing.
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  #8  
Old 04-19-2009, 11:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmk View Post
The longer you wait to wax, the better. I do not wax my everyday runners. We always noticed that waxed test panels weathered quicker in Florida than their unwaxed counterparts. I'll wax my Benz because it looks nicer afterwards, but I do not run it every day or in the winter.

Wax will get you some abrasion protection, but little else. One thing I learned about durability after 20 years making paint: beading off of a car hood or wood looks nice, but that effect gains you no durability. Products that promote water beading really have no benefit. It was amazing the tests they could run to imply improvement, but when you stuck them out for real world testing . . . .

John,

If wax does not protect paint, is there any product that does? Or is a paint's inherent durability the best its going to get?
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  #9  
Old 04-20-2009, 12:41 AM
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Modern multi-stage paints and clear coats need at least a month to fully cure.
single stage paints are buffable after about a month. In the real world, you can apply carnuba wax after water stops beading on the surface.
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  #10  
Old 04-25-2009, 04:43 PM
jmk jmk is offline
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Not to my knowledge.

If you look at the end of this link

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/detailing-interior/250576-paint-jargon-defined-hopefully-post2184382.html?posted=1#post2184382

you will see some of my detailed comments. I really do not know of anything other than keeping the car clean that will work, but there may be something out there that works. I haven't kept up with car care products like paint, so my knowledge is dated.

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'18 Mazda Miata
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