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Paint Curing Time-How Long?

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Old Mar 22, 2010 | 11:18 AM
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Default Paint Curing Time-How Long?

I just got my car back from the painter and it looks great. It is '69 Monaco Orange (non-metallic). I had serveral nasty scratches fixed and the entire rear deck (roadster) refinished where the tops had virtually ground tracks into the paint/fiberglass over time, as well as the rear valance and new exhaust bezels fitted and installed.

I want to wax the heck out of it now since it looks so good, how long do I need to wait for the paint to cure? I'm in Illinois and it remains cool, the car is in an unheated garage.

ADDED COMMENTS:
Thanks for your input on this, guys. I have restrained myself and will not apply anything to the new paint for a month!

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE PIX 3/27


Here's the rear deck



Here's the front driver's side fender, nasty scrtaches now gone!



A few more showing the beautiful condition of the paint. Pictures really do not do justice to the color, really...









Yes that's an M6 in the garage...


Last edited by Ravine Speed; Mar 27, 2010 at 03:05 PM. Reason: added pix
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Old Mar 22, 2010 | 11:31 AM
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Ask your painter. Time to wax depends on what was used and how it was applied/dried.
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Old Mar 22, 2010 | 01:26 PM
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I think on an average you have to wait for 6 weeks before you can wax new paint.
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Old Mar 22, 2010 | 03:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Ravine Speed
I just got my car back from the painter and it looks great. It is '69 Monaco Orange (non-metallic). I had serveral nasty scratches fixed and the entire rear deck (roadster) refinished where the tops had virtually ground tracks into the paint/fiberglass over time, as well as the rear valance and new exhaust bezels fitted and installed.

I want to wax the heck out of it now since it looks so good, how long do I need to wait for the paint to cure? I'm in Illinois and it remains cool, the car is in an unheated garage.
Curing time varies. Some newer paints breath out(cure) faster than the old. If he baked it then it is almost no time at all as that causes the solvents to release almost immediately. Don't rush it. Off hand with the HOK paints I use I tell folks 3 weeks, but in reality on my own I wait 2-3. Ask your painter, he can look on the sheets and the temps and give you a real good time frame, or should be able too. If that is it in the pic, it looks great, throw on some show polish and go, it has no wax and will let it continue to flow and breath, but needs reapplied as it is not wax and won't last for a long time.
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 09:03 AM
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Originally Posted by 81pilot
Curing time varies. Some newer paints breath out(cure) faster than the old. If he baked it then it is almost no time at all as that causes the solvents to release almost immediately. Don't rush it. Off hand with the HOK paints I use I tell folks 3 weeks, but in reality on my own I wait 2-3. Ask your painter, he can look on the sheets and the temps and give you a real good time frame, or should be able too. If that is it in the pic, it looks great, throw on some show polish and go, it has no wax and will let it continue to flow and breath, but needs reapplied as it is not wax and won't last for a long time.
81pilot--thanks. you say show polish, how about these new synthetics that you just wipe on/off, will they be OK?
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Ravine Speed
81pilot--thanks. you say show polish, how about these new synthetics that you just wipe on/off, will they be OK?
NOOOOO! They contain silicone. There are several non wax, non silicone polishes made for new paint. It will really shine with those, read the back, they will say safe for new paint.
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 11:10 AM
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Originally Posted by markids77
...Ask your painter...

You can ruin your new paint if you get too antsy.
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 12:18 PM
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I use 3M Imperial Hand Glaze. Made for new paint. No Sillicones.
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike

You can ruin your new paint if you get too antsy.
I would suggest 2 months minimum and 3 better. If there are scratches or swirls now, then take the car back because someone messed up in the sanding process.

When I hear polish I think of abrasives. Glaze normally has no abrasives but do wait. You'll live IMHO

please post back what the painter recommends.
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 06:20 PM
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Yep...wait 6 to 8 weeks, and DEFFINATLY no kind of buffing or rubbing at all. Hold off on doing much of anything for at least a couple of weeks. Just rubbing your finger over it can scratch very new paint.
As stated, the Imperial hand glaze can be used to give it a bit of shine, but don't rub it hard at all. The paint will still be a little "soft" from the solvents evaporating through it. I would also avoid using any kind of cover for the same amount of time. Just rinse it of with plain water if it gets a little dusty.

Post some pics!
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 10:44 PM
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Originally Posted by karol
I would suggest 2 months minimum and 3 better. If there are scratches or swirls now, then take the car back because someone messed up in the sanding process.

When I hear polish I think of abrasives. Glaze normally has no abrasives but do wait. You'll live IMHO

please post back what the painter recommends.
Your correct. Everything I have is a glaze not a polish. I have a habit of calling it polish, but glaze is the correct term, good catch, it may have given the wrong impression.
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Old Mar 27, 2010 | 03:08 PM
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TTT

I have followed your advice and not applied anything to the new paint. I added the pictures today that look great but cannot replicate the deep bright Monaco Orange color. I cannot wait for cruising season!

Thanks for your comments.
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Old Mar 27, 2010 | 03:14 PM
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The car looks fantastic!!! I love the color and the roadster (I am a little biased though!) Enjoy it!!
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Old Mar 28, 2010 | 11:24 AM
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ttt for pix
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Old Mar 28, 2010 | 06:10 PM
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Zaino....
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Old Apr 20, 2010 | 12:18 AM
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Default Wax

Liquid Glass auto polish is the only thing i use and it is the best you can buy. It bonds to the paint and the more you put on the better it works. It won't yellow and bugs, and dirt wipe off easily. Bill G.
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Old Apr 20, 2010 | 02:12 AM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
Zaino....
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To Paint Curing Time-How Long?

Old Apr 20, 2010 | 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by mzmgb
I use 3M Imperial Hand Glaze. Made for new paint. No Sillicones.
.....30 Years of Corvette refinishing NCRS Top Flights- to numerous to mention Duntov Awards Bloomington Gold and Survivor Awards

Never wax- Use 3M Imperial Hand Glaze ONLY- EVER!! Just About child-proof

Waxes and silicones lead to trapped solvents

.....THIS MEANS POTENTIAL BLISTERING ! ! !

Fiberglass is like a sponge to the Volitile Aromatic Hydrocarbons in refinish products- When trapped things go wrong!
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Old Apr 21, 2010 | 10:38 AM
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Originally Posted by nitromainia
.....30 Years of Corvette refinishing NCRS Top Flights- to numerous to mention Duntov Awards Bloomington Gold and Survivor Awards

Never wax- Use 3M Imperial Hand Glaze ONLY- EVER!! Just About child-proof

Waxes and silicones lead to trapped solvents

.....THIS MEANS POTENTIAL BLISTERING ! ! !

Fiberglass is like a sponge to the Volitile Aromatic Hydrocarbons in refinish products- When trapped things go wrong!


Who carries 3M Imperial Hand Glaze? I looked at Pep Boys and they didn't have it. AutoZone doesn't appear to carry it either....
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Old Apr 21, 2010 | 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted by mzmgb
I use 3M Imperial Hand Glaze. Made for new paint. No Sillicones.
There is no need to wax it. As said use the 3M Imperial Hand Glaze. New clearcoats will hold their shine for many years if properly applied. The hand glaze works good for taking smears off and helps repell dust , so you don't have to wash very often. Just use a California duster. Remember the more you wash it the more risk you take in rusting out the birdcage.
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