New paint/car cover
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,762
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From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
New paint/car cover
How long after painting can you use a car cover on a car ? I was told that due to gassing the new paint must breathe. Also when can you wax the car for the first time ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
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From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Great question! My paint is now about a month old and was baked in the paint booth. I bought a new cover for it which states its breathable, but is it enough for new paint? I wasn't planning on waxing until next summer sometime 
Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 622
Likes: 23
From: MA
My pal owns a body shop & has told me after every paint job he's done for me that within 48 hrs after the clear is applied it is as hard & cured as it will ever be.
He uses Sikkens.
He also says it's how much hardener is used as well with the properly mixed amount being the 48 hrs.
The day after he applies the clear he gets out the DA & wet sands to get whatever orange peel is there then can "fine tune" from that point on.
He's done 3 Trans Am's, 2 Shelby Chargers, 1 Daytona shelby, my wife's CRV & my Sebring vert (all my cars BTW except for the CRV) & I've never had an issue with one of the paint jobs & using a car cover, waxing, polishing, nothing.
He uses Sikkens.
He also says it's how much hardener is used as well with the properly mixed amount being the 48 hrs.
The day after he applies the clear he gets out the DA & wet sands to get whatever orange peel is there then can "fine tune" from that point on.
He's done 3 Trans Am's, 2 Shelby Chargers, 1 Daytona shelby, my wife's CRV & my Sebring vert (all my cars BTW except for the CRV) & I've never had an issue with one of the paint jobs & using a car cover, waxing, polishing, nothing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,528
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From: PA
I come from a family of painters (not automotive, but industrial) and we've been told up to 6 months for it to gas out totally, depending on temp and humidity. Less with baking but not overnight!
I'd try the wax in a hard to see spot first.
I'd try the wax in a hard to see spot first.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento California
I always went by the rule, if it still smells like fresh paint, then it is still out gassing.
There are variables depending on what brand, and Type of paint, and of course the temperature it has been in after painting.
I waited about a year before waxing mine, but it lives in a garage.
There are variables depending on what brand, and Type of paint, and of course the temperature it has been in after painting.
I waited about a year before waxing mine, but it lives in a garage.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 820
From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
