Paint Cure Time
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 9t6t7
How long does it take for C6 paint to cure?
I played it safe and feel better for it. I have my whole life to wax the $hit out of my car.
Why take unnecessary chances.
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by vettnutt
From the factory...0. The paint is "baked" at the factory and has no cure time once you get it. Zaino away....
I have been applying paint to cars, trucks, etc. for decades and the 30 day wait before applying wax ONLY applies to nonbaked finishes. The concern about waxing a nonbaked finish too soon is that the wax will not allow the solvents to evaporate causing the paint to bubble. All factory paints are baked and there are no solvents left to evaporate. Also, many modern finishes are water based to reduce factory emissions and the solvents of old are a thing of the past. Wax away and enjoy you Vette. 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,516
Likes: 2
From: Virginia Bch VA
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Dat's It
Originally Posted by vettnutt
From the factory...0. The paint is "baked" at the factory and has no cure time once you get it. Zaino away....
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,179
Likes: 97
From: Palm Coast, FL
To wait or not to wait, that IS the question.
Originally Posted by Old Pete
I have been applying paint to cars, trucks, etc. for decades and the 30 day wait before applying wax ONLY applies to nonbaked finishes. The concern about waxing a nonbaked finish too soon is that the wax will not allow the solvents to evaporate causing the paint to bubble. All factory paints are baked and there are no solvents left to evaporate. Also, many modern finishes are water based to reduce factory emissions and the solvents of old are a thing of the past. Wax away and enjoy you Vette. 
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,525
Likes: 0
From: Kenton TN
"i can't say for sure but I,like many others was taught that ALL paints had a cure time and that ususally meant waiting (at least)30 days before applying any polish and/or wax. Baked, smaked, paint is still paint and to believe it is "instantly" cured or dried seems almost nieve. Besides, what harm will it do to wait a 30-45 day window and to play it safe? All paints have to "breathe" which would indicate a cure time is necessary and also another reason as to why one shouldn't "SEAL" the new paint with certain waxes. Food for thought.
Your entire thought there is correct ONLY if referring to single stage paints (no clear coat) Base coat is sealed in by the clear coat, it can't breathe! A chemical hardener catalyst is added to base coat and clear coat in today's paint technology. All GM factory painted cars have been clear coated since the late 80's.
Your entire thought there is correct ONLY if referring to single stage paints (no clear coat) Base coat is sealed in by the clear coat, it can't breathe! A chemical hardener catalyst is added to base coat and clear coat in today's paint technology. All GM factory painted cars have been clear coated since the late 80's.
Night Race Blue 427
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,794
Likes: 6
From: Muncie, Indiana ...... Can I buy an amplifier on time ... I ani't got no money now but I'll pay you before I die
Originally Posted by purple heart
i can't say for sure but I,like many others was taught that ALL paints had a cure time and that ususally meant waiting (at least)30 days before applying any polish and/or wax. Baked, smaked, paint is still paint and to believe it is "instantly" cured or dried seems almost nieve. Besides, what harm will it do to wait a 30-45 day window and to play it safe? All paints have to "breathe" which would indicate a cure time is necessary and also another reason as to why one shouldn't "SEAL" the new paint with certain waxes. Food for thought.
This was good thinking years ago. The EPA stepped in and forced all manufactures to use water base paint that is catalyst cured.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Westlake Village CA
A friend of mine ( and member of my Corvette club) runs the body shop for one of the largest Corvette dealers in the LA area. Spoke to him about this and he said what most of you have been saying. You can wax a factory paint job the next day!!!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Hanford CA
Paint Cure Time
Just had the rear deck lid on my C6 repainted due to some vandal taking a key accross the width of the lid. The paint job was baked on. When I asked how long before applying wax I was told to wait about 30 days. ***BY THE EXPERT*** 
