How to Care for a Freshly Painted Car

Having your car painted can be an inconvenience and a costly investment.  Therefore, it is important to protect that new paint job and care for it properly.  Before you leave the body shop, be sure to ask for instructions specific to the paint used on your vehicle.  There are some general guidelines to follow.

• Do not wax your car until the paint has cured.  According to Meguiar's, a reputable car wax manufacturer, cars with a new paint job should not be waxed for a minimum of 30 days and possibly as long as 90 days.  The baking process used to cure aftermarket paint jobs does not use the same high temperatures as car manufacturers.  This means that the paint must continue to cure after the car has been returned to you.  Paints from different manufacturers have different curing times.  Ask your body shop what type of paint they used and how long before it is completely cured.  


• Do not wash your car for at least two weeks.  When you find it necessary to wash, use a product for cars, not dish detergent.


• Clean bird droppings from the paint as soon as possible.  During the critical, early days of a new paint job, avoid parking under trees and other areas where birds roost or debris could fall on the car.  If birds do decorate your new paint job, dampen a soft cloth with warm water and hold it over the debris until it becomes soft enough to gently wipe it away.  


• Park in the shade.  Whenever possible, park your car under cover, to avoid the harsh UV rays that cause fading.  


• Do not use a car cover.  Until the paint has cured, it will be susceptible to scratches from the cover. 


• Do not use a commercial car wash.  Again, until the paint has cured, do not visit your local car wash.  This includes the "gentle" hand wash places.


• Park inside at night.  If possible, do not leave your car outside overnight.  Acids present in dew can deteriorate the paint.  This is true whether your paint job is new or not.


• Do not set anything on the car.  The hood and trunk of your car are not work benches, chairs or coffee tables.  Sitting on them or setting other items on them can cause scratching and marks.


• Avoid salt, gravel, sun and rain.  Until the paint cures it is particularly susceptible to the effects of these items.