Hi guys... I got Ford to do a complete repaint on my truck due to the cracking issue common in the darker colored vehicles. After living without my truck for three weeks, I'm supposed to finally get it back this afternoon. Wanted to get some advice for trying to care for this new paint job to keep it looking as good as possible for as long as possible. I've spent quite a bit of time reading through this forum and have learned quite a bit. If I may, let me ask a couple questions:

1) How long should I wait tell I wax? I've read that new trucks coming from Ford have the paint jobs baked on at the factory and are cured after about 48 hours. What about on a repaint? I'm sure there baked on to some extent at the body shop, but is the process as thorough as on a new vehicle? I got a paint job done on a TransAm about 5 or 6 years ago (although not as expensive of a paint job as this one) and I believe I was told to wait 60 days althought they did not use the same type of paint. What do you guys think?

2) Should I consider useing a claybar or polishing before I wax? I'm assuming since it's a brand new paint job, there shouldn't be any 'inpurities' in the paint making useing a claybar unnecessary. Are there any situation such as with overspray that useing a claybar would be benefical? Also, what about polishing? Is this helpful, or a waste of time?

3) And last but not least.... I've read where Intel has recommended useing a 'paint sealant' such as Klasse Sealant Glaze or ProPerfections for new paint jobs. What exactly is a 'paint sealant?' Is it similair to a wax or a polish or what? Should I use this aswell, and if so should I use it in instead of wax, or before I wax or what? Are there any other products I should consider useing or avoiding on a new repaint? TIA for the help.....

 

Hi STX,

1.) I would wait about a month or so before I would go polishing and wax it. This should will ensure plenty of time for the paint and clearcoat to setup properly.

2.) A claybar IMO is not necessary on a new paint job. 3M Hand Glaze is designed to polish new paint on veichles less than 30 days old. Good car wash like Gold Class, or Pro's Red Cherry Suds, 3M Hand Glaze, and follow up with a non abrasive Wax like Meguiars #26 Yellow Wax or maybe even Klasse SG would like awesome too

3.) Try to Stay away from all the abrasives from mild to aggresive. I would wait until like almost next yr to even consider an abrasive for like removing swirls or oxidation etc.. Untill then, Good car wash's like ones I mentioned above and some polish and wax that is pure and non abrasive will keep it looking real nice untill the paint has fully cured. Hope this helps you out

91

P.S when did we get new smileys????? those are cool LOL

 

STX, when I worked at my dads paint shop we would tell the custormer to wait 60 days before applying any polish or wax. And you shouldnt have to do any polishing to your truck, should be done by the shop that painted it.

 

I appreciate the help guys... I got it back last night, and it looks pretty damn good... What do yall think about the 'paint sealant' like Intel has mentioned previously? What exactly is it? Is that 3M Hand Glaze you mentioned a similair product?

 

For a aftermarket paint job you need to let it cure for a good 60 days.

A paint sealant is simply a synthetic wax. It is usually a polymer that actually 'crosslinks' and bonds to the paint. Klasse Sealant Glaze is an Acyrlic Polymer where as Pro's Profection is an Amino-Function Polymer. I've started to use Pro's Profection as it goes on easy, comes off easy, gives a great shine, and lasts a long time. Klasse Sealant Glaze is awesome though if you want to go with it. Neither are a bad choice.

You're paint probably won't need clay since it was new and has not collected a lot of contaminents.

You can use a polish on it after 60 days to remove minor swirls, etc. The paintshop has already sanded it, compounded it w/ a buffer and polished it. At the end of 60 days polishing again before washing will not hurt it.