Paint hardening/waxing question

Jason E
11-18-2003, 09:50 PM
Thankfully, this does NOT involve my Z28...which still has all the factory perfect paint in its perfect factory state :)

My Grand Prix had to have the driver's side repainted (long story), and was painted about 2 1/2 weeks ago. Since then I have witnessed the following...

1) A slight brush of a sweatshirt touching the trunklid on its way in the trunk was enough to put a buff mark in it.
2) Not one but two stone chips have happened since it was painted...one of which is near the LR wheel arch of all places! I know its a stone chip because it happened after a 240 mile ride home.

Taking into account New England weather with its 35-45 degree temperatures right now, how long before this paint hardens enough that it isn't as frail as a little old lady? How long before I can wax it? The shop said 4 weeks, but I sincerely doubt that...I'm 2 1/2 weeks in and looking at it crosseyed gives it a buff mark somewhere.

Thanks for anyone's help. I know this is not a Camaro or 'Bird, but this board has way more people who know way more than any GP board I've ever seen!

onoiocoko
11-19-2003, 12:15 AM
the time you wait to wax depends on the hardener used. i would say wait the 4 weeks the body guy told u too. my dad doesnt really suggest a time to wax it but no one really asks him when he does the work. i think my cousin waxed his too soon and it made his clear coat real fragile. bird **** and other stuff is real hard to take off. hes had to buff some of it out befor and this is a year after the paint job. if u get some scratches in the new paint because it wasnt waxed you can get it buffed out. my dad doesnt really think it matters how long you wait but i do. if u got any of the paint left your best bet is used the but end of a paper match to touch in the chip real carful. then clear it. thats how i would do it.

Brent94Z
11-19-2003, 12:31 AM
I'll move this over to the Show and Shine forum. This forum is for Appearance modifications like wheels, hoods, etc. The Show and Shine forum is where they talk about waxin' :D

Duke79Zer
11-19-2003, 07:30 PM
I had a coop placement in high school at a really good body shop that does alot of restoration work and they always said wait ATLEAST 3 months before waxing.You can polsh scratches out before 3 months but don't wax it.This applied to base clear as well as acrylic enamel paint.As for the 2 stone chips just touch them up with a really small brush.If the shop didn't give you a bottle of touch up paint out of what was left over go back and ask them for one.They probably have a little sitting around somewhere just get a tiny bit of clear and then wet sand it in a few weeks.