I just had my new hood painted with the standard base/clear coat process. How long should I wait before I Zaino it?

Thanks,
Dan

 

I have Zainoed the next day after the panel was cut and buffed, but since you might want to see if there are any problems like dust nibs, over spray, bubbling, etc, you may want to wait a week or two and observe the paint in case there are any problems you can carry it back to the shop and show them what is wrong and they can not blame you for doing anything to it.

 

i waited a month
gives plenty of time for the paint to cure and show what it really looks like
besides, nothing's gonna happen too much in that month either

 

I applied Z2 the day I brought it home.

 

With Zaino you do not have to wait like you do with wax, Zaino away.

 

you dont have to wait with zanio, or wax....this is a common myth....once the final clear coat finish is dried...like 4 hours later you are ok to do what ever....but if you wait a day, you are better off to make sure it is good and dry...

 

That's strange since even on Meguires site, they talk about which products can and cannot be used on fresh paint, for 2-3 months after the paint job!

I talked to the painter and he said a couple of weeks should do it. It has the base and 3 coats of clear.

Dan

 

well the thing of it is that it depends on how your paint and clear were put on, and the type of clear and paint...

 

This is not a myth...several weeks minimal. After new paint has been applied, it needs time to let the vapors that are still caught in the paint to escape. If you apply wax, the vapors cannot escape and you run the chance of the clear bubbling. I'm not sure about zaino but don't use wax. I always tell people to give it a month after I finish painting just to be on the safe side.