How long to wait to wash your car after a new paint job?
It’s a question that comes up more often than you might think. Not every body shop offers advice on the amount of time to let lapse before washing your car after it gets a new paint job. That’s what Dallas Auto Paint is here for! Well, we’re more about completing paint jobs ourselves; however, there’s never a bad time to educate vehicle owners. Whether you were in an auto collision or you just want an improved looking car, the same general guidelines will apply.
Washing
Let’s focus on a general car wash first. It takes 24 hours for the new paint to cure, at the most. Though, just because it has cured does not mean it won’t react negatively to water, soap, and other ingredients that are involved in a car wash. The expert recommendation is to wait at least two weeks to wash your car from when the new paint job was completed. Even then, a modest hand wash is likely best. A bucket of water with soap (not dish soap) should do just fine. Make sure you use a soft cloth; no brushes or any abrasive object of the like.
Once a month has gone by, you should be fine to enter into a car wash center without your vehicle paint suffering whatsoever. The idea is to protect your car has best as possible; therefore, it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to a wash. If you live in Dallas, TX, it may also be a good idea to get a fresh coat of paint during a dry spell, perhaps late summer/early fall. This can minimize the amount of dirt buildup on your car and the need for a car wash.
Waxing
Waxing is a bit of a different story. To best protect your car’s new paint job, it’s safe to avoid waxing for a few months. The ingredients in car wax could damage the paint if it is not 100% dry and settled. Experts recommend waiting 60-90 days before having your car waxed after a paint refresh. Again, it’s a matter of precaution. 60 days of waiting should be fine for your car, perhaps even a lesser number of days. Washing your car a few times over two months should certainly keep it clean enough before it needs a waxing anyway.
Ask the shop
It’s best to ask the people who gave your car a fresh coat of paint in the first place. Ask the Dallas, TX shop how long you need to wait until you can wash your car, and ask how long you need to wait until you can wax your car. The shop will be the best source, as they will know the specifics based on the type of paint they used. Different painting processes and different painting materials can warrant different waiting periods.
So, ask the shop! Even if you didn’t think to ask in person, a representative will surely be able to give you an answer over the phone.
If you are looking for a trustworthy shop to give your car a new paint job, look no further than Dallas Auto Paint. We offer countless auto body services, all of which can be viewed and detailed via our website—www.dallasautopaint.com. Call to schedule an appointment or stop on in! Also, check out our blog for additional helpful vehicle input.