Preserving paintwork after a respray?

LeadFarmer · Feb 24, 2011

Im gettin my Defender 110 300tdi completely resprayed to Bonatti grey (from white) soon and was wondering if anyone has any advice on how to look after the new paintwork.

Ive read up on car detailing/polishing but do I have to treat newly sprayed paintwork differently? Ive heard that polishing should be avoided for a few months, is this true?

I know we dont mind gettin em muddy, but whilst the paintwork is new, i'd like to look after it.

andy mcd · Feb 24, 2011

it depends on how the respray has been done.
If it has been baked you are fine to just wash and polish it as the paint will be fully hardend. If it has not been oven baked, be kind to it leave it a few weeks before washing it and about 6 weeks before you wax it to ensure the paint is full hard.
Avoid the hard stuff like electric polishers etc if it hasnt been oven baked,
If it has been an expensive respray where it was baked before being flattened down then polished it wont need anything done to it apart from being washed and the odd coat of polish the same as you would normally do

treestump · Feb 24, 2011

andy mcd said:
it depends on how the respray has been done.
If it has been baked you are fine to just wash and polish it as the paint will be fully hardend. If it has not been oven baked, be kind to it leave it a few weeks before washing it and about 6 weeks before you wax it to ensure the paint is full hard.
Avoid the hard stuff like electric polishers etc if it hasnt been oven baked,
If it has been an expensive respray where it was baked before being flattened down then polished it wont need anything done to it apart from being washed and the odd coat of polish the same as you would normally do

Had three resprays and suffered no problems after leaving it for a few weeks. Remember though the old adage 'The thicker the wax the less the scratch'

LeadFarmer · Feb 25, 2011

Thanks guys, Ill ask the spray shop to see if its gunna be baked or not.

paul_c · Feb 25, 2011

A lot of solid colours these days also have clearcoat applied after. This would certainly help with longevity. No need to polish a fresh respray since polishing is to remove embedded imperfections in existing paint. Just use a decent wax and wash it reasonably frequently.

Cabbie · Feb 25, 2011

Before washing make sure you thoroughly wet the paintwork to soften the muck before using sponge or brush. All those little gritty bits can leave lots of scratches.

LeadFarmer · Feb 26, 2011

Cabbie said:
Before washing make sure you thoroughly wet the paintwork to soften the muck before using sponge or brush. All those little gritty bits can leave lots of scratches.

Will do, thanks for the tip. Been readin up on how the pros wash cars. Seems quite technical, 2 bucket system, lambswool mitts, snow foam etc. I feel some spending coming on!

Preserving paintwork after a respray?

LeadFarmer

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andy mcd

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treestump

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LeadFarmer

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paul_c

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Cabbie

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LeadFarmer

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