Does Rain Affect a Car That Has Just Been Painted?
2 Answers
Rain does not have a significant impact on a car that has just been painted, although it may slightly affect the gloss. However, regular maintenance and waxing can help. Here are some relevant details: Precautions: It is best not to expose the car to rain within three days after traditional painting, and avoid washing the car within a week. If the car gets rained on right after painting, do not take immediate action. Wait for a week after painting to wash the car, then perform polishing. Check the polishing results—if any previous abnormalities are eliminated, that's ideal; if not, repainting may be necessary. Handling Methods: The best approach is to immediately move the car to a dry area. Do not touch the freshly painted surface. Once the paint is dry, use 1500-grit sandpaper with a sanding block and water to sand until the water marks are removed, then polish until the desired effect is achieved. If it starts raining during the painting process, stop immediately and move the car to a dry area. If only 1K base coat has been applied without clear coat, you can sand off the water marks and repaint. If clear coat has already been applied, do not repaint; wait for it to dry, then sand and repaint.
I've been repairing cars for over a decade and often encounter this issue. A freshly painted car absolutely must not be exposed to rain immediately, as the paint needs time to fully cure—typically 24 to 48 hours. Rainwater contains numerous fine particles and acidic components that can penetrate the uncured paint surface upon impact, leaving permanent watermarks or tiny bubbles that appear as unsightly spots. These flaws not only affect appearance but may also lead to paint cracking and premature aging. Environmental factors are crucial too—hot weather speeds up paint drying, but cold or rainy conditions make it more vulnerable. Last year, one of my clients rushed to drive their newly painted car in the rain, resulting in ruined reflective surfaces that required complete sanding and repainting, wasting both money and effort. My advice: keep the car in an indoor garage for at least 2-3 days after painting, or use a car cover for rain protection. If absolutely necessary, at least verify the paint isn't sticky to touch before driving.
