How long after a car has been painted can it be washed?
2 Answers
If the painting was done in a paint booth, you can wash the car as soon as it is driven out, because the car has already stayed in the booth for 3 to 4 hours. If the painting was done at a professional shop, you can wash the car when the staff hands it over to you, as professional shops follow standard painting procedures, and washing the car after painting will not affect the finish. If the car was painted and picked up on the same day, it is recommended to wait 2 days before washing. Ensure sufficient ventilation and humidity, and the car can be washed after 6 to 7 hours. If the paint has dried completely, you can wash the car after two days. Below is more related information: Precautions: At lower temperatures, it is recommended not to wash the car for a week, as the fresh paint is still fragile. Washing the car may cause external dirt and sand to scratch the clear coat on the paint surface during the cleaning process. Generally, after standard painting procedures, the paint can be touched after 2 hours, and the hardness of the paint surface reaches 80% after 24 hours, at which point the car can be washed.
The car just got a fresh paint job, and I think it's best to wait at least 24 to 48 hours, especially if the weather is hot or humid, as the paint dries slower under those conditions. When my car was repainted before, the repair shop advised me not to rush into washing it because the underlying paint hadn't fully cured—water could cause bubbles or leave watermarks. I waited three days before gently wiping it down with a soft cloth, using water that was neither too cold nor too hot, and then checked for any scratches. In the summer heat, the paint dries faster, but in winter, you might need to wait a few extra days. Remember, haste makes waste—new paint needs time to settle, or else you might end up with more repairs. To be safe, waiting two days before washing can significantly extend the paint's lifespan.
