How Long After Car Painting Can You Drive?
2 Answers
You can drive your car one day after painting. Here are the relevant details: Precautions for car painting: If the car has just been painted, be careful not to expose the newly painted areas to water or dust. It's best not to drive out on rainy days, as the fresh paint is still delicate and may leave marks when exposed to rainwater, which can be unsightly and sometimes cannot be removed even by polishing. It's advisable to park in a garage at night. Benefits of car painting: Prevents oxidation and corrosion of metal surfaces, and enhances the adhesion between the metal surface and the putty or intermediate and top coats. Car primer, also known as anti-rust primer, is the base coat paint, which is usually applied directly to the object's surface or over a putty surface.
Just painted, gotta wait before driving. The paint dries quickly in the booth, but full hardening takes 24 hours. Last time I drove my car the next day after painting, and a small stone chipped off a piece of paint – heartbreaking. Recommend waiting at least a day; metallic or pearl paints are more delicate, better wait 48 hours. Dries faster in summer heat, needs more time in winter or humid weather. Avoid washing or covering the car for the first week, or trapped moisture may cause bubbles. If you must move it, after 3-4 hours when the paint’s no longer tacky, short slow drives are okay – just no highways.
