How Long Does It Take for Car Paint to Dry Before Driving?

[VonDominic]

Under standard painting procedures, car paint can be touched after 2 hours, and the paint surface will reach 80% hardness after 24 hours. It takes 36 to 72 hours for the paint to fully dry, but the car can generally be driven after about 24 hours. Automotive paint is quite complex, consisting of four layers from the inside out: the electrocoat layer, primer layer, base coat (color layer), and clear coat. If the car has just been painted, avoid exposing the newly painted areas to water and dust. It's advisable not to drive in rainy weather, as fresh paint is still delicate and may develop watermarks that cannot be removed even by polishing. Sunlight exposure is acceptable, but be cautious to prevent contact with chemicals and grease on the newly painted surfaces.