How long does it take to drive away after car painting?
2 Answers
After painting, you need to wait at least 24 hours before driving away. When painting a car, it is essential to go to a professional institution and seek experts. Car paint is relatively complex, consisting of four layers from the inside out: the electrophoretic layer, the primer layer, the base coat, and the clear coat. Here is an introduction to each layer of car paint: 1. Electrophoretic layer: After the entire car body is assembled, it is generally immersed in an electrophoretic tank, forming an electrophoretic layer on the surface of the car body. 2. Primer layer: After the electrophoretic layer is formed on the car body surface, robots spray the primer layer, which also plays a crucial role in rust prevention and enhances the adhesion with the next layer of car paint. 3. Base coat: Above the primer layer is the base coat, which primarily serves an aesthetic purpose. The various colors of car paint visible are essentially presented by the base coat. 4. Clear coat: The clear coat protects the base coat and enhances the glossiness of the car paint.
Last time my car got scratched and needed a paint job, the repair shop technician said it would take at least two days. The exact time depends on the size of the area to be painted. For example, repainting an entire door requires sanding and rust removal first, then applying putty and waiting for it to dry, followed by spraying primer, color paint, and clear coat. Each layer of paint needs to be baked in the drying booth, which takes about five to six hours just for the painting process. Finally, polishing is required. They asked me to pick up the car on the third day, explaining that the freshly painted surface is still soft and driving it immediately could attract dust or leave fingerprints. It's best to let the paint fully harden by leaving the car in the workshop for a day.
