What Are the Consequences of Rain After Car Painting?
4 Answers
Introduction to the consequences of rain after car painting: Freshly painted car paint is relatively fragile, making it susceptible to marks from rainwater. Additionally, industrialization has led to impurities and acidic substances in rainwater. If a vehicle is exposed to rain and not washed promptly, these acidic substances can corrode the outermost glossy layer of the paint, causing it to lose its luster. Below are methods for protecting car paint: 1. Waxing: Waxing can be divided into direct waxing and polishing waxing. Direct waxing involves cleaning the car body and applying wax directly to the clear coat layer of the paint. Polishing waxing, on the other hand, requires using a polishing machine to polish the paint surface before applying wax, which can immediately make the car shine. 2. Glazing: Due to the composition of glaze, it is not resistant to acid and alkali cleaning and can be easily damaged. It typically lasts only 1 to 3 months, and glazing can harm the car paint, requiring reapplication every two to three months. 3. Crystal Coating: Crystal coating is a hard protective layer specifically designed for car paint, seats, interior and exterior trim, glass, tires, and other key areas. It comes in quick-drying and slow-drying types, mainly determined by its primary components. 4. Film Application: Car coating is a highly effective protective measure that enhances the brightness of the paint while also providing resistance to acid and alkali, high temperatures, strong water resistance, oxidation, UV rays, and other multiple effects.
Last time my car got painted and it rained right after, resulting in lots of tiny bubbles on the paint surface, with some areas even wrinkling. A few days later, I noticed uneven gloss on the paint, with some areas turning white like covered in a layer of fog. Even worse, after rainwater seeped into the paint layer, the edges started to peel slightly. A friend at the repair shop said this happens because when the paint film hasn't fully cured, rainwater can dissolve the solvents in the paint, damaging the paint's structure. If not treated promptly after getting wet, moisture trapped in the paint layer can also cause rust. So now I always choose continuous sunny days for painting and leave the car in the garage to dry for at least three days afterward. If it suddenly rains, I immediately use a soft cloth to absorb the water stains and then drive to the shop for infrared lamp treatment as a remedy.
In our paint industry, the most frustrating scenario is when car owners encounter rain right after picking up their newly painted vehicles. The paint surface doesn't fully cure within 72 hours, and rainwater can cause two major issues: first, it leaves droplet-shaped pits and sagging marks on the surface, similar to water stains left when wax isn't wiped off properly; second, moisture seeping into the primer can lead to oxidation of the metal layer. Once, a client's car developed bubbles and swelling at the door seams after being caught in the rain, forcing us to sand the entire panel down to the metal layer and redo the treatment. Cars with metallic paint are even more delicate—rainwater can cause uneven distribution of pearl powder, resulting in noticeable color differences under sunlight. We recommend using indoor parking spaces for the first week after painting. If the car does get wet, avoid rubbing it forcefully with a cloth; instead, take it to a professional paint booth for low-temperature baking. Regular waxing can also enhance the paint's water resistance.
A freshly painted car getting rained on is a total disaster. When the paint hasn't fully dried and encounters rainwater, it can create permanent water stain spots, especially noticeable on dark-colored paint jobs - it looks like spilled cola that wasn't properly wiped off. Over time, these water spots may turn yellow or discolored, creating a stark contrast with the fresh paint. My neighbor's car fell victim to this - rain left map-like marks on the hood that couldn't be removed by washing or waxing, forcing a complete repaint. Now I know to avoid painting during the rainy season, and if painting on overcast days, it's best to extend the baking time by half an hour. If rain is forecast, covering the car with a protective sheet beforehand works wonders. Remember, the clear coat takes a full 48 hours to completely harden, and keeping it dry during this period is absolutely crucial.
