Putting stripes on the car too early (before paint cured)?

[Indpowr]

Does anyone that is getting stripes worry that there paint has not fully cured? People always say to wait a few months after a paint job and or a new car to wax because the paint has not fully cured.

Curious because we also have a CGM coming with black stripes..

[Hylton]

Nope. They've been doing it for 30 years so pretty sure we are good.

[Lovestanda]

I thought that too. But, the paint's under the clear coat so it's protected right???

[GMtothecore]

It's all good....my faith's in GM on this one

[Hylton]

The clearcoat is also paint.

[Lovestanda]

Originally Posted by Hylton

The clearcoat is also paint.

didn't know---thanks

[bolteon593]

these days, it does not take several months for paint to cure. several hours in the right conditions.

[HuJass]

The paint the factory applies does not have to cure.
First off, it's a different mixture than what a body shop uses. I think there is no catalyst in the factory's paint.
Secondly, it's baked at like 375 degrees for a few hours. It's totally cured by the time it comes out of the oven.

Here's a neat tidbit. Most cars don't come out perfect after they've been painted at the factory. There can be foreign material trapped in it, or maybe water or oil dripped onto the surface. The small imperfections can be fixed on one of the inspection decks in the paint shop. Slightly larger paint errors can be repaired in the paint department on a secondary line.
And if there are too many problems with the paint, they send it right back to the booth. No sanding, no prep (other than tacking it off), no nothing. They just spray right over the existing paint.
They get 3 tries to get good results. If they can't get it right, the shell is stripped of anything useful (doors, fender, etc) and the shell is scrapped.
That's how my plant works. I don't know about GM. They'll probably come on here and deny it.

[Indpowr]

Very interesting. I had a FULLY custom paint job and it was nuts but I was told not to wax it for a few months.

Good info to know on a new car.

[ljustin293]

Originally Posted by HuJass

The paint the factory applies does not have to cure.
First off, it's a different mixture than what a body shop uses. I think there is no catalyst in the factory's paint.
Secondly, it's baked at like 375 degrees for a few hours. It's totally cured by the time it comes out of the oven.

Here's a neat tidbit. Most cars don't come out perfect after they've been painted at the factory. There can be foreign material trapped in it, or maybe water or oil dripped onto the surface. The small imperfections can be fixed on one of the inspection decks in the paint shop. Slightly larger paint errors can be repaired in the paint department on a secondary line.
And if there are too many problems with the paint, they send it right back to the booth. No sanding, no prep (other than tacking it off), no nothing. They just spray right over the existing paint.
They get 3 tries to get good results. If they can't get it right, the shell is stripped of anything useful (doors, fender, etc) and the shell is scrapped.
That's how my plant works. I don't know about GM. They'll probably come on here and deny it.

very interesting~

[King Mouse]

No catalyst in the clear? Really? I would like to hear confirmation of this. Not saying you are wrong. As a painter, I am just curious.

[lovecheese]

Originally Posted by HuJass

The paint the factory applies does not have to cure.
First off, it's a different mixture than what a body shop uses. I think there is no catalyst in the factory's paint.
Secondly, it's baked at like 375 degrees for a few hours. It's totally cured by the time it comes out of the oven.

Here's a neat tidbit. Most cars don't come out perfect after they've been painted at the factory. There can be foreign material trapped in it, or maybe water or oil dripped onto the surface. The small imperfections can be fixed on one of the inspection decks in the paint shop. Slightly larger paint errors can be repaired in the paint department on a secondary line.
And if there are too many problems with the paint, they send it right back to the booth. No sanding, no prep (other than tacking it off), no nothing. They just spray right over the existing paint.
They get 3 tries to get good results. If they can't get it right, the shell is stripped of anything useful (doors, fender, etc) and the shell is scrapped.
That's how my plant works. I don't know about GM. They'll probably come on here and deny it.

What if they are like my SI and have problems with paint all over the car? Runs in it, specks of dirt under the clearcoat. 70 days in the shop ftw. Now to wait :(

[HuJass]

Originally Posted by lovecheese

What if they are like my SI and have problems with paint all over the car? Runs in it, specks of dirt under the clearcoat. 70 days in the shop ftw. Now to wait :(

Was yours bad from the factory?

[FirstLSK]

This is true. Factory paint is nothing even close to what they use in a paint shop. No catalyst and most is waterborne these days. They bake at 450. Paint shops can't do the same because the interior and electronics would fry.

SO, absolutely no concerns about the factory paint "out-gassing" under the vinyl stripes and you can wash, wax, seal, etc. as soon as you get it. For the guys that are getting their stripes painted on, you need to wait about 2 months before waxing / sealing. The body shop paint must have time to fully cure and out-gas. Warm days and sunshine accelerate that process.