I just had my hood repainted and I want to claybar the whole car including the hood. Is it OK to claybar the hood at this time with the fresh paint?
Eddie

 

JMHO

I'd let it cure at least a few weeks but the real answer should come from the body shop themselves. Ask them what they think you should do.

 

Most of the time they tell you to let the paint cure for several weeks. Give the body shop a call.

 

Because damage repair, or any type of paint repair for that matter, generally uses lower intensity heat lamps than the OEM paint jobs, it is usually recommended to wait at least 30 days before doing any polishing, waxing, etc.

But, as suggested, ask your repair shop. They would/could/should be the best resource for YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION.

 

Since the new paint, theoretically, is pristine, I would go ahead and clay bar the rest of the car now. Then in 30-60 days (or as recommended by your body shop) apply a light, easy coat of wax to the hood. I wouldn't clay bar the new paint until the next time I did the whole car.

 

I've only used claybar to get crud out of old paint, or oxidized paint. Why would you want to clay bar a newly painted surface? Like others have said wait a while for the paint to cure before waxing etc.

 

i wouldnt touch it for at least 6 months. and if the body shop did good work it shouldnt need it for 5 years

 

Huh? I'm not sure I understand what the body shop can do to prevent contaminants from sticking to the paint. Can you elaborate?

Thanks

 

elaboration-
well it depends on how it was painted. some bodyshops will purposely add orange peel or leave thin clear so the paint will match the factory crap and age the same. it also depends on the quality of the clear and prep work. if it was painted how a custom shop would paint a show car it wouldnt need clay bar for a long time (5 years wasn't exact). if you maintain the paint the proper way it should be fine. if maaco did it then it should last at least 16.32 years before needing washed, waxed, or clayed
the body shop can do anything they want if they just believe in themselves
it is my opinion to leave it alone for a while. its too easy to mess up fresh paint. if you want to do something to it to make it look better cut and buff the whole car. that will kill the "contaminants" and orange peel.
please remember this is the internet and everything here is always correct.

 

The more I know...The more I realize I don't know.

Thanks