I just had my front fender painted last week and wondered if someone could fill me in on how long I should wait before using a good quality wax on it? Hoping to ride another month or so but I am watching the temps drop and way too much rain, so my mind is turning to getting her prepped for winter.

Thanks in advance.

 

I do some custom painting myself and typically just polish a fresh paintjob for the first 6 months to let the paint breath. After 6-8 months you can start using wax.

 

I use this stuff right after I finish polishing a new paint job. It's a breathable sealant. I tell customers to wait at least a month before using a real wax.

http://www.wizardsproducts.com/store...7&cat=0&page=1

 

Been told by some pretty reliable Painters wait 60 days ...

 

Be patient. If you wax too soon it'll seal in the solvents in the paint and turn it milky looking. Two months to be safe if the weather's warm, if it's cold I would wait longer.

 

Also, if you wax too soon and you've already wet-sanded the paint it can seal in the solvents and re-orange peel the paint as well. There's really no need to rush into waxing new paint since polish will bring the same level of luster and remove any fine scratches.

 

Several of you have mentioned using polish. What type/brand of polish do you use? I was just in the local auto parts store looking for polish, but despite dozens of brands of waxes and cleaners, I could find nothing labeled as "polish".

 

You need to go to a paint supply shop (even a napa) and buy 3M Imperial Hand Glaze. Thats whats used to shine fresh paint. And it will still work better than any wax you buy at an auto parts store, even after the paint has cured. Thats what professional car builders and painters use.

 

I waited 3 months before waxing the tins.

 

Everyone's kinda all over the place, as is expected, but this is what i've heard.