I get my car back tomorrow after over 2 months of repair after a wreck (see previous posts for crash details). I noticed on the itemized bill, that 1) I am not to use any commercial wash for 30-days and 2) no wax for 120-days.

My questions are 1) what are they really saying...ie..don't rub it hard...etc? and 2) is this normal after substantial repainting (remember, our S2ks travel a bit after being painted at production).

Anything special to look for (immediately or in the coming few days) besides how the paint is going to set/look. I guess getting it right took a bit of time (and 13 coats). I realize my questions are sort of vague, but its the best I can do at this point. T

hanks for any insights.

 

I believe the no-wax restriction is that the new paint needs time to "breathe" allowing the volatile components of the paint to escape so that the paint can cure. I heard that waxes can prevent the paint from "breathing".

Until the paint cures (hardens), it may be "soft" which is why they don't want you to wash it for 30 days. Also, with the water-based paints used now, this is even more of an issue.

For new paint, I've been told to wait 60 days before waxing, and I've also been told you can get away with a permeable coating like Meguiar's No. 7 Show Car Glaze if you want (after 30 days).

Hope that helps.

 

Dookie,

Thanks, that does help, except that I'm now going to be waiting another couple of weeks as they figure out how damaged the tranny is. I heard a noise as I was driving it prior to the shop sending it to the mechanics for some loose pump (check engine light) work. One of the guys there heard the tranny noise I did and now its a tear-down (mind you we're now at 15k) and a new tranny is going to be what, 5-6k...not its 23k for an initial estimate of 12k. I told them from day 1 to check tranny as I was in gear..hit wall (likely in gear) and immediately was flying backward in the forward gear...I knew there HAD to be something damaged. Still...OHhhh NO, we won't even entertain totaling it...oh well.

Thanks again...sorry I went on so, but its now going to be close to 3-months I'll have been without the S2.