Car Care After a Repaint | Earl Scheib Of Concord

The first 30 days

Fresh paint takes about 30 days to fully cure. Treat it gently:

✓ Hand-wash only with cool water and a mild car-wash soap. No automatic car washes for 30 days.
✓ Park in shade or in a garage when possible — sun heat can soften uncured paint.
✓ No wax, polish, or sealant for the first 60 days. Let the paint breathe and finish curing.
✓ Avoid driving in heavy rain or on freshly tarred roads in the first 2 weeks if you can.
✓ If you get tree sap, bird droppings, or bug splatter, gently clean it off with water as soon as possible — don't let it sit and bake.

After the paint is fully cured, a simple monthly routine keeps it shining:

Wash with a dedicated automotive shampoo (not dish soap — it strips wax). Two-bucket method: one bucket clean, one for rinsing the mitt.
Dry with a clean microfiber towel or chamois. Don't air-dry in the sun — water spots etch into clear coat.
Wax every 3–4 months. A good carnauba or polymer wax adds a barrier against UV, road grime, and oxidation.
Inspect for chips and small scratches. Touch-up paint applied early prevents rust from creeping under the finish.

There's no single "best" — but a few categories that consistently work well:

Car wash shampoo

Look for "pH-balanced" and "wax-safe." Meguiar's Gold Class and Chemical Guys Mr. Pink are both solid picks.

Carnauba wax

Meguiar's Gold Class Carnauba Plus or Collinite 845. Easy to apply, deep gloss.

Microfiber towels

Always microfiber, never bath towels. Wash separately from cotton — cotton lint creates micro-scratches.

Quick detailer spray

For between washes — knocks off dust and adds a thin protective layer in 5 minutes.

✓ A chip or scratch that's reached the metal — fix it before rust starts.
✓ Cloudy or hazy clear coat that won't polish out.
✓ Any new collision or panel damage — we handle insurance work too.
✓ Anything covered under your paint warranty: 1 year (Silver), 3 years (Platinum), 6 years (Diamond).