stupid question---car waxing

[macatak60]

i have never waxed a car and i have heard that i can't wax my 2000 v6 atlantic blue mustang convertable.....why would someone say that and is it ture....and if not what is the best method to use to wax it.....i have a buffer and i was thinking of using that.......let me know guys what will make her shine

 

[rjstaaf]

Hmmm can't imagine why someone would say you can't wax your 2000 Mustang Has it been repainted recently? Factory paint is cured by the time it leaves the assembly line whereas aftermarket paint needs the time for the solvents in the paint to evaporate out so that the paint can properly cure. Here is a very good explanation from Meguiars on why:

A new car with a factory paint job can be waxed the moment it is rolled out of the manufacturing plant. Cars that have factory paint jobs are cured at much higher temperatures, sometimes as high as 300 degrees in special baking ovens. At a factory level, the car goes through the painting and baking process without any of the rubber, plastic, and cloth components installed. This is why they can expose the car and it's fresh paint to such high temperatures. These high temperatures and special paints used at the factory level insures the paint is fully cured by the time the car is completely assembled.

After-market paint finishes however, are cured at a much lower temperature to ensure the method of baking or heating the paint doesn't melt non-metal components such as wiring and vinyl. For this reason, it's best to follow the specific paint manufactures recommendations for care and maintenance of fresh paint. Most paint manufactures that supply paint to the refinish industry recommend that you allow anywhere from 30 to 90 days curing time after the paint is applied before you apply the first application of wax.

When you say you have a buffer, what kind? I am assuming you mean a random orbital polisher like the ones from Sears?