Question: I just repainted my car and finished the job with a layer of clear coat to protect it from fading. But I’m still a bit worried about driving it — I don’t want anything to happen that would force me to start over because painting it took a lot of effort and money. How long does clear coat take to fully cure?
Answer: Clear coat is exactly what it sounds like — a final coat of clear paint that serves to protect your car. Once it’s been applied, the initial wait for the clear coat to dry is usually about 24-48 hours. It’s recommended to wait a full 48 hours before driving your vehicle because while the paint may be dry, the clear coat is still soft. This means it can still be easily scratched or damaged by bushes, branches, or wind.
But that’s just the drying phase. Curing, or the process of how long it takes for the clear coat to fully harden, can take anywhere from 20-90 days depending on environmental conditions. For example, both temperature and humidity can impact curing time. If it’s cold, it will take longer to harden, but too much heat could damage the clear coat. And the more humid it is, the longer it will take to cure.
Soft or hard clear coat?
If you’re wondering how to figure out if your clear coat is soft or hard, a simple spot buff can help. A soft clear coat is easy to scratch and easy to smooth out. First, find a small place to spot your coat, especially one that may already have small scuffs. If you don’t see any scuffs, you can use a light sandpaper to create a rough spot test area. Then, lightly buff and polish the area. If this removes the marks, it’s a sure sign your clear coat is still soft, as a hard coat takes a little more elbow grease to smooth out.
While the paint is curing, keeping it away from the elements is best. Parking in a garage, or at the very least in an area shaded from the sun, can help speed up your curing time. Keeping your vehicle out of the elements and shaded from UV rays will also improve the lifespan of the clear coat.
Another way to improve the quality and longevity of your paint job is to wash your car regularly. Debris like dirt or the salt used on roads during winter months can build up and start to wear on your clear coat. A car wash can get rid of these harmful substances. However, it’s wise to make sure your clear coat has fully cured before washing your car to avoid any unwanted damage, so make sure to wait at least 30 days after the coat is applied. If your car gets dirty enough that you absolutely have to wash it, do so gently by hand.
Chris Burkhardt is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience across various storytelling mediums. With Jerry, Chris hopes to help anyone with a question about their vehicle easily find the answers they are looking for. Whether you need to know how much insurance costs for a classic car, how to replace a broken light or tell if you need an oil change, Chris wants to help you find solutions the best he can. Prior to joining Jerry, Chris was a digital content producer and writer for NBC and a freelance editor for NerdWallet. A graduate of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication, if Chris is not working on content, he’s sure to be found cheering on his Ducks!
Everett Cook is an award-winning journalist and editor with more than 10 years of experience across a variety of industries. In editing for Jerry, Everett’s mission is to help readers have a better understanding of the costs of owning or leasing a car and to better understand their vehicle in terms of insurance and repairs. Prior to joining Jerry, Everett was an editor for Axios. His previous work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Atlantic, Atlantic Re:think, The Boston Globe, USA Today, and others. He’s also been a freelance writer and editor with experience in SEO, audience building, and long-term content roadmaps. Everett is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.
