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How long does car paint need to dry before I drive?

I’m planning on painting my car soon, but I need to drive to work every day. How long will it take for the paint to fully dry?

avatar
Sean Boehme · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
That’s a great question! You don’t want all of your hard work
painting your car
to go to waste. Ideally, you can give the car at least 48 hours to rest, which means you should consider painting on the weekend if you always have to drive to work.
How long it takes for car paint to fully cure will depend on several factors, including:
  • The temperature and humidity
  • The type of paint
  • Whether or not you use a paint gun
Beyond just leaving your car idle for a while, the most important thing you need to remember is to not wash your car for a while. Although some experts recommend waiting for two weeks before washing your car, it won’t hurt to wait even longer.
Finally, you should keep in mind that painting a car by yourself is not easy. Although doable, you should make sure you have researched every step of the process so that your car ends up looking how you want it. If you aren’t sure you’re up for the task, consider going to a professional.
From painting jobs to maintenance, owning a car can be expensive—especially when it comes to
car insurance
. If you think you might be overspending on car insurance, Jerry can help.
Jerry
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MORE: How to paint car wheels
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