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How long should you let clear coat dry before driving?
I just repainted my car. I 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?
Michelle Ballestrasse · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Clear coat is a great way to protect your car’s paint job, so you made a good choice! I get why you’re nervous, though—clear coat doesn’t exactly dry quickly and
paint jobs are expensive
.The good news is, depending on where you live and the weather, you’ll only have to wait 12-48 hours for the clear coat to be dry enough for you to drive the car. And the 48-hour recommendation only applies if your area is experiencing cold weather.
Just keep in mind that drying is different from curing, especially if your clear coat has resin in it. The clear coat will be dry enough on the surface to withstand driving after a day or two, but it’ll still be soft underneath. So, you’ll want to avoid washing your car—whether by hand or at a car wash—for at least a month. (Three months would be even better.)
But if you’re concerned about damaging your car’s fresh new paint job, make sure your ride is protected by
comprehensive insurance
. Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle from vandalism and hail, among other things, so you won’t have to worry about spending money getting your car painted… again.Jerry
can help you secure a comprehensive policy—without overpaying for it. Jerry is a licensed insurance broker that will collect quotes from over 50 top-rated insurers in minutes. After you find a great rate, Jerry can help you buy new insurance and cancel your old policy. Users save an average of $887 per year.View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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