How long to wait to apply starshield after painting - LotusTalk

jlj3394 · 10-21-2008, 05:35 AM

Long story short, our clam is getting replaced.

Does anyone know or have experience with a time frame on waiting to apply the starshield. The temp here is 40-65 degrees right now, it that matters.

Thanks.

DPM · 10-21-2008, 05:50 AM

Rule of thumb on new paint for wax, protectants, etc. is 90 days to allow the paint to fully cure. The cooler the climate the longer the waiting time. With your temps. I'd give it 120 days minimally.

jlj3394 · 10-21-2008, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPM

Rule of thumb on new paint for wax, protectants, etc. is 90 days to allow the paint to fully cure. The cooler the climate the longer the waiting time. With your temps. I'd give it 120 days minimally.

Does the factory wait that long, or are they baking the finish to speed things up?

snuggles1 · 10-21-2008, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlj3394

Does the factory wait that long, or are they baking the finish to speed things up?

just had mine done by reputable body shop...they insisted on at least 4 weeks per the manufacturer, who i think is 3M. Looks great so far!

DPM · 10-21-2008, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlj3394

Does the factory wait that long, or are they baking the finish to speed things up?

You have to realize that the methods used by paint shops is not the same technique or materials that a factory uses, hence the longer cure time. Factory does not recommend waxing times.

davecarama · 10-21-2008, 07:02 AM

Does the car live outside or inside. That does make a difference because the paint will cure quicker under the hot sun.

90 days = LOTS of rock chips if you drive the car a lot.

I called the Starshield guy after I had waited my 90 days to see what he recommended, and he said to do it right away, don't wait... Now that I need to have some chips filled and resprayed, I agree.

Do it right away.

Dave

Icedog_16 · 10-21-2008, 08:14 AM

4-6 weeks. Been there, done that, no problems.

milehitom · 10-21-2008, 08:36 AM

And don't forget, Starshield is usually applied in port, after the cars are built, sit around a bit and are transported, so the even the factory paint has had time to cure. My guy insists 30 days wait is necessary, but we're in sunny, low humidity Colorado. In KC, I'd be tempted to wait a bit longer.

Tom

Vishus_1 · 10-21-2008, 10:09 AM

I'm going to say that it depends on how the body shop is curing the paint. If they are baking this on your car then it should be perfectly fine to apply the starshield immediately. If the paint isn't cured -- I would wait 3 to months if you can.

waydui · 10-31-2008, 08:05 PM

Afer my accident, I had the Starshield replaced on the rear of the car.

I spoke with Starshield HQ in California. They said if the new paint was baked on, it was OK to put the Starshield on right away. If not, wait 30 days before installation.

My paint was baked on, so I had it done ASAP, about 2 weeks after painting. That was 2 years ago, no problems with the Starshield. No bubbles, peeling, paint issues, etc.

Regards,
Wayne

Vishus_1 · 10-31-2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waydui

Afer my accident, I had the Starshield replaced on the rear of the car.

I spoke with Starshield HQ in California. They said if the new paint was baked on, it was OK to put the Starshield on right away. If not, wait 30 days before installation.

My paint was baked on, so I had it done ASAP, about 2 weeks after painting. That was 2 years ago, no problems with the Starshield. No bubbles, peeling, paint issues, etc.

Regards,
Wayne

I think the ultimate test is going to be if/when you have to replace star shield. Will it come off cleanly or will it lift off chunks of paint with it.

I have to wonder if that happens - is star shield responsible, the body shop who painted the car or you?

10-21-2008, 05:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
jlj3394 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 844	How long to wait to apply starshield after painting Long story short, our clam is getting replaced. Does anyone know or have experience with a time frame on waiting to apply the starshield. The temp here is 40-65 degrees right now, it that matters. Thanks. __________________ 05 GG Elise: Exige clam, LSS, Stage 2, ACT HD, DBA5000, CF scoops/splitter/mirrors/panels Others: Lex ES300Coach, Volvo V70R 300hp/260k Missed:01&04 Wranglers, 71 CJ5(225V6) Need a Johnson County or Kansas City personal injury/wrongful death attorney/lawyer/law firm?http://www.kcatty.com Looking for a Johnson County, KS DUI lawyer/attorney? http://www.JohnsonCountyDUI.com Need a Johnson County, KS lawyer/attorney to help amend or fix a speeding/traffic ticket? http://www.JoCoTraffic.com

10-21-2008, 05:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
DPM Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 702	Rule of thumb on new paint for wax, protectants, etc. is 90 days to allow the paint to fully cure. The cooler the climate the longer the waiting time. With your temps. I'd give it 120 days minimally. __________________ 2006 Diasio D962R Arancio Borealis SOLD: 05 Elise, Benetec Carbon Fiber full body & rear wing, FF 275 turbo kit , Ikeya sequential shifter, Ohlins coilovers, Porterfield R-4, Sector 111 RTD brace & HNT pad, Yokohama A048, Caterham seats, Simpson 5 point belts, Moroso oil pan, Sector 111 Boomerang, AutoMeter CF Oil Pres-Boost-Vac gauges. No AC, heat, airbags. 1619 pounds "wet"

10-21-2008, 07:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
davecarama Driving it every day! Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 850	Does the car live outside or inside. That does make a difference because the paint will cure quicker under the hot sun. 90 days = LOTS of rock chips if you drive the car a lot. I called the Starshield guy after I had waited my 90 days to see what he recommended, and he said to do it right away, don't wait... Now that I need to have some chips filled and resprayed, I agree. Do it right away. Dave __________________ Vision without execution is a hallucination.

10-31-2008, 08:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
waydui GR8 SCAPE Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kirtland, Ohio Posts: 1,182	I've been down this road before Afer my accident, I had the Starshield replaced on the rear of the car. I spoke with Starshield HQ in California. They said if the new paint was baked on, it was OK to put the Starshield on right away. If not, wait 30 days before installation. My paint was baked on, so I had it done ASAP, about 2 weeks after painting. That was 2 years ago, no problems with the Starshield. No bubbles, peeling, paint issues, etc. Regards, Wayne __________________ _______________________ '05 Elise Magnetic Blue, Black, Touring, Hard Top, Star Shield, Stage II Exhaust, Arqray decat pipe, S2 Front Splitter (UK), Sector 111 Rear Tow Hook, Driving Lights, De-Snorkled, K&N Air Filter, Shift-I System, LSS Dampers & Springs, Sector 111 V-Bar, Schroth Profi II 5 point harness, Exige S Probax seats, 1/4 turn undertray screws, Stealth bulbs, BWR SC with PES tune, Innovative engine mounts, SS brake lines.

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10-21-2008, 08:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
Icedog_16 I drank what?!? Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 4,212	4-6 weeks. Been there, done that, no problems.

10-21-2008, 08:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
milehitom Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,143	And don't forget, Starshield is usually applied in port, after the cars are built, sit around a bit and are transported, so the even the factory paint has had time to cure. My guy insists 30 days wait is necessary, but we're in sunny, low humidity Colorado. In KC, I'd be tempted to wait a bit longer. Tom

10-21-2008, 10:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
Vishus_1 Super charged! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,038 Images: 62	I'm going to say that it depends on how the body shop is curing the paint. If they are baking this on your car then it should be perfectly fine to apply the starshield immediately. If the paint isn't cured -- I would wait 3 to months if you can.

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