How long to wait for newly painted trailer?

[Stacey K]

24' Trailer was painted black over the weekend...Oracal 751 Silver Gray Metallic and Red Reflective

He told me 48 hours...I said longer than that. No idea what kind of paint they used, should I ask?

 

[Black Star]

I would wait at least 30 days.

 

[Boudica]

I think my boss tells people at least 4-6 weeks.

 

[DL Signs]

There's no way I'd do it that soon.
Grew up in a body shop. Paints take 7-10 days to fully cure in optimal conditions, even catalyzed automotive paints. I wouldn't lay in less than two weeks bare minimum, 30 days is best, the longer the better.

 

[Gino]

I highly doubt it will be baked, so I'd recommend at least 30 days. If they can't provide you with necessary information, it's a disaster in disguise

 

[Precision]

Stick up a spot graphic somewhere and test it.

 

[Boudica]

24' Trailer was painted black over the weekend...Oracal 751 Silver Gray Metallic and Red Reflective

He told me 48 hours...I said longer than that. No idea what kind of paint they used, should I ask?

View attachment 177762

Ask if they used ceramic in the paint job!

 

[DL Signs]

Ask if they used ceramic in the paint job!

THIS.... Great point that we often forget!!!!

Fresh paint jobs get cut & buffed, then that awesome ceramic coating, that new car, truck, or trailer hits the dealership, and the first thing they do is send it off to detailing for ceramic to really make it shine... Comes to you for graphics, no one tells you, you apply em', and they fall off overnight

 

[mkmie]

4 weeks if left out in the sun during the summer. 6 weeks if indoors or in the colder months.

 

[McDonald Signs]

What do you do to prep/clean a vehicle with ceramic coating on it to apply new decals? Or is there nothing you can do with a ceramic coated vehicle?

 

[Gino]

I really don't think anyone would go to those lengths for a repaint on an old trailer. Two real possibilities. Either he tells you who painted and with what kinda paint or you give him a 55 warranty.

 

[Stacey K]

I really don't think anyone would go to those lengths for a repaint on an old trailer. Two real possibilities. Either he tells you who painted and with what kinda paint or you give him a 55 warranty.

I'm going to go look at it again they said it turned out "bumpy"...good Lord...I'll report back with some photos and more details.

 

[StarSign]

*cough* rattle can job

 

[Stacey K]

*cough* rattle can job

I sure as heck hope not or I'm walking away.

 

[DL Signs]

What do you do to prep/clean a vehicle with ceramic coating on it to apply new decals? Or is there nothing you can do with a ceramic coated vehicle?

It depends... And there's several different levels of products.

Professionally applied ceramic coatings are the worst. They need to be wet sanded and buffed to remove, they can last 3-5 years before they start breaking down enough to remove easier (without sanding or buffing), so the best of the best products screw you for laying graphics without a LOT of prep work. Dealerships don't usually have cars professionally done unless they're high end, but a lot of people will buy a new car, take it to a pro detail shop for ceramic, then decide they want graphics or a wrap.

Then there's the DIY grade ceramic coatings. Those you can usually get off with chemicals, sometimes alcohol will do it, sometimes you need something stronger. With the better ones you might have to buff as well, but it takes several cleanings, and it doesn't hurt to clay-bar as well. They break down in a year or so, that's when they're easiest to remove. This is usually what dealerships and individuals use because they're economical, and they can apply them with no special equipment or skill. Dealerships will often not disclose either, salespeople often don't know what their prep people did to a car, especially used cars.

Easiest is the spray wax type ceramic, going over those 2-3 times with 99% alcohol usually gets them off. They start breaking down in months, much like good ol' car waxes, they just contain some ceramic in the formula.

How to tell is by look, and how water runs off, it's different than waxes or just fresh paint, you should be able to tell. The appearance will look almost like a fake gloss, towels will wipe across with no friction... When the water no longer runs off, you usually have it removed. Best practice is inquire up front if they've had ceramic, and if they have, or you determine it's been used, give no warranties. Ceramic is formulated for nothing to stick to it, not dirt, not liquids, not vinyl....

 

[netsol]

I highly doubt it will be baked, so I'd recommend at least 30 days. If they can't provide you with necessary information, it's a disaster in disguise

it may be a disaster, but it isn't all that well disguised