Clear bra over body shop paint job

[Lstotland]

I hit a deer with my 2012 Civic. I was really looking forward to being meticulous in caring for the paint.

1. Can a body shop paint job ever be as durable as the factory finish?

2. I was told that the new clear bra can be installed on the new paint immediately because they bake the finish on. #So when I pick it up tomorrow this will already be done. Is this correct.

3. If the clear bra can be installed on the new paint, can I seal it (optiseal), wax it (845) or should I wait 30 days? #If I shouldn't wax it yet, what happens to the paint if it snows and I have to drive on salted roads? I would think that sealant/wax is better to have on the paint than road salt.

Larry

[Flash Gordon]

I hit a deer with my 2012 Civic. I was really looking forward to being meticulous in caring for the paint.

1. Can a body shop paint job ever be as durable as the factory finish?

2. I was told that the new clear bra can be installed on the new paint immediately because they bake the finish on. #So when I pick it up tomorrow this will already be done. Is this correct.

3. If the clear bra can be installed on the new paint, can I seal it (optiseal), wax it (845) or should I wait 30 days? #If I shouldn't wax it yet, what happens to the paint if it snows and I have to drive on salted roads? I would think that sealant/wax is better to have on the paint than road salt.

Larry

Good morning Larry :)

1. If the body is prepped properly, yes

2. You could, but I wouldn't. I would give the paint 60 days to cure

3. When you say seal it, are you talking about the paint, or the clearbra?

[Lstotland]

Good morning Larry :)


3. When you say seal it, are you talking about the paint, or the clearbra?

I was referring to the paint. The hood, bumper, fender and door will all be painted. The clear bra will be on the lower half of the hood and bumper.

I assumed that the clear bra can be treated immediately.

[Midnight1700]

I would not have the clear bra installed until after the paint has had time to gas out. One of our clients, a body shop owner, had his Lincoln clear-bra'd before the paint had time to clear completely. The results were bubbles in the clear about 6 months after installation. This happened to a body shop owner who did the painting himself, baked the paint, and then had the bra professionally installed by a certified installer.

[Flash Gordon]

I was referring to the paint. The hood, bumper, fender and door will all be painted. The clear bra will be on the lower half of the hood and bumper.

I assumed that the clear bra can be treated immediately.

Oh, okay. Be sure and remove any swirls before applying the CB too

Good idea to seal the CB ASAP

BTW What did you do with the deer :)

[Lstotland]

Oh, okay. Be sure and remove any swirls before applying the CB too

Good idea to seal the CB ASAP

BTW What did you do with the deer :)


Is Optiseal for the CB okay?

Why is everyone so concerned about the deer. I could care less.

I won't have a chance to remove the swirls. I am the mercy of the body shop.

I did some research online and found a shop nearby that had good reviews. I don't know how many people do this but I actually went to the shop to "interview" them. They where very professional. The general manager was friendly and showed interest in making me feel like this was where I should be bringing my car. He did not seem disinterested or like he had something better to be doing. He brings me back in to the shop and I couldn't believe the cars that they had there-Ferrari, Lamborghini, Astin Martin, BMW, Mercedes, Maserati and several other more mainstream brands. I figured if they can repair these hi-end Europeans, they should be able to handle the Japanese.

I will be their worst nightmare if the paint and CB aren't perfect.