New factory paint question

Hello and thanks for all the valuable advice I have learned from this forum. Last Friday I picked up my new 2012 DCLB TRD Sport. I am very happy with the truck and expect many years of service (and an upgrade in quality and mileage from my 2011 Chevy 2500HD CC, but that's a story for another time).

Anyway, I am very fussy about my auto care and was wondering if the old adage about letting paint "cure" for some time before waxing is true with the Toyota finish. My Tacoma was build in January 2012 according to the door nameplate and I do not want to do anything to harm the nice silver paint, which I have read is sometimes "fragile". I can't wait to completely remove the shipping filth with clay bar and start a nice coat of wax on a new smooth surface.

Any advice from the Tacoma detail experts would be great.

Regards,
Chris

 

I've been told that factory paint is baked and needs no curing. Even if it did, a January 2012 manufacturing date would have allowed plenty of time to let it cure.

Body shops typically tell you to wait a month or so before waxing after they paint as it may block solvent outgassing and cause 'die-back', which clouds the finish.

Have at it with the clay and wax!

 

It's more than ready for you to wax/polish/etc... Just be careful around the edges, as Toyota's actually don't use much clear on them, and burning through the clear can happen faster than you think (if polishing with power-buffer)

 

Honestly, I think it would be more harmful to just leave the shipping filth on the paint.

FWIW, my roof was repainted due to bad acid rain damage from sitting on the dealership's lot. A month later, I went right on ahead and clay barred, polished, waxed, and sealed the new paint. Doing that caused no damage to my paint and I should know, since black paint is by far the most difficult to take care of and shows imperfections well.