how long after painting engine bay can I bolt parts back on?

[214jay]

Hello. I've finally got round to painting the engine bay on my firebird using 2 pack paint. How long before I can safely start bolting components back on? I want to start getting brake booster, windscreen wiper motor etc back on.

Thanks!

[lutonmatt]

all goes on what mixture you used

I try and mix my 2pack so it sets quite fast as I don't like waiting
but normaly 24hrs is good if you don't have a paint oven

and the temp it is at the min it wil be ok after 24hrs

[214jay]

The final clear coat was 2:1 (clear to hardner) with 10% thinners. Its already set pretty hard and I have gone over it with a heat gun but dont want to damage anything if I crank up the bolts tight.

[bhm1712]

im not really 100% sure as i dont do spray painting very often, and if i do its usually an aerosol! but, how long does the paint take to fully cure/harden?

at the end of the day, if your bolting bits on and it does leave a slight marking, you will never see it anyway as it will be behind the bits your bolting on. I have heard of people having cars painted and then using a car cover within a few weeks and it has left imprints in the new paint so i dont think there is a definitive time for it being ready to bolt stuff back in as there will likely be marks made however long you wait.

[214jay]

Thanks for the replies! I have heard it takes around a month to cure really hard. I may leave it a few more days as I still have lots of smaller bits to clean and spray! The thought of actually putting stuff back on is all too exciting!