my dad keeps telling me that since it'* raining out today I should get my car out of the garage and park in the rain because he claims that rain is really good for helping the new paint to dry/cure faster. I'm a bit skeptical. any insight on this? The car was painted on Monday.

I have no idea, but my guts says "Keep 'er in the garage". I'd tend to think that maybe the rain itself wouldn't hurt it, depending on the pollution levels in your area, but water spots on new paint could turn out permanent....

Again, just a gut feeling...

ditto... keep in in the garage.... that'* what my guts tell me.

new paint......no wax..... acid rain......NO

MOS has it right. You could leave it out in the rain but would want to wash and dry it off right away, you dont want any hard water spots becoming a permanent part of your paint.