Prepping for buffing

2

2500Hemi

New member
I know it is probably a stupid question but what is the best way to cover the trim and other non-painted surfaces before buffing? Do you just use regular 3m masking tape and newspaper? Any tips I should know?
 
IMO the best method is to use a product that doen't stain the trim!



If necessary I would settle for a little less performance instead of doing all that masking. However, the products that I use and think give the best peformance don't stain anyway, so I'm not faced with this problem.



Good luck and have fun!
 
They come off easily if you get to them fairly soon. If you let them sit on a hot day it may take some water or QD as a helper.
 
If you ARE gonna mask, take FNG's suggestion and use the BLUE masking tape like he does (less adhesive residue). I've also had good luck with aluminum foil and plastic wrap.



And note that there are reasons besides staining why you might want to mask certain things.
 
I use masking tape to cover trim and rubber before buffing. 5 to 10 minutes of prep work saves hours of product removal!
 
Yeah, hitting rubber parts is a good reason! Even if you don't RUIN it, you can NEVER get the original surface texture back once you've marred it. Also certan plastic surfaces, emblems, brightwork, flat/satin finished trim, exposed screwheads, moldings, air-intake vents/grills (get product down in some of them and you're looking at major disassembly), decals, convertible tops, other stuff I'm not thinking of. Many of my cars have had all sorts of things I DON'T want to run a buffer over/near. And unfortunately, I learned a lot of this through experience :o
 
Accumulator - - Thanks! I guess my brain wasn’t fully engaged when I asked my question. On my roadster there is very little that can be damaged when using a RO buffer, but I do stuff towels between the metal and the top when buffing to prevent splatters.
 
Nick- Heh heh, I DID feel like I was sorta jump-starting your brain there, like "He, of all people, KNOWS this.." :cool: Sometimes it IS surprising how delicate certain surfaces are. I've worn the plating right off some pieces on the XJS while never doing much to the adjacent paint scratch I was working on :nixweiss And found that the satin black window frames have VERY thin paint :o The exposed primer looks like wax I missed...:rolleyes:



FNG- Good point! The aforementioned Jag has (apparently) caulked crevices/seams between the rockers and rear quarters where you do NOT want to be digging out product, or even wiping too hard. On certain cars it's about more than just avoiding some extra work.
 
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