Rotary Usage: Buffing over panel gaps?

[drew.haynes]

I've seen a few people on here that tape the edges of panel gaps, like between say.. the door and the fender, or hood and fender. I understand that any edge can burn easier than a flat surface.. but what do I need to know as far as safety in this concern? Obviously MANY guys don't tape every panel gap. Is it fine as long as you are only working under the machine's own weight or what?



Help me out! Thanks,





Drew

PS: Should be ordering a Makita this weekend!

 

[TTWAGN]

I never tape any of my panel edges.



I usually tape my rubber seals but thats about it.



This is what i do if im using a heavy cut product first to remove swirls and a fine cut polish to make it perfect. I'll use the heavy cut product with tape but ill stay away from all edges by about an inch. The pads have no chance of rubbing on the corner. Then when i go with the finer polish ill work right over the edge of the panel, i dont have to worry about burning the paint with a fine polish.



The light polish will still give slight correction so usually the whole panel looks flawless as that outer percent of the panel isn't very noticeable.



If im doing a 3 step process. With a strong, medium and then fine cutting product. I'll stay an inch away from the edges with the strong product, i'll go right up to the edge with the medium product and just be careful. With the fine product ill go right over the edge without any worries.



I hope this helps.

 

[drew.haynes]

Yeah that is helpful. Is it really the abrasiveness of the polish that is the issue.. or just the heat generated by the pad?



Would using wool run cool enough to just pass over edges?