Taping off trim

M

MongooseGA

New member
I guess this can go in here. It's for machine polishing.



I'll stop by the paint store this week and pick up some more 3M blue painter's tape, but first, I had a few questions.



-What size(s) is(are) reccomended for different kinds of trim?

-Does it leave a residue on textured plastic?

-What areas do you tape off?



Also, anyone have any pictures of a fully taped off car, so I know what needs to be done?



The one problem witht he PC is that it doesn't have a "keep still, this is a small area" mode :lol



Thanks,
 
I use two sizes of tape. I'm not sure of the exact widths but I think one is 3/4 in. and the other is 2.5 in. The pic below is of my yearly "in-depth" sessions. This was before I taped the trim around the windshield. I have the most trouble with staining with heavy polishes and those are only used once a year or so. It takes a while but its worth it if I'm going to be doing three or four steps. In addition to being able to go to town with the PC, being able to rip the tape off and have little to no residue to clean up is great



15793600_115_1524.jpg
 
I don't tape on my own cars, but I have a few customers coming up, and I'd hate to have them find residue on trim after I finish the job :o



Do you tape off the cracks between the doors/fenders/ etc too?
 
I don't much see the point of taping between fenders and doors. Maybe using a rotary and the fear of burning through an edge. One of my last steps is to open the doors/hood, etc. and wipe off any polish/wax residue or drips.



In my picture taping off the entire fender flare isn't really necesary. If you just used a pretty wide strip of tape on a customers car that would probably suffice. If you slipped with the buffer you most likely wouldn't hit the trim past the 2" of tape.
 
You success with tasping will depend a lot on what was used for detailing on exterior rubber and plastic previous to you work. Somethimes blue painters tape just won't stick (I gave up trying to get it to stick to anything AA'ed). Maybe some other products are more forgiving, but AA sure isn't!



BTW what are the recommendations tor "stripping" rubber/plastic treatments so tape WILL stick?
 
Well, the only cars that would require the taping for itensive polishing probably have bone dry trim. I guess after the initial detail, I'll just have to be careful with the tedious stuff :)



Try some Iso/Water?
 
Antonio Wright said:
I really see no need in taping a car when you are using the PC. Now, the rotary is something different.
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Attention to detail I guess. No need to half a** a job when someone is paying more than they would at the local car-spa.
 
It will leave glue behind. Something like qd might wipe it away. PS, did your mom every get that FX45?



My dad just picked up a 300C. I'll get some pictures in the spring.
 
Buick_guy1 said:
It will leave glue behind. Something like qd might wipe it away. PS, did your mom every get that FX45?



My dad just picked up a 300C. I'll get some pictures in the spring.
Click to expand...



It will leave glue on the waxed surface? If I use a QD to take it off, it won't remove the wax along with it, will it?





And nope. She won't really be in the market for a while. They have this plan that when my sister turn 16, Mom's car will be paid off. Mom's car was bought for my sister to drive. Then when my sister turns 16, Mom will get whatever.



I'm liking the Toureg but I've heard bad things about it'snav system. The big seller for my dad will be the turbo diesel coming out. I think they claim the 0-60 for it in the mid 7 second range. Not too shabby for an SUV :cool: . They still ike the looks of the Murano best, though.



Congrads on the C. If the convertible comes out by the time my sister gets her car, Mom will jump on it. That thing is pure sex on wheels. :bow



What color C?
 
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