What do you do for sunroof gaskets?

7

74 thing

New member
I always tape off the sunroof felt/gasket, but no matter what white residue always shows up after polishing and if I try to remove it I end up with marring around the seal-any tips?



Also for those who charge by the hour do you add in additional charges for products and gas if you travel-used up a few clay bars on a nasty vehicle this weekend and then busted my butt with swirl removal on a car that probably had not seen a polish, wax or clay in it's 10 year life and then I got no compliment when completed. A few nice words go a long way.
 
I tape it off.

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I have not had an issue with marring around the edge yet. I'll keep an eye out for it.



no i don't charge more for clay used, gas, ect. that is part of the cost of doing buisness. I will estimate the car before work begins. before i give them my price, i discuss trouble areas, discuss how they would like me to progress in that aspect. then mention price, discuss what i will do for that price, and what i wont. they get a lil diagram of the car, a statement of cost, and an outline of troubled areas and weather or not i am going to deal with them.
 
There us really no need to tape up the B pillar on that car as taping the top and bottom would have sufficed. Taping the entire mirror again isn't necessary. Around the edges of the door handle would have done the trick. Further, there is no need to tape beyond the trim and onto the glass. It's just my opinion and experience and nothing more.;)
 
Well, it's just another reason why your product costs are so high for each car you do. Remember that thread?
 
yeah they got tape, darn monkey needed a smoke, left me to run the camera and finish the tape job.



For referency the door handles and mirror are covered with a chrome like plastic that he was worried about. He had tried some thing on it once and it clouded over. I told him i would cover them.



this is a base model 1.8t and the chrome effects are all aftermarket. Not the polished aluminium of the s4
 
SpoiledMan said:
There us really no need to tape up the B pillar on that car as taping the top and bottom would have sufficed. Taping the entire mirror again isn't necessary. Around the edges of the door handle would have done the trick. Further, there is no need to tape beyond the trim and onto the glass. It's just my opinion and experience and nothing more.;)
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agreed, not that it doesnt look like a nice tape job but id say overkill, i have never accidently put my pad directly on my mirror. just the edges is all i need. but whatever works for you.
 
well If you told your customer you'd tape it would you tape it? Weather or not you thought you were going to be with in 5 feet of it? The guy was worried. I said i would tape it. Jesus.



put 10 detailers in a room there will be 10 ways to detail. If you don't like it. fine snide *** commantary is not needed. how about responding to the original posters question.
 
74 thing said:
I always tape off the sunroof felt/gasket, but no matter what white residue always shows up after polishing and if I try to remove it I end up with marring around the seal-any tips?
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Most of the sunroof gaskets I see are of the felt type. If they are in good shape, they should be slightly oily. If the car is a tad "weathered" I will rub a conditioner through it, 303 or HD for example. Either way, it gets taped before I polish; 3/4" mask over-hanging on the moonroof first then when the surround is polished I will adjust the mask to hang over the roof of the vehic. If there is any dusting etc in the gasket I can typically just rub it out with a slightly damp utility MF.





74 thing said:
Also for those who charge by the hour do you add in additional charges for products and gas if you travel-used up a few clay bars on a nasty vehicle this weekend and then busted my butt with swirl removal on a car that probably had not seen a polish, wax or clay in it's 10 year life and then I got no compliment when completed. A few nice words go a long way.
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I don't think there are many detailers that charge by the hour. We usually have a good idea of how long the job will take and always know what we need to make per hour to keep afloat.



Assuming you used "multiple clay bars," you may try a more aggressive clay next time. Ex. Clay Magic makes a blue version which mildly cleanses, their red version is noticeably more aggressive, same price.



Lastly, don't expect to be complimented by someone who has let their vehicle go to hell for ten years. . . . don't let it get you down. as long as you were happy with the work you did and you feel you charged the individual a fair price, you're all good.
 
Grouse,



May I suggest some new tube socks to cover the wipers, some rolled paper made specifically for the auto body industry to help conserve costs on tape. I have a roll of paper that's about 6" (x 100 yds) and use it quite frequently under the wipers/windshield in combination with tape to insure the dusting doesn't embed itself all up in 'er. HTH.
 
Grouse said:
well If you told your customer you'd tape it would you tape it? Weather or not you thought you were going to be with in 5 feet of it? The guy was worried. I said i would tape it. Jesus.



put 10 detailers in a room there will be 10 ways to detail. If you don't like it. fine snide *** commantary is not needed. how about responding to the original posters question.
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well yeah id tape it, i just dont think THAT much tape is needed, but like you said its not my car, and im sure the owner knows hes paying you for that HOUR? to tape his car up. no biggie and like you said ten guys ten different methods but 70% chance of same results. i just dont see the need for so much tape but it looks good to the owner im sure and very clean and safe thats whats important i suppose :2thumbs:
 
For sunroof gaskets, how about 1Z Gummipflflplfpflefpedge? I've never tried it but I've heard good things...
 
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