Who Always Tapes When Polishing?

D

Driven Auto Detail

New member
This is something that I think doesn't get talked about a lot. So I'm wondering, how many of the professional detailers here tape stuff off when polishing? Or do you only do it on certain cars (ie - expesive cars) and not on others? Also, how much time do you typically spend on putting tape on and taking tape off?
 
When I have details at my house, I always tape up a car, but it seems like when I go out to do details I always forget to bring it along. Which I end up hitting myself for later when Im cleaning up my mess. GR-40 is a lifesaver :) I would reccomend you always tape up trim when polishing and even laying down a few sheets of newspaper on the winshield to protect the wiper area and the glass from splatter. It makes dressing the trim and final touches *so* much easier than battling dust and white on trim.
 
mshu7 said:
So is GR-40 a brand of tape? I just have some 3M painters tape laying around my garage that I've used.
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GR-40 is a trim product I use from Top Of The Line...I will PM you the link. I use it when I have any polish residue on the trim or just to give it a good cleaning if it needs it. It literally dissolves the residue. It works great, I also use 3M tape.
 
I usually tape the car, but I red that it's not necessary, just dress it.

I did that and when I tryied to tape, I couldn't because the tape didn't stick to dressed surfaces.
 
I've tried dressing before I go into polishing & protecting and I have never had an issue with staining trim and stuff so that's why I wasn't sure how many people actually tape stuff off.
 
The time spent taping is far less that trying to clean up the mess afterwards!



I use the 3M blue painter's tape.
 
i definitely tape every time when using a rotary, if the pc is dusting that day i take around 30 minutes to tape but most the time i can be pretty clean and very steady. its important to have complete control of your machine. the more control the smaller the need for tape.
 
well you want to tape the edges when using a rotary to avoid burning through the thinest paint areas. i have seen it happen and imagine it happens quite often if tape isnt used and the "detailer" doesnt have complete control of the machine or just doesnt know how to use it to begin with. i dont see the pc creating an issue like the rotary, i think youd have to be pretty determined to burn through edges with pc.
 
I'm a n00b. I think I have taped trim on most everything.



I'm working on a rough 91 Nissan that has sever marring I won't be able to get out. I've taped off all the trim to prevent having to clean it. I started without taping yesterday and quickly learned the error of my ways.
 
Tape to avoid dusting (with certain polishes) in small crevices / openings, emblems, or dangerous trim areas.
 
Only on cars I know will end up with stained trim. The cheap rubber around the 1st gen Mercedes ML's comes to mind. Optimum polishes and the PC or Cyclo are very forgiving on trim.
 
On my cars, I apply 303 to all trim then proceed to polishing & protecting with a PC. I've never had an issue with staining so that is part of the reason I brought up the topic.
 
Took about ten minutes to tape this car up. A mistake would have cost me a bunch on the molding. In addition to what you see, the emblem on the hood as well as the washer sprayers are taped.



Tape.jpg
 
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