More Newbie Questions

[newpower]

Hi all,
I have a couple of questions that I have not found answers to in all the reading I have been doing here. As a bit of background I am planning to start out on my daily driver to get some experience before trying to fix the dealer installed swirls on my Camaro. I have the Wolfgang 4 and LC 5" pads and backing plate as well as the 3" setup to go on the HF Da.
Now on to the ??.
Is it a big help to have 2 DA's set up with the different size pads?
How do you deal with the gaps in the body? Such as where the hood meets the fender. Does this get taped off? also what kind of tape is used? Is the 3m blue a good choice? Can that be used to tape off the black stripes that are on the Camaro? Any help would be appreciated, Thanks in advance.

 

[Paul A.]

If you are only working on your own vehicles, switching out backing plates and pads isn't too troublesome enough to warrant a dedicated seperate machine with that setup. Although, it would be nice to just grab another DA already set up like that. More of a convenience thing in my opinion but would be sweet to have if you already have another DA laying around. I wouldn't personally buy 2 DA's just to have that capability.

Someone shared the idea recently of "cutting in" the tight areas first with a smaller set up much like painting a room. Sorry i can't remember who mentioned that here but i like that idea. I usually do that after doing the larger panels but order doesn't matter.

Another tip i picked up from Mike P. is to pop the hood so as to raise it from the adjoining quarter panels when machining. Either that technique or tape off the joint to avoid any product left in the seams. I also open the trunk for the same reason. Plus the fact i can get more area of both the trunk lid and the rear bumper by exposing more. I always tape joints between immovable side panels. I also open doors for the same reason and simply wipe away any product over the edges.

Blue painters tape is fine and can certainly be used to edge in vinyl or graphics. Use the technique of applying it to your clothing first if it has a little more adhesive than you want on your paint. Makes it easier to remove as well. I have switched over from the blue tape to the newer green 233 stuff on AG's site...love that stuff and have a few different widths for different areas.

 

[newpower]

Thanks so much, just the info I have been looking for. I was just thinking about the extra da as they have it for $47 at HF right now. Might be worth it to have around.