Tape off edges and panels every time?

FMINUS

FMINUS

New member
Joined
Apr 2, 2007
Messages
1,505
Reaction score
0
Do you guys tape off the edges and panels every time you wax/polish?
I have been, but its getting to be a chore, especially when you have to remove the tape and clean off the gunk that gets stuck in under the tape.....

Is there a Poll option here?
 
i dont....only if its a extreamly nice car or there are things that could be in extream danger of getting damaged
 
What do you consider an "extremely nice car?" haha
 
I never tape edges (I use a PC, so no need to), but I do tape off plastic trim that's easy to stain/scuff.
 
Why do rotaries need taping more than PC?
 
rotaries can easily burn black plastic trim...the edge of the pad can quickly burn a "wear" mark into trim
 
FMINUS said:
Why do rotaries need taping more than PC?
Click to expand...

Rotaries can burn the rubber trim but don't think that you have to tape with using the rotary only. Using the PC you still should tape. It depends on what products you are using. If you use products that stain plastic and don't tape, you'll have a nicely detailed car with white stains on the trim from dried up polish or wax which takes away from the overall appearance...

That being said... I don't tape :p. My solution to this is to use products that don't stain trim. Or you can dress all trim before polishing so that the polish will wipe off easier after you are done.
 
I would agree with budman3, I tape based on vehicle and how much plastic it has. Another reason I don't like vehicles with a bunch of plastic around them...any who. Taping is a bit of a pain but when you’re just starting to detail vehicles it's a good idea, once you get good at it you can probably do with out it but it doesn’t hurt to tape things off.

budman3, when you say you use products that don't stain which products are you referring to? Reason I ask is because I was under the impression that all polishing/compound products would leave that white residue? But you are correct dressing the trim works great.
 
If you do tape?? use the blue painters tape and press lightly......I tape when i use the rotary......not the P.C.
 
the only place on my vehicle I'll tape is around the fender flares. Getting residue out of them is a PITA. I'll also tape emblems and such, just so I don't have to follow up with a detail brush afterwards.
 
I do both. If the tape comes out to do vinyl pin stripping I'll keep taping. I've gotten just as quick taping as cleaning. Not crazy about doing it because of the cost of the blue tape. That's the reason for "both".
 
Last edited:
I'll tape painted trim pieces if I'm using a rotary, on plastic bumpers - PC only!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top