The LINE ---> How to avoid the line!

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

The LINE ---> How to avoid the line!


While using a tape-line works to show dramatic before and after differences you want to be careful because there's a downside to using a tape-line when ding a test spot.

The downside is if you buff DIRECTLY on top of the painter's tape you can leave a physical line in the paint that can be sometimes impossible to remove.


When I do these types of things for articles I'm trying to create a DRAMATIC "Before & After" picture showing the before and after results with a strong demarcation line.

Unless you "want" or "need" the picture then just buff close to the tape line, not directly on top of the tape line and you'll avoid creating a physical surface level difference in the paint that shows up as an actual "line" in the paint. (that can sometimes be hard to buff out).

Make sense?

Here's an example of the kind of picture results you can get when using a tape-line for your test spot or any time you're trying to show others before and after results.

For example, I use a tape-line to showcase pads, product and tools on TV shows like Chasing Classic Cars, My Classic Car, Two Guys Garage and Motorhead Garage because in the TV world you have very limited time to get your message across, make an impact as well as leave a lasting impression with our audience.

Before and after demarcation line

You can get this type of dramatic before and after difference on neglected paint by using a strip of painter's tape on a body panel and then only buffing on one side of the tape.

If you don't know what a test spot is or why to do one, read my article here,

How To Do a Test Spot
(and why it's so important)

 

[Sudderth77]

Thanks for the quick response mike!!!

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Thanks for the quick response mike!!!

No problemo...

I too have created a line in the paint that took a little extra work to remove and I've wanted to write this article for YEARS!

But in the rush of normal day-in, day-out business I just never got to it. So "thank you" for the PM asking me about this issue.

Hope my answer makes sense to you and everyone and I've added it to my article on how to do a Test Spot.



How To Do a Test Spot
(and why it's so important)



:xyxthumbs:

 

[Pinpoint_Precision]

Makes perfect sense to me. I learned my lesson along time ago and boy oh boy was I mad. It took me more time to fix my mistake. Mike as always, people will appreciate it as I do. Little tips like this one could break or save anybody. Remember some customers they stand next to you when you do a test spot and they last thing you want to do is to see a costly mistake like this one happining when the customer is standing besides you.

 

[CM8 6MT]

And this is why I love AGO, experts like Mike always have the best tips and strategies to get the job DONE the right way. AGO> Other detail forums.

 

[Caleb@ImpeccableImage]

Thanks for the tip. I always wondered about this lol.

 

[stibuki]

:laughing: Was just thinking about this same issue an hour ago!

 

[Fishincricket]

Awesome, good tip... And one you don't consider until its too late! lol

 

[1953hogan]

Yet another thread added to my database of favorites. Good tip or a newbie like me.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

The downside is if you buff DIRECTLY on top of the painter's tape you can leave a physical line in the paint that can be sometimes impossible to remove.


When I do these types of things for articles I'm trying to create a DRAMATIC "Before & After" picture showing the before and after results with a strong demarcation line.

Unless you "want" or "need" the picture then just buff close to the tape line, not directly on top of the tape line and you'll avoid creating a physical surface level difference in the paint that shows up as an actual "line" in the paint. (that can sometimes be hard to buff out).

This is so true.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

Awesome,thank you Mike.

 

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Thanks for the tip Mike

 

[Evan.J]

As always a great write up! Thanks Mike

 

[mikep288]

Great tip, thanks Mike!

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Makes perfect sense to me. I learned my lesson along time ago and boy oh boy was I mad.

It took me more time to fix my mistake.

Mike as always, people will appreciate it as I do. Little tips like this one could break or save anybody.

Remember some customers they stand next to you when you do a test spot and they last thing you want to do is to see a costly mistake like this one happining when the customer is standing besides you.

Thanks for sharing your story as this backs up what this article teaches and will help others into the future.

And this is why I love AGO, experts like Mike always have the best tips and strategies to get the job DONE the right way. AGO> Other detail forums.

I would never consider myself an expert as I'm always learning, I like

perpetual student

:xyxthumbs:

Thanks for the tip. I always wondered about this lol.

It's truly a mistake you don't want to make....

:laughing: Was just thinking about this same issue an hour ago!

:xyxthumbs:

Awesome, good tip... And one you don't consider until its too late! lol

That's why forums like AGO are a resource or tool for both enthusiast and pro detailers....

Yet another thread added to my database of favorites. Good tip or a newbie like me.

Glad you like it....

Awesome, thank you Mike.

You're welcome sir!

Thanks for the tip Mike

Sometimes little things are the big things.... especially when you're working on someone else's car!

As always a great write up! Thanks Mike

Thanks Evan...

Great tip, thanks Mike!

Share with others....


:dblthumb2:

 

[dizzyscure1]

Cool nice tip!

 

[AllanS]

I stumbled upon this thread. Great stuff! As a newb, I wondered about "that line." Makes plenty of great sense. (commercial break of NYE celebration!)

Thanks, Mike!

 

[dlc95]

Excellent article, Mike!

I experienced this phenomenon while putting my practice panel through it's paces last year. I could literally feel the raised area.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Cool nice tip!

The tip comes from bad experience.

Trying to help others...

I stumbled upon this thread. Great stuff! As a newb, I wondered about "that line." Makes plenty of great sense. (commercial break of NYE celebration!)

Thanks, Mike!

Copy that...

Excellent article, Mike!

I experienced this phenomenon while putting my practice panel through it's paces last year. I could literally feel the raised area.

Just a lesson from the school of hard knocks trying to share forwards.


Someone on our D101 FB group brought this article up so after sharing it on the FB D101 group I checked this thread for replies I may have missed over the years and found the above.


No such thing as an OLD thread or OLD article is the information is accurate.

 

[Farmallluvr]

I learned this the hardway as well.
I tried masking around a Z-71 stcker on a freshly painted panel that got scratched a couple days after leaving the shop.

Instead of masking the entire outline I went straight from the Z to the 7 ,wet sandded scratch and hit with the rotary and when I was done ...voila!!..there it was,,the tape burnt a line into the clear...I was P.O.d to say the least.

a little fannagaling and care I got it removed but not a mistake I have made since,,,that was 98 or 99