Taping off trim question.

[Changeling]

When you tape off the trim do you apply the tape "past" the edge of the trim or try to tape it right to the edge of the trim.

If you hit the taped off trim with your rotary, Cyclo, or PC does the fact that it is taped off take care of accidents? Trying to think this thing through.

Changeling

[Thomas Dekany]

I try to not to go over, since you want to polish every inch, but sometimes to have to do what you have to do..

Helps to prevent accidents yes, but it is also easy to chew the tape up (if you want to)

[paradigm]

If you hit the taped off trim with your rotary, Cyclo, or PC does the fact that it is taped off take care of accidents?

yup, that is the main reason for taping off the trim...to prevent an "oops". i tape as close to the edge of the trip as possible. with my PC i don't tape much...rotary...everything would get it.

[Changeling]

From what you are both saying, keep it close so your "tool" can get at as much of the paint as possible and tape it all for safety's sake.

If you do happen to hit the taped trim with a rotary is it instant disaster or can you sort of explain the situation, since you are trying to get as close as possible to the trim, how can you "Not" hit it rather frequently, or should it be avoided at all cost?

Changeling

[Zet]

Most of the time when using a rotary you can hit taped off trim without anything happening, it's mostly around the corners of the trim you have to be careful. When polishing you usually have to go right up against the taped of trim anyway, otherwise you'll leave some paint unpolished. As long as you keep the machine moving things should be fine.

When taping of some trim I like to tape past the edge of the trim, so that the tape also just adheres to the paint. This keeps polish residue from building up in the crack between the paint and the trim. I only do this on paint in pretty good shape where you won't notice the unpolished line. On e.g. oxidized paint you would notice the unpolished line, so in those cases I only tape to the edge of the trim.

[ttsoca]

Very nice tips! I need to make a mental note of that>

[kyotousa]

yup, that is the main reason for taping off the trim...to prevent an "oops". i tape as close to the edge of the trip as possible. with my PC i don't tape much...rotary...everything would get it.

which part do you need to tape off when you use PC?

[Totoland Mach]

I tape off any adjoining plastic where the rotary might cause burning. If I'm using a pc that's going to be near textured plastic trim (usually black), I'll tape that to prevent wax from covering the trim (more work later in wax removal).

Here's a pic of some side taping on a BMW 745 Li. The rocker panel is plastic so I taped that, used a rotary on the doors, then removed the tape for polishing the plastic.



Here's the shop owner with a rotary on the door panel and a cutting pad.



Tape removed



Totoland Mach

[percynjpn]

When you tape off the trim do you apply the tape "past" the edge of the trim or try to tape it right to the edge of the trim.

If you hit the taped off trim with your rotary, Cyclo, or PC does the fact that it is taped off take care of accidents? Trying to think this thing through.

Changeling

I always tape off just past the edge, so it's stuck firmly to the paint. My main tool is the Cyclo; I use the PC and rotary only occasionally. My main purpose for taping is to keep polish/ compound/wax off black plastic trim, and especially from getting stuck inside the crevice between the trim and the body (and the spaces between panels where you cannot get at it and remove it later; i.e. headlight surrounds, etc.). If you need to work the 3mm or so of paint that was covered, do it by hand after you finish with your machine. Working by hand in linear motion, it's very easy to keep product from building up in the "crack" - unlike when you use a machine.

The "stickiest" tape you can get over here(blue color - Japanese brand;forget the name) will easilly stand up to rotary/Cyclo use, but after you remove it, it leaves behind glue. I mostly use the 3M yellow(orange?) type, which isn't as sticky, but comes off without any trouble - good balance. Forget the generic white stuff - it'll come off if you sneeze on it. When I have to work the paint hard, I go to the blue tape - I also use it on the windshield washer holes, or other places where the tape really needs to hold.

[percynjpn]

I tape off any adjoining plastic where the rotary might cause burning. If I'm using a pc that's going to be near textured plastic trim (usually black), I'll tape that to prevent wax from covering the trim (more work later in wax removal).

Here's a pic of some side taping on a BMW 745 Li. The rocker panel is plastic so I taped that, used a rotary on the doors, then removed the tape for polishing the plastic.



Here's the shop owner with a rotary on the door panel and a cutting pad.



Tape removed



Totoland Mach

I always knew you must be a handsome devil, T.M.!!

[Totoland Mach]

I always knew you must be a handsome devil, T.M.!!

Ha-ha....nope, that's the dealer I work for! He actually jumps in and helps with some detailing...cooks great burgers on the grill for us on Saturdays, and gives my wife excellent wine! What a deal.

Here's my mug...see, I still have my hair and I'm older than he is LOL!



Totoland

[percynjpn]

Ha-ha....nope, that's the dealer I work for! He actually jumps in and helps with some detailing...cooks great burgers on the grill for us on Saturdays, and gives my wife excellent wine! What a deal.

Here's my mug...see, I still have my hair and I'm older than he is LOL!



Totoland

Well, I have to admit - you're even more handsome than HE is!!