To Tape or Not?

ISLover · 10-28-09, 11:49

Next weekend I plan on doing my winter prep job on the Lexus. My plan is 205 w/orange and maybe finish down a little with 205 on black/grey pad. You guys have taught me so well that I have very little marring since the Spring prep I did. Since I don't need to use anything harsh, like 105, do I still need to tape the car up before polishing? There is very little rubber on an IS and I thought I have seen several folks using 205 for cetain plastics and chrome. I plan to follow up with some Prep Wash to help the nooks and crannys. Any thoughts? Will I hurt anything?

Atlantic Euro · 10-28-09, 12:00

I always tape. For any multi-step process, the time saved in cleanup alone is worth it.

RaskyR1 · 10-28-09, 12:02

I only tape off the areas where I know damage can occur from using a machine polisher. Some cars have very little, other have lots.

fergnation · 10-28-09, 12:14

IF you are using a DA the only real reason to tape would be to protect plastics, rubber and other surfaces. It is really hard to burn anything with a DA especially with something as light as 205. Tape is usually used to protect edges and surfaces that a rotary could cause serious harm too. Now some people like to use tape to keep the polish and dust from geting into door jams or hood and trunk crevices. But if you plan on washing after the polishing you are probably going to be cleaning those areas anyways.

Really though it is up to. But I don't think you are going to be doing any damage by not taping.

toyotaguy · 10-28-09, 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by fergnation

IF you are using a DA the only real reason to tape would be to protect plastics, rubber and other surfaces. It is really hard to burn anything with a DA especially with something as light as 205. Tape is usually used to protect edges and surfaces that a rotary could cause serious harm too. Now some people like to use tape to keep the polish and dust from geting into door jams or hood and trunk crevices. But if you plan on washing after the polishing you are probably going to be cleaning those areas anyways.

Really though it is up to. But I don't think you are going to be doing any damage by not taping.

yep, to a T!

byalegend · 10-28-09, 01:04

I tape when I do my cars with my DA. I find that I miss cleaning up areas if I don't tape, and cleanup is a pain without tape. Since you have very little rubber, it just means less taping

toby tyke · 11-05-09, 02:13

Always tape my friend, whats a few dollars spent against damaged trim. For me the new modern trim does not take kindly to polish, let alone a DA or Rotary spinning at 2000rpm. Over a 3 day paint detail I will completeley protect any area not being polished, it takes extra time, but when you come to the final wash or wipe down youre glad of it.
High end cars like the Aston Martin or Bentley have black rubber seals behind the panels (front wing to door panel) that are almost impossible to reach and clean, allow polish to dry on these and it will take you hours to remove.