View Full Version : Taping technique and knowing where to apply?
JSFM35X
11-11-2008, 06:58 PM
I will be doing from "correction" or possible learning the hard way when i attempt to remove some very minor swirls and nicro marring the next nice day we get up here. I noticed that in the click and brag some pro`s tape the trim (which I agree) and some tape the seams between the 2 pannels? Is there going to be an uncorrected line once the tape is removed?
Also, what the deal with the blue vs green vs white tape/
I have the blue in 2 widths. Never saw what or green?
How do you guy get that tape on so straight and tight? Is it one long piece or several along the side of a car?
Garry Dean
11-11-2008, 07:11 PM
You must get the Blue easy off tape. If not the tape will leave residue on everything you apply it to. Green is ok too if its easy off.
You will probably use several pieces on one side of a car.
Any tape on a cliq and brag that you see on paint is to show you a 50/50 shot (50% corrected and 50% not.
Hope that helps!
3M paintrs tape is what you want, tape off all window edges and edges that might burn through, taping off makes things so much easier http://1person1million.com/img/149/r08c1006bidc/biggrin.gif
JSFM35X
11-11-2008, 07:27 PM
You must get the Blue easy off tape. If not the tape will leave residue on everything you apply it to. Green is ok too if its easy off.
You will probably use several pieces on one side of a car.
Any tape on a cliq and brag that you see on paint is to show you a 50/50 shot (50% corrected and 50% not.
Hope that helps!
I know its a 50/50 shot. i was talking about the seam between the hood and front 1/4 pannel. Why tape that seam off?
Legacy
11-11-2008, 07:33 PM
I know its a 50/50 shot. i was talking about the seam between the hood and front 1/4 pannel. Why tape that seam off?I don`t think it`s necessary.
Garry Dean
11-11-2008, 07:41 PM
The paint on edges of panels is thin and some people choose to be extra cautious not to burn through the thinner paint.
Legacy
11-11-2008, 07:43 PM
The paint on edges of panels is thin and some people choose to be extra cautious not to burn through the thinner paint.If you are using a DA it should be safe.
thesacrifice
11-12-2008, 04:09 PM
People also tape seams to keep polish out of them
Hakko
11-13-2008, 12:12 PM
I notice some tape off the door handles - body colored, not chrome. Why is that?
jsantoro
11-13-2008, 12:46 PM
I notice some tape off the door handles - body colored, not chrome. Why is that?
I believe it`s to eliminate compound/polish/wax buildup in these areas. I usually will do these areas by hand. Adding tape is a precautionary measure as you are almost guaranteed to hit it with whichever machine you are using.
Todd@RUPES
11-13-2008, 02:33 PM
Like much of detailing it comes down to artistic interpretation...
If you are looking for `guidlines` to what to tape there are no set rules as variables include
What type of trim
The curves of the body
Known (or guessed) paint thickness
Type of machine used to polish
Level of aggressiveness planned on using
Size of pads
Age
Expense
Time
Experience
On cars that I do a `one` step polish two I vary rarely take the time (which I charge by) to tape it up.
On cars that I am `correcting` I may tape of various areas of concern such as window trim, mirror rubber, etc... The reason being that to get `true` correction you have to apply pressure to the area, and using a rotary I want to run the backing plate at least 1/4 of the way over the area.
On certain right angles of certain cars (the door vents of a Lambo Gallardo) I will use tape to prevent the side of the pad from rubbing against the paint of the connecting panel.
Here I am polishing the veritcle pad side of the door vent. You can see that tape is laid down on the horizontal edge so that I can run my machine as far down as possible with out worrying about the side of the pad (which is spinning at greater velocity) burring the adajcent panel.
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/lambogday2/polish19.jpg
Then it was time to polish the horizontal edge I moved the tape to the door (vertical) panel so I could fully cover the edge with out worring about buring or scouring the door.
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/lambogday2/polish20.jpg
Also the edges of the engine cover where taped so that when I was polishing the flat area in between I could work right against the wall with a greatly reduced risk of damaging it.
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/lambogday2/polish1.jpg
When polishing the vents I used one piece tape on the leading edge above each vent.
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/lambogday2/polish33.jpg
I normally never polish jambs and seams (the only exception is that on some incrediably valueable and rare classics that cannot be washed for fear of water leaking, retention, and rusting) because I always wash the car after polishing.
The exception was this Gallardo because I spent a full day cleaning it before polishing and the I did not want to ruin this work by having to rewash (with qtips) any possible dust and residue from the grated areas so I taped them (the 20-30minutes it took to tape them likely saved an hour of time)
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/lambogday2/polish8.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/lambogday2/polish6.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/lambogday1/end25.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/lambogday1/end26.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/lambogday1/end27.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/lambogday1/end23.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/lambogday1/end24.jpg
The reason for this taping is because I was being paid to take this car to its absolute area and that means that each inch had to be polished. This was the only safe way to do it.
A couple of guidelines about taping...
I have found `blue` 3M to be the best. The green can smear adhesive if you run the buffer over it.
If working on older, original paints, be careful to tape and sharp edges or seems. Also on older cars which do not have perfect body panel allignment or `gaping` it is best to tape the very edge so you don`t remve paint with the edge of the pad.
Use a credit card to `dress` the tape area so you can perfectly cover the exacting area you want taped.
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/512BB/a027.jpg