Request for some advice and expertise.

[JSFM35X]

Since it`s going to be a washout weekend in New York I have some additional time to plan the detail on the new truck. It`s a good thing because I certainly need to get some things figured out and purchased before I begin this project.





1. The hood has a large decal in the center. When polishing the hood I need to tape off the decal. If I get to close to the edge of the decal I am concerned with lifting the decal when I remove the tape. If I don`t get a clean straight tape line at the decal I won`t be able to Polish the paint right up to the decal. So what`s the best plan of attack?

2. If I tape the decal and end up hitting the tape with the DA and pad while polishing I am sure the glue will transfer. What is the best way and chemical to remove the residue without damaging the decal?

3. The paint between the grille slats is about 1/2 inch. I need to get some small pads and a back plate or do this by hand. Hand polishing will take forever. I own a gg3, gg6, old PC, Rupes 15 and a flex. What should I get and from where ?

4. This thing has a panoramic roof and it is dirty and spotted. How do I get up there to comfortably polish the roof glass, remove the water spots and opti glass it without renting a bucket truck or scaffolding?

5. Back to the roof for a follow up question, do I polish the glass first and then use the car pro spotter? Or spot then polish the glass? Any tips on using the spotter I have never used it before.

6. My plan is to optimum gloss coat all the paint. Do I coat the decal and treat it like paint? Tape off the decal and use something else to protect it? The decal is matte.

7. Anyone know if the Jeep paint is hard, soft or quirky? Any tips or insight are appreciated.

8. The muffler is exposed. I need to polish or paint it. Thinking about polishing it. What`s the best polish to use on it. Not even sure what it`s made of and what I can get out of it. (Perhaps I can make it look like a Ferrari can? Lol)

Not my pic but a good shot of the exhaust can.




As always thank you for sharing your ideas, expertise and advice. It is appreciated.

Have a good weekend.

Jeff

[Ronkh]

Here is how I taped off Ryans

[Ronkh]

[Ronkh]

As far as the roof. Ladder or platform

[Meticulous]

1. The hood has a large decal in the center. When polishing the hood I need to tape off the decal. If I get to close to the edge of the decal I am concerned with lifting the decal when I remove the tape. If I don`t get a clean straight tape line at the decal I won`t be able to Polish the paint right up to the decal. So what`s the best plan of attack?

Tape off the decal with tape, I like to use the green frog tape. Just do the best you can and the tape will not lift the decal when you remove it.

2. If I tape the decal and end up hitting the tape with the DA and pad while polishing I am sure the glue will transfer. What is the best way and chemical to remove the residue without damaging the decal?

Never had a problem with glue transfer and if you have a smudge or smear just use some QD/DS/WW to wipe it off the decal. Also when polishing near the tape you can angle the pad towards the tape line and don`t apply too much pressure. I have buffed over tape before and it hasn`t lifted, just use a lighter pressure on the DA.

3. The paint between the grille slats is about 1/2 inch. I need to get some small pads and a back plate or do this by hand. Hand polishing will take forever. I own a gg3, gg6, old PC, Rupes 15 and a flex. What should I get and from where ?

Personally I would do it by hand, but that`s just me.

4. This thing has a panoramic roof and it is dirty and spotted. How do I get up there to comfortably polish the roof glass, remove the water spots and opti glass it without renting a bucket truck or scaffolding?

Werner 39-1/2 in. x 12 in. x 20-9/16 in. Aluminum Work Platform-AP-20 - The Home Depot

5. Back to the roof for a follow up question, do I polish the glass first and then use the car pro spotter? Or spot then polish the glass? Any tips on using the spotter I have never used it before.

Never used it, can`t comment.

6. My plan is to optimum gloss coat all the paint. Do I coat the decal and treat it like paint? Tape off the decal and use something else to protect it? The decal is matte.

I have black matte stripes on my Shelby and plan to use OGC on them, it will turn them from a flat matte to a low sheen matte. I used CG EZ Creme glaze on them to see what a sheen matte would look like and I liked it. I know from Optimum that you can use OGC but it will alter the look.

7. Anyone know if the Jeep paint is hard, soft or quirky? Any tips or insight are appreciated.

I have 2 2013 Dodges and I find the paint to be medium and not hard to work with at all.

8. The muffler is exposed. I need to polish or paint it. Thinking about polishing it. What`s the best polish to use on it. Not even sure what it`s made of and what I can get out of it. (Perhaps I can make it look like a Ferrari can? Lol)

Personally I would paint it black, I don`t think it would look good polished on your particular model. If it was a chromed out Ram 1500 I would say yes polish it.

[JSFM35X]

Thank you for the insight. I appreciate it very much.

1. The hood has a large decal in the center. When polishing the hood I need to tape off the decal. If I get to close to the edge of the decal I am concerned with lifting the decal when I remove the tape. If I don`t get a clean straight tape line at the decal I won`t be able to Polish the paint right up to the decal. So what`s the best plan of attack?

Tape off the decal with tape, I like to use the green frog tape. Just do the best you and the tape will not lift the decal when you remove it.

2. If I tape the decal and end up hitting the tape with the DA and pad while polishing I am sure the glue will transfer. What is the best way and chemical to remove the residue without damaging the decal?

Never had a problem with glue transfer and if you have a smudge or smear just use some QD/DS/WW to wipe it off the decal. Also when polishing near the tape you can angle the pad towards the tape line and don`t apply too much pressure. I have buffed over tape before and it hasn`t lifted, just use a lighter pressure on the DA.

3. The paint between the grille slats is about 1/2 inch. I need to get some small pads and a back plate or do this by hand. Hand polishing will take forever. I own a gg3, gg6, old PC, Rupes 15 and a flex. What should I get and from where ?

Personally I would do it by hand, but that`s just me.

4. This thing has a panoramic roof and it is dirty and spotted. How do I get up there to comfortably polish the roof glass, remove the water spots and opti glass it without renting a bucket truck or scaffolding?

Werner 39-1/2 in. x 12 in. x 20-9/16 in. Aluminum Work Platform-AP-20 - The Home Depot

5. Back to the roof for a follow up question, do I polish the glass first and then use the car pro spotter? Or spot then polish the glass? Any tips on using the spotter I have never used it before.

6. My plan is to optimum gloss coat all the paint. Do I coat the decal and treat it like paint? Tape off the decal and use something else to protect it? The decal is matte.

7. Anyone know if the Jeep paint is hard, soft or quirky? Any tips or insight are appreciated.

I have 2 2013 Dodges and I find the paint to be medium and not hard to work with

8. The muffler is exposed. I need to polish or paint it. Thinking about polishing it. What`s the best polish to use on it. Not even sure what it`s made of and what I can get out of it. (Perhaps I can make it look like a Ferrari can? Lol)

Personally I would paint it black, I don`t think it would look good polished on your particular model. If it was a chromed out Ram 1500 I would say yes polish it.

[Meticulous]

Thank you for the insight. I appreciate it very much.

I edited my post.

[JSFM35X]

Nice tape job. Next time you do Ryan`s jeep tell me. I am gona buy stock in the tape company.

Thanks.

[Ronkh]

Nice tape job. Next time you do Ryan`s jeep tell me. I am gona buy stock in the tape company.

Thanks.

I`m not that patient to tape like that. My friend did it for me