Did I get this right?

[draft]

Ok so I'm FINALLY going to be detailing my car tomorrow, I have everything I need except for one thing: Knowing exactly where to tape off. I did some snooping today at work and came across some threads.



I went outside and took pictures of everything I think should be taped off, I just need autopians to confirm that I'm right, or if there's anything I've missed



So anywhere here they are

Plastic Trim on rear door

Some sort of plastic running along the roof on both sides

Plastic trim piece connecting mirror (also runs along bottom of mirror

Chrome trim on front

Moulding on top of front window

Moulding around sunroof

Plastic under side mirrors (not sure if this needs to be done or not)

I circled some rubber/plastic pieces at the base of the windows here

Ok so how do I go about polishing the rear?

I'm using 6" pads, if I tape off the emblems can I just feather over them?

 

[Setec Astronomy]

IMO, there is a difference between the textured plastic and rubber trim, and the chrome. The textured plastic and rubber may become stained from your polish, while the chrome (such as the emblem) won't be damaged (in most cases) by polishing, it just may be a PITA to get the residue out of.

 

[MBurnickas]

I just tape of cracks and crevices, and some trim that might get burnished. I have good luck getting polish of trim with vinyl/rubber cleaner when it splatters.

 

[draft]

I just tape of cracks and crevices, and some trim that might get burnished. I have good luck getting polish of trim with vinyl/rubber cleaner when it splatters.

Would it be a good idea for me to tape off all cracks between doors, windows, bumper/quarter panel etc?



Or would that just be too much work?

 

[Accumulator]

Would it be a good idea for me to tape off all cracks between doors, windows, bumper/quarter panel etc?



Or would that just be too much work?

It could be a good idea if you do a *LOT* of polishing and/or use a lot of product. I've had cases where I got a lot of product in those areas and yeah, it was a PIA. OTOH in those cases I was doing some things wrong too..



If in doubt, I'd tape things off. Then you can see which were/weren't necessary. Better safe than sorry and time spent taping might be wasted but it's not tough work (which can't always be said of cleaning up when you *didn't* tape ).

 

[flomofo]

Pretty useful thread for this newb too, so bumpin and saying thanks.

 

[AutoKlean]

I have never taped a car when buffing/polishing. Never really saw a point in it. I guess it might depend on how careful or messy you are...not sure really. Maybe it depends on the products you use also. I only use Malco products...never had a problem with cleaning compound off plastic. I see a lot of people on here use Meguirs. I myself am not a fan of Meguirs...just something about using the same stuff you can buy a Walamrt doesnt seem right to me. no offense anyone.

 

[charlesaferg]

What kind of polisher? If you're using a PC or a flex and fairly mild polishes, as in nothing more aggressive than a white CCS pad and SIP, then you don't need to tape off those emblems. Be careful around emblems and any change in elevation, or any seams. The flex is very unforgiving, more than most people give it credit for.



One thing that hasn't been addressed by other users is your mirrors. Tape off the lower mirror trim! You'll definitely stain that, or at the very least you'll make the shine noticeably uneven.

 

[Accumulator]

What kind of polisher? If you're using a PC or a flex and fairly mild polishes, as in nothing more aggressive than a white CCS pad and SIP, then you don't need to tape off those emblems...

While I've run my polishers over plenty of emblems with zero problems, the emblems on my Jag have the chrome worn off their edges from years (decades) of polishing even though I've always used mild approaches on that car. You can get away with it right up until you can't

 

[flomofo]

I'm using a cyclo on my g8, an sl mercedes and a c230.



Hoping I can jump from panel to panel with that type of buffer without taping up seems between the panels.



I tried one section of a hood on a 98 mpv and got polish everywhere around the car, so my main concern is staining stuff if the tape job isnt good enough.



I assume most guys wash their cars again after a cleaner and/or polish and/or wax job in case anything got on black plastic or rubber?

 

[Accumulator]

I'm using a cyclo on my g8, an sl mercedes and a c230.



Hoping I can jump from panel to panel with that type of buffer without taping up seems between the panels...

With the Cyclo you shouldn't be using so much product that you'll need to worry about excess getting in between the panels. Just use the proper amount of polish (and remember to keep checking the pads in case it dries/cakes/needs cleaned) and you'll be OK.

I tried one section of a hood on a 98 mpv and got polish everywhere around the car, so my main concern is staining stuff if the tape job isnt good enough.

Way way *WAY* too much product I do the hood of my MPV is numerous small sections and I don't get a speck of product on any areas that I'm not working.



Seriously, dial back the amount of product to where you're only using enough to keep the pads well-lubricated. Then stop and wipe the pads off and apply more product as needed. Yeah, more of a hassle than just using a ton of product but well worth doing properly.

I assume most guys wash their cars again after a cleaner and/or polish and/or wax job in case anything got on black plastic or rubber?

I hardly ever do that. I often do a final burnishing with some mild polish that leaves stuff behind (e.g., 1Z Pro MP or 1Z WPS) or else use an AIO (e.g., Autoglym SRP, KAIO) after the "regular" polishing but no, I don't do a wash or an IPA wipe (by that time I've already dealt with the marring) or anything like that. I just finish polishing and then apply my LSP.



If I'm using a polish that I need to keep off plastic trim (not all polish/trim combos are problematic, sometimes polishes such as 1Z Paint Polish work fine on plastic trim) then I just keep it off. Either by masking or by simply holding a piece of cardboard between the polisher's pad and the trim.



When applying LSPs, again, some LSPs are fine on plastic and rubber. If the one I'm using is *not*, then I just keep it off such areas.



It sounds like you're just used to using way too much product, so much that it often gets everywhere. Start using only the amount that's actually required and I bet all these issues will resolve themselves.

 

[flomofo]

Thanks for the help, figured I was using way too much, it wasn't my car so I was worried about marring the paint with pads that were too dry.



Hopefully some of my mistakes help out the OP as well.