Video: How to tape-off car trim before machine polishing

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

Video: How to tape-off car trim before machine polishing

Here are some tips and techniques to tape-off and cover-up trim, felt or fuzzy gaskets like you find around some sunroofs, wheels and tires, air vents and grills as well as "The Beach Towel Tip"

How to tape-off car trim before machine polishing

How to tape-off car trim before machine polishing...

Note the Guzzler Waffle Weave towels being used to cover the engine compartment from splatter...




Dedicated how-to article for protecting convertible tops

How to cover and protect a convertible top before machine buffing










I love old classics and hot rods because often time trim has been removed and if they do have trim it's chrome or stainless steel...




1971 GTO Wetsanding Project - Wetsanding, followed by using rotary buffers can be very messy...




The Beach Towel Tip







Tape it off and avoid a lifetime of ugly...


Ugly





No Ugly







Always cover and protect the shiny stuff

Not only does it prevents Splatter Dots from getting everywhere it also prevents the owner of a car to use your name as a cuss word...


Blown 1934 Ford Pick-up - Show Car Makeover - Modeled by Kristin

Next we cover-up all the brightwork and there's lots of it. Take my word for it, when it comes to projects like this you don't dare get polish spatter dots on the engine or in this example the exposed running gear in the truck bed. It's not professional and besides that it would take you hours to wipe the little dots of polish splatter off.







The Autogeek Cover-up Towel is made from soft microfiber and can be washed and re-used. This come in real handy for covering up anything you don't want to get compound or polish splatter dots onto so you won't have to detail these areas with a toothbrush after the the wax has been removed.





The soft microfiber won't scratch paint or polished metals. Simple cover or wrap around components and then use a little painter's tape to secure them in place.




Here we've covered the polished aluminum gas tank and the chrome independent rear-end...




Detailing Boot Camp Classes





Also see the video here,


The Soft Flannel Bed Sheet Tip



The Panic Parrot - 1950 Studebaker Starlight Coupe

Keeping it covered, keeps the engine clean...







Keeping it covered means no detailing the very detailed engine afterwards...

[gguzman]

thanks a lot for the video!!

[slickooz]

Thanks Mike!

[mjlinane]

Absolutely some of the most useful information we can have. Not that everybody will... at least once

[B&B Tennessee]

Originally Posted by Mike.Phillips@Autogeek

The Panic Parrot - 1950 Studebaker Starlight Coupe

Keeping it covered, keeps the engine clean...







Keeping it covered means no detailing the very detailed engine afterwards...

That is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

Originally Posted by B&B Tennessee

That is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!

The Panic Parrot is one of the coolest cars I've ever buffed out... the engine was from a Drag Boat so that made it even a little bit more cool, at least to me.

I also had a chance to work on the Frantic Frog


Steve Met's Wild Willy's Coupe aka The Frantic Frog

[shoeless89]

I still hate taping off but its better then digging compound residue out of every crack and staining trim. I wish the tape would come off in one piece though

[Hoytman]

Mr. Phillips,
Just wanted to tell you how much I've really enjoyed watching the latest video releases on the forum. Taping, and removing RIDS were two the things at the top of my "I'd like to see a video on this"...and bam...there it was just like you'd read my mind. Great tips on taping.

Thank you so much!!

[Curves]

Great Video. Thanks!

[Jomax]

I watched pretty much all your vids Mike, and in every one you use those dark blue MF towels. Looked in the store to find them but cant, where can i get some???