The LINE ---> How to avoid the line!

[Mike Phillips]

The LINE ---> How to avoid the line!


While using a tape-line works to show dramatic before and after differences you want to be careful because there's a downside to using a tape-line when ding a test spot.

The downside is if you buff DIRECTLY on top of the painter's tape you can leave a physical line in the paint that can be sometimes impossible to remove.


When I do these types of things for articles I'm trying to create a DRAMATIC "Before & After" picture showing the before and after results with a strong demarcation line.

Unless you "want" or "need" the picture then just buff close to the tape line, not directly on top of the tape line and you'll avoid creating a physical surface level difference in the paint that shows up as an actual "line" in the paint. (that can sometimes be hard to buff out).

Make sense?

Here's an example of the kind of picture results you can get when using a tape-line for your test spot or any time you're trying to show others before and after results.

For example, I use a tape-line to showcase pads, product and tools on TV shows like Chasing Classic Cars, My Classic Car, Two Guys Garage and Motorhead Garage because in the TV world you have very limited time to get your message across, make an impact as well as leave a lasting impression with our audience.

Before and after demarcation line





You can get this type of dramatic before and after difference on neglected paint by using a strip of painter's tape on a body panel and then only buffing on one side of the tape.






If you don't know what a test spot is or why to do one, read my article here,

How To Do a Test Spot
(and why it's so important)

[Sudderth77]

Thanks for the quick response mike!!!

[Mike Phillips]

Thanks for the quick response mike!!!

No problemo...

I too have created a line in the paint that took a little extra work to remove and I've wanted to write this article for YEARS!

But in the rush of normal day-in, day-out business I just never got to it. So "thank you" for the PM asking me about this issue.

Hope my answer makes sense to you and everyone and I've added it to my article on how to do a Test Spot.



How To Do a Test Spot
(and why it's so important)

[Pinpoint_Precision]

Makes perfect sense to me. I learned my lesson along time ago and boy oh boy was I mad. It took me more time to fix my mistake. Mike as always, people will appreciate it as I do. Little tips like this one could break or save anybody. Remember some customers they stand next to you when you do a test spot and they last thing you want to do is to see a costly mistake like this one happining when the customer is standing besides you.

[CM8 6MT]

And this is why I love AGO, experts like Mike always have the best tips and strategies to get the job DONE the right way. AGO> Other detail forums.

[Caleb@ImpeccableImage]

Thanks for the tip. I always wondered about this lol.

[stibuki]

Was just thinking about this same issue an hour ago!

[Fishincricket]

Awesome, good tip... And one you don't consider until its too late! lol

[1953hogan]

Yet another thread added to my database of favorites. Good tip or a newbie like me.

[WRAPT C5Z06]

The downside is if you buff DIRECTLY on top of the painter's tape you can leave a physical line in the paint that can be sometimes impossible to remove.


When I do these types of things for articles I'm trying to create a DRAMATIC "Before & After" picture showing the before and after results with a strong demarcation line.

Unless you "want" or "need" the picture then just buff close to the tape line, not directly on top of the tape line and you'll avoid creating a physical surface level difference in the paint that shows up as an actual "line" in the paint. (that can sometimes be hard to buff out).

This is so true.