datailing around clear plastic protectant film

[wikkid]

Factory-applied clear plastic film to protect around some parts of the wheel wells of my white '05 Tacoma. The film is in good shape, but the edges are starting to pick up black gunk, and I am afraid that attacking the edges may make the film start to peel away. How do you guys attack this to get them clean and keep them intact?

[1fastTbird]

Reviving this thread because I would like to know if there are any tips or things to avoid.

[af90]

Tape up the edges, I wouldn't recommend cleaning under it or anything that could cause it to start peeling. Take it easy doing any polishing, if the paint is scratched underneath at all the only way to fix it is to remove the clear bra and re-apply.

[statusdetailing]

You can use a small paint brush and cut the bristles in half to make them a little stiffer. A thin chip brush, 1 to 2 inches wide works best. Gently agitate along the edge not against it, with regular car wash soap. You can try something like opc or apc + if regular soap doesnt work. Keep solvents away.

When polishing, if you want to be extra careful, you should tape the edges off.

When waxing or applying a sealant. Wipe away from the edges, not towards them, as they will catch wax residue and you have to use the brush to clean it off.

[af90]

You can use a small paint brush and cut the bristles in half to make them a little stiffer. A thin chip brush, 1 to 2 inches wide works best. Gently agitate along the edge not against it, with regular car wash soap. You can try something like opc or apc + if regular soap doesnt work. Keep solvents away.

When polishing, if you want to be extra careful, you should tape the edges off.

When waxing or applying a sealant. Wipe away from the edges, not towards them, as they will catch wax residue and you have to use the brush to clean it off.

This is a great tip I forgot about, I do it also on stripes since it can lead to a similar issue with wax residue in the crease. Wipe the edges near the clear bra or stripes first, away from those areas towards the paint first .

[1fastTbird]

Great stuff, especially the soft paintbrush tip to get the dirt out which is the biggest problem. Thanks!

[Evan.J]

When I have to work with the clear bra's I do the tapings off the edges as this seems to be the easist way. If i have to work with out tape then as jeremy said wiping way is a huge trick to keeping an residue from the edges.

[Mike Phillips]

For taping these edges off, get some 3M Blue Vinyl Tape. One word about this tape...

Awesome



3M Blue Vinyl Tape

3M Vinyl Tape 1/4 Inch - 06405 (http://www.autogeek.net/3m-vinyl-tape-06405.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/722/Blue_Vinyl_Tape_01.jpg



3M Vinyl Tape 1/8 Inch - 06404 (http://www.autogeek.net/3m-vinyl-tape-06404.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/722/Blue_Vinyl_Tape_02.jpg


:xyxthumbs:

[Mike Phillips]

Check this thread out to see it in action, note I had the guys take the wide green tape off the hood that you see in some of the pictures and replace it with the 3M Blue Vinyl Tape.

This was actually a very dramatic save...

1987 Monte Carlo Extreme Makeover with Rupes and Blackfire BlackICE (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/62491-1987-monte-carlo-extreme-makeover-rupes-blackfire-blackice.html)



http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1804/1987_Monte_Carlo_079.jpg


:xyxthumbs:

[af90]

Mike,

Any reason for the preference over Blue Vinyl Tape over Green Automotive? I didn't see much written about it but how does it differ from 3M's regular blue painter's tape?

Thanks.

[RaskyR1]

Mike,

Any reason for the preference over Blue Vinyl Tape over Green Automotive? I didn't see much written about it but how does it differ from 3M's regular blue painter's tape?

Thanks.

It's smoother, has little to no adhesive pull, very good at bending/stretching around corners and complex shapes, and it can be bought in narrower sizes, though 1/4" seems to be the best all around size IMO...it is pricey though.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3117.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Raskyr1/media/1968%20Firebird/IMG_3117.jpg.html)

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/2006%20CTS-V/20110410-_MG_4456.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Raskyr1/media/2006%20CTS-V/20110410-_MG_4456.jpg.html)

[af90]

Hmm thanks I'll have to pick some up next time I'm out.

[Mike Phillips]

Mike,

Any reason for the preference over Blue Vinyl Tape over Green Automotive? I didn't see much written about it but how does it differ from 3M's regular blue painter's tape?

Thanks.




It's smoother, has little to no adhesive pull, very good at bending/stretching around corners and complex shapes, and it can be bought in narrower sizes, though 1/4" seems to be the best all around size IMO...it is pricey though.




Exactly what I would have typed.

I'd also add that it hold up better than the normal paper type painter's tapes when you accidentally run a buffing pad over it.

It's really very good tape and if you look at any of the pictures from our Detailing Boot Camp Classes (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-saturday-detailing-101/), our Thursday Night Extreme Makeovers and Show Car Makeovers (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/) you'll see we use it quite extensively for the reasons Chad listed.

It's one of my favorite tools.


:dblthumb2:

[Mike Phillips]

Great example of how handy this thin, flexible tape is Chad....




http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/2006%20CTS-V/20110410-_MG_4456.jpg




Here's another example from the 1969 AMX we wetsanded, cut and buffed...


Time Lapse Picture Capture of the 1969 AMX Nebraska Project (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/58314-time-lapse-picture-capture-1969-amx-nebraska-project.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1656/1969_AMX_Project_008.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1656/1969_AMX_Project_007.jpg



More pictures of the tape in action in the link above.


:)

[1fastTbird]

I am going to pick up some of this tape on my next order.

Different, but related question: do you guys hand polish body lines before or after taping? Or asked another way before or after machine polishing?