To tape, or not to tape?

[bluecharger09]

I'm new realatively to the forum and Autogeek in general. I recently purchased a whole new set of products and have yet to use them. I am wondering if I will need to tape any black plastic trim on my car when using any of the following products.

Wolfgang swirl remover 3.0
Wolfgang finishing glaze 3.0
Pinnacle cleansing lotion
Wolfgang deep gloss sealant
Collinite #845

I don't want to discolor it or mess it up. Thanks in advance.

[statusdetailing]

Better safe than sorry and use a good quality tape. It only takes a few minutes to tape and will cost you less than 5 bucks.

[hernandez.art13]

^ I agree, your better off taping and spending an extra 5 minutes than spending hours cleaning up. Which is no fun

Prep is always key I've learned.

[hammy1983]

just the time savings alone for not having to clean the trim after would probably make it worth it to tape. Less chance on ruining the trim when you tape it as well.

[bluecharger09]

Thanks for the input. That's what I figured. Any recommendations on tape? I see people saying that they use 3M automotive, but then I thought I remebered someone saying that it leaves a residue. I'd probably be leaving all the tape on overnight (in a garage) so I can do a second coat of wax the following day.

[Evan.J]

Thanks for the input. That's what I figured. Any recommendations on tape? I see people saying that they use 3M automotive, but then I thought I remebered someone saying that it leaves a residue. I'd probably be leaving all the tape on overnight (in a garage) so I can do a second coat of wax the following day.

I use 3m Performance automotive tape (green tape)

Ive never had any issues with left over residue

[allenk4]

I use 3m Performance automotive tape (green tape)

Ive never had any issues with left over residue

+1 for the 3M 233+ (http://www.autogeek.net/3m-auto-masking-tapes.html) Green Tape

Get the three pack from AGO and try all three widths

[Stittville Ed]

I used the yellow 3M tape.
My parts place said the blue tape had gone up in price and for what I was using it for it would be fine.
I did use it last week and it was fine for half the price.

[Mike Phillips]

The worst type of black plastic trim is the pebble textured trim. Once compound, polish or wax residue lodges or impacts into the deeper pores of this type of plastic it's almost impossible to remove completely.

You'll spend the rest of your life looking at stained trim and trying to remove it or mask it.

Even if you try to be uber careful, it's all too easy to accidentally rub a buffing pad over time and it's game over.

If I work on a new car with black plastic trim I always tape it off.

Here's a video and some pictures....


Video: How to tape-off car trim before machine polishing (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/48329-video-how-tape-off-car-trim-before-machine-polishing.html)

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...


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/870/pcarTapedOff001.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/870/pcarTapedOff002.jpg



Note the Guzzler Waffle Weave towels being used to cover the engine compartment from splatter...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/870/1994BlackPorscheOC025.jpg



Dedicated how-to article for protecting convertible tops

How to cover and protect a convertible top before machine buffing (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/48328-how-cover-protect-convertible-top-before-machine-buffing.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1218/CoverConvert11.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1218/CoverConvert12.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1218/CoverConvert17.jpg



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...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery0034.jpg



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

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1208/medium/GTO11.JPG


The Beach Towel Tip (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/30894-beach-towel-tip.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/722/BeachTowelTip006.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1009/Cutlass003.jpg



Tape it off and avoid a lifetime of ugly... (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/29951-tape-off-avoid-lifetime-ugly.html)


Ugly
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/722/TapeOffGrill05.jpg




No Ugly
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/722/TapeOffGrill00.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/722/TapeOffGrill03.jpg




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 (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/43007-blown-1934-ford-pick-up-show-car-makeover-modeled-kristin.html)

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.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Project34024b.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Project34024c.jpg


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.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Nicks34pics001.jpg



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.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Nicks34pics002.jpg


Here we've covered the polished aluminum gas tank and the chrome independent rear-end...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Nicks34pics003.jpg



Detailing Boot Camp Classes (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-saturday-detailing-101/45784-pictures-detailing-boot-camp-day-2-a.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/Sunday%20Boot%20Camp/IMG_9903.JPG



Also see the video here,


The Soft Flannel Bed Sheet Tip (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/34828-soft-flannel-bed-sheet-tip.html)



The Panic Parrot - 1950 Studebaker Starlight Coupe

Keeping it covered, keeps the engine clean...

http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/PPFrontShot1.jpg

http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/PanicSpeedGlaze7.jpg



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

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/2PanicFinished1.jpg



:xyxthumbs:

[allenk4]

I used the yellow 3M tape.
My parts place said the blue tape had gone up in price and for what I was using it for it would be fine.
I did use it last week and it was fine for half the price.

I am not a fan of the 3M Blue Painters Tape (2093EL).

It has the "EdgeLock" and I have found that it leaves more adhesive residue than the 3M Green (233+).

There is also a low adhesion version (delicate surface) of the 3M Blue painters tape. I have not tried it, but if you have to buy something OTC, it might be a better choice.

[Mike Phillips]

Here's a tip.... more important for re-paints than factory paint but a good "best practice" to make a part of your normal routine.



Tip: How to pull tape off car paint (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/62803-tip-how-pull-tape-off-car-paint.html)



:)

[allenk4]

Anyone who likes the wheel protector/covers that Mike uses...they are available at Harbor Freight.

$10 for a set of 4

The have a wire in them that goes over the top of the tire to hold it in place.

They fit the 20" rims on my SUV, but do not go all the way to the ground as they do on the Porsche in the pictures.

Great for keeping wheels and tires clean during paint correction.

[Mike Phillips]

Anyone who likes the wheel protector/covers that Mike uses...they are available at Harbor Freight.


Great for keeping wheels and tires clean during paint correction.




They are called Wheel Maskers and I highly recommend using them not only to keep the wheel and tire clean while machine buffing nearby panels, (especially when using a rotary buffer), but also for marketing reasons.



And also to help make your before and after pictures more dramatic.

One thing I practice when taking before and after pictures is for the before pictures work at making the car as ugly as possible and this includes taping the car off and placing wheel makers on the wheels and tires.

Then for your after shots, you make the car as beautiful as possible, that is remove everything that doesn't add beauty to the car.

It's subtle but works.

So three reasons to use Wheel Maskers.


:)

[Mike Phillips]

Here's one more....


Burning Tape (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/80428-burning-tape.html)




:xyxthumbs:

[allenk4]

They are called Wheel Maskers and I highly recommend using them not only to keep the wheel and tire clean while machine buffing nearby panels, (especially when using a rotary buffer), but also for marketing reasons.



And also to help make your before and after pictures more dramatic.

One thing I practice when taking before and after pictures is for the before pictures work at making the car as ugly as possible and this includes taping the car off and placing wheel makers on the wheels and tires.

Then for your after shots, you make the car as beautiful as possible, that is remove everything that doesn't add beauty to the car.

It's subtle but works.

So three reasons to use Wheel Maskers.


:)


Great Point!

In my opinion the three most powerful marketing images:

- Taped-up shot w/ wheel maskers

- Foam Cannon pic

- 50/50 shot of the worst panel


If I was doing this as a business; everyone of my customers would receive a follow-up text or email Thank You, that included these three pictures.

I bet a lot of your Customers would share it and potentially drum up some additional business.