Is taping prior to detailing necessary?

[foris2]

Originally posted by TKDDAD
great example Tom Weed....nice work too!!

Great job!

[OctaneGuy]

At what point do you guys remove the tape? After LSP or before? In the past, removing the tape was my last step, until I started running into cars that had chrome on the trim I taped over, so I had to remove the tape, then use Metal Polysh at the risk of getting polish in the cracks I just taped over.

Further, the tape edge marks that result from the LSP can be an extra chore. While you may not have to clean wax from the cracks, you still have to follow the tape lines to make sure you didn't leave any residue edges behind.

So my current process is to remove the tape from the areas I'm polishing before the LSP, and finish the car off with M21 very carefully. This allows me to polish over the previously covered tape areas ridding any tape edges in the process.

Richard

[zeefauna]

So, I guess it's normal when I took 1.5 hour to tape my car up...

[kellyinkc]

I'm taping more and more. Mainly black, dark colored cars. The polish and waxes tend to show more in the cracks and it's a pain to clean out.
IMHO

[farmboy]

I bet it is more exciting than Christmas to tear the tape off and see what you get!

[TKDDAD]

Originally posted by kellyinkc
I'm taping more and more. Mainly black, dark colored cars. The polish and waxes tend to show more in the cracks and it's a pain to clean out.
IMHO

Great point...I don't think I'd tape off as much on a lighter colored car...but on black or dark blue, I'd tape off anything that looks like it would be trouble to clean later...like the car name / model etc...

I think it just comes down to experience too...can you paint a wall red and not get anything on the white ceiling ?...I can't so I tape off the ceiling...

[Top Down]

Is that a G100 holder???

[RCBuddha]

I too am starting to tape more and more, it just makes cleanup so much easier! One spot to remember is the gas tank lid. I've found some interesting buildup on a few cars in that spot!

[zeefauna]

Originally posted by Top Down


Is that a G100 holder???

Hahaha....

No that's not. It's the transformer to step-down the voltage from 240V to 110V in order to use the PC. It is just a "very" convenient spot to place the PC while i take a "rest"...

[Tom Weed]

Thanks guys,
Octane - eas for when do I remove the tape, I started removing the tape before the LSP and just try to be more cautious when appyling it. That way when I remove it, I can remove any reside left behind by the tape.

Tom

[DaGonz]

For the hell of it.. I taped off my F-150 and my Mustang to actually time the taping of the vehicles from start to finish...

an average of 52.5 minutes per vehicle... I taped the truck in 60, the Mustang in 45...

I originally stated 15 minutes... I am so embarrassed!

It's true, time flies when you are doing something you love and have the tunes cranking on the stereo!!!

[acsuppa]

I tape off the trim when I detail. Wax, polish
etc is a pain to get off sometimes. The only thing I notice about taping trim is that is leaves a little "faded" look to the area after the tape is removed. I use a little dressing on it so it looks fine. I use painters blue tape. I'm wondering if I should use something else. I remove the tape after I done detailing so it doesn't stay on long. I agree it's worth the time.

[clos05]

What kind of tape do you use?

[DaGonz]

Originally posted by clos05
What kind of tape do you use?

I use 3M brand painter's tape. It's more expensive than regular masking tape, but it leaves no adhesive residue on the trim.

[kellyinkc]

Originally posted by Gonzo0903
I use 3M brand painter's tape. It's more expensive than regular masking tape, but it leaves no adhesive residue on the trim.

The blue or the green tape? I saw 3M green automotive tape at Advance Auto the other day. Wonder ir theres a difference?