I understand taping off all rubber parts...why do you tape the gaps? Door and hood etc. Isn't wax easy to remove from these areas?

Thanks

Still trying to understand the finer details (pun intended)

 

It's just to keep crap out of the seams. Some times, it can splatter & create a mess. Once you get used to using a tool, you don't need to tape the seams. yes, they are easier to clean then the rubber.

 

+1

Also it just makes more mess to clean in the end and after polishing a car for 16 hours there's a lot of powder build up everywhere, even rewashing it only gets out so much.

 

I tape off the gaps because I don't want to burn the edges of panels. Edges are where the paint is thinnest and the risk of burning with a rotary is the highest. So to be safe, I usually tape about 1/8" from every edge. Cars like Carrera GT, LP640, Diablo, etc. are more pervious to this and require a lot of taping and un-taping when polishing with a rotary.

 

Yea for me, taping edges only happens on older cars where panels are a bit out of plumb and I don't want the pad catching the edge and burning the paint... otherwise, it's only trim, etc.

 

Is the tape just 3M blue tap?

 

I think that's what most people use, but anything is fine, as long as it's not too strong/sticky but enough... I have been using the 3M blue tape for delicate surfaces... the tape is smoother on the outside, just a bit less sticky, and my favorite part, it is thinner and more flexible, making it 10x easier to go around window/sunroof/etc. trim

THis is the tape I'm talking about... http://www.buyhardwaresupplies.com/?...Number=1204841

 

Thanks lecchilo! I think I have seen it before in 3/4 inch and will probably go for that!

 

I'd recommend 1" for the simple fact that it covers a bigger area, so you can cover the whole piece of window trim, or similar stuff like that...

 

I dont know, I might just have to buy two rolls and try it out cause I would think that 3/4 would be easier to work around corners and tighter spots and whatnot. It's only money, cant take it with us.

 

Definitely get 2 and try which works best for you. I suggested 1" because it usually covers all the trim completely in addition to being flexible enough to work around curves... again, that's just my preference, so go with what works for you

 

I use both the 3/4 and 1" 3M Delicate Surface tape. Much better than the original since it's softer and can bend better around curves.

 

I was walking through Target yesterday and saw it in 1" so I picked it up to try it out. Worse case, I buy 3/4 and have a back up for if I run short.