Watched a video the other day where the gas tank cover was taped up while the area around it was worked first, then removed and polished on it's own. Does this prevent damage? Anybody else do this? I'd like some advice to make sure I keep improving my methods. In order to work the product side to side and up and down, should I change to a 3 inch pad just for the cover? Here's a picture of me working a car and want to know your thoughts so I can better improve.
I do it because I was use a rotary and am scared of burning edges by mistake. I will go over that part with my DA once that arrives.
I used a forced DA, so don't have any worries about that area. I just polish it like it's part of the entire panel.
As P1et said, if you are using a DA, I wouldn't worry about it unless you are using something like M105. If using a rotary, I always tape it off.
I never tape off the cover, I just tend to ease up on the pressure as I pass the edges. I have never burned through an edge doing it this way. I also cut down speed around edges like this anyway. If you are sure of very thin paint or need to correct a lot there, then yes, it would make sense to use a 3" pad or so, and be really careful, stop, wipe off, and see how it looks a lot. About the only thing I tape off is substrate like black trim, moldings, that might be damaged by compound and a Rotary if I let it slip in my hand. Houston - your pic is exactly how I do it and I go right over the cover. Using something as mild as Menzerna PO85RD, I dont think you could ever burn through the paint there anyway. Good luck, be careful, you are doing great ! Dan F
in that picture, isn't he using the blue LC wax pad? I have one just like it that I sometimes use to apply waxes. It has no cut at all. What exactly is he masking things off for with that pad? Waste of time.
The pad is a blue DD Final Polish pad. I was trying this pad first before seeing if Green DD Pad was needed.
off topic: I have the same eye glasses as you on Topic: I tape the fuel door, polish the areas around it, remove the tape I just placed and 3 in pad polish the door.
It won't be a waste of time if the guy who polished it last time used a wool pad and stopped a c hair this side of going through. Just sayin.
Maybe he keeps the car masked the whole way through the detail. I know I do unless there is something wrong with doing that.
I generally stuff the filler cavity with rags so I have a firm surface to work on with the door slightly open. Then when I work the panel I avoid the door. In event the door doesn't fit flush and the edges are a concern I'll tape them. TL.
