polishing question....

First off, please forgive me if this has been asked before. I searched but couldn't find anything.

I recently bought a Griot's DA polisher. I've been watching many videos on how to use it and I feel pretty confident now. The only thing i'm concerned about is the black trim pieces on my truck. I have a super white DCSB. There's black trim on my oem roof rack, the rubber trim on the fender flares and so forth. If I accidently got polish or wax on the black areas, what is the best way to remove it? I hate seeing cars/trucks with polish smug marks on the trim pieces.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!

 

Tape them off with some detailing tape. Yes, it may take longer but it will give you a better finished product.

 

Prep is the key! I like 3m automotive masking tape. Pick up a couple sizes if you can. If you do get residue on the trim (which you shouldn't) APC and a stiff brush will take it off.

 

There is no stained trim in this dojo. You must tape grasshoppa!









3m green gets expensive but its your most logical and easy to find choice. My local distributor carries a line called 'american' and I use their blue tape which is popular amongst the body shops around here.

 

I like the Frog Yellow paint tape. It leaves little to no sticky residue when removed. Stay away from 3M Blue tape on cars.

 

Just curious, am I the only one who doesn't like DA polishers? I personally prefer wool mop on an orbital polisher. Maybe I am just old-school that way? lol.

 

I like my orbital polisher and I wouldn't use anything else.

I think DA's are just easier to use for people who are just starting to polish.

 

Not to highjack your thread...and I am no professional, but on vehicles with trim that is a little worn I have lightly hit smooth black trim pieces and have been surprised how well they look after.
They only problem I have is if I sling wax onto my cowl. It takes a while to get the coarser plastic clean again.
I have heard, but have not tried, that you can use peanut butter on trim to bring back luster. Anyone ever done this?

 

Peanut butter will work but it is a temporary fix. Try a product like Black Wow or Back to Black. You will like the results.

 

Depending on what POLISH you use, there are few that does not stain the trims / black plastic.

I does detailing on my personal cars. And I am a member of several detailing forum.
I FREAKING HATE TAPING.
Majority of the time i use a "Polish" to get the job done, because they are much thinner compare to compound and also not as coarse.

But really taping is probably the best way to go, just takes a LOT of time for me

 

^^^^ LOL On cars with a lot of trim the taping can take a while to do that is for sure.

 

I am not a big fan of Back to Black, at least not on "worn-out" trim. It works great on newer trim.

I use automagic waxes a lot since I used to clean a lot of boats. I have used some of the clear waxes for hand waxing and yes, they are great for not staining trim.

I have used the Magic Eraser, yes like you use to clean your house walls etc..., on worn out bumper plastic and it works good. Takes some elbow grease but it works.

 

I use black WOW myself. A small drop on a foam pad goes a long way.

 

Are you guys talking about the huge (10 in.)UFO looking things that have no power and are only marginally effective at spreading wax?
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ditional-orbital-buffer-aka-wax-spreader.html

If so I would really like to see some defect removal pictures using these machines. I don't know how you keep it spinning?

 

I think, but am not certain by any means, that they are talking about the rotary polishers, like the dewalts and similar... if that is the case, its waaaaay over my skill level, put one of those in my hands with a wool bonnet and i would probably only be able to show you how to strip paint off a car with no chemicals!!

That is why i will continue to stick with my PC and invest my money in different pads and polishes to get the results i need... guess some will call that playing it safe or maybe even being a scared wimp... but oh well, works for me!

 

I agree! My PC has never let me down!

 

and if it does, just switch to a more aggressive pad or polish... amirite???

 

All of these vehicles were done using Dual Action polishers. The best detailers in the world rely on DA's to restore the worlds finest automobiles!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/76984-paint-restoration-2014-porsche.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...tailed-02-e46-m3-single-stage-correction.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...nd-sport-vette-correction-cquartz-finest.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ss-wheel-coating-attitude-black-metallic.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...n-detail-protected-swissvax-crystal-rock.html
http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/detailers-showcase/44669-makes-me-sick-911-finest.html
http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums...z-finest-greg-gellas-signature-detailing.html
http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/detailers-showcase/44626-black-label-coated-corvette.html
http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums...ut-worth-2011-silverado-corrected-coated.html
http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/detailers-showcase/44527-f430-finest.html

Don't forget our own Mr. Sparkle and Jean Claude who turn out fabulous work with DA's. I'm not trying to pick, just keep the record staight for whomever might read this thread in the future.

 

x2, I got that crap on the black trim on my white Tacoma and it looks terrible. Take a few minutes and tape off the black parts.

 

Yuppp, and even when i tape my tacoma for polish, the tape always end up falling off after going just once on that particular area.


I just wipe off the polish residue on plastic right away when it happens.
With a wet MF Towel