I just got Richard's DVD and its really informative however, does anyone have any pictures of how to tape a mini for PC waxing ?

Looking for close up of where to tape and over all what you tape. I would go insane taping, because the other person i would ask is agranger and my wife does not let me talk to him any more about detailing

 

Just tape off any black trim. Some also tape off around the sunroof, but I don't have an issue there. The edges of vinyl stripes/graphics should also be taped, although I don't do this either (I'm a bad example for taping, I hate it).

To be honest, I don't tape at all. I slather a bunch of cheap trim sauce on and then go back after and wipe it all off. Faster, easier, and works better.

 

I don't if I am taping "properly" but I can tell you what I found out when I taped my MINI for the first time.

1. Use a wider tape (I think mine was 2 inches)

2. whenever possible do all the trim in one long strip - the first time I tried a I had loose ends and they got full of product and kept getting stuck in the PC's pad. I used words no lady should...

3. when in doubt more is better. Again, the first time I tried to get super close to the trim and I ended up getting wax/polish on nearly everything (and boy was that a pain to remove) - now I got about 1/4" in and make sure it super tight the first time (don't double tape - see #2).

4. take particular care of the rounded corners

5. when in doubt cover everything that has a hint of plastic/chrome trim

 

I'm with ML on this. I hate taping!
About the only place I tape any more is my front, side and rear badges. I use to tape my stripes on the edge because they had black pins, but I changed stripes to eliminate that issue. I remove the cowls and pop out the washer jets so no issues there either. So that's about it. Like ML I dress my trim before polishing and I tend to not get super close with the PC.
Oh I know, one strip of tape around the mirror caps only because if polish or wax gets in there I tend to cut my finger trying to wipe it out.

 

Cool thanks a bunch everyone.

 

I never do this anymore. I now put Black Wow on first, no issues.


Mark

 

Yeah I agree Mark. I use to do this


But why bother if you got BW!
Still do the outside of the mirrors but not the stem.

 

If you tape off your grille surround and emblem you won't have to dig wax out of them later.

Seeing this picture makes me dread detailing my car. I don't know if I have polishing in me. I think I'm going to leave that to the pros every couple years and stick to just DIY wax maintanence.

 

Its really not hard, i started out slow and did baby steps. Unlucky for me, agranger the author of the 12 pages of detailing note is in my local mini club and he is the first person i spoke too before getting my mini. Well he rubbed off and i have gotten alot of complements on the great detailing. But keeping up with the grangers is hard

 

Heh! I went looking for another thread and stumbled across this!

My wife won't let me talk to you either, but it's more about the reputation you have around the local MINI club!

 

Actually based on Marks picture, the taping isn't yet done! So if that picture scares you...wait till you see a completely taped off MINI, lol. The headlight surrounds aren't taped off yet, the front emblem, the chrome surround. All places that you get polish in. Course I'm more of a nut not liking getting all that residue there. I agree with Chuck though, taping is greatly minimized with BW!

And I'm finally coming out with my dedicated BW wax/polish remover that will further make this chore a simple thing.

Richard

 

Richard, can't wait for the wax remover

Mark