I'm going to wax my truck again after the weather calms back down, and I was wondering...Would it be o.k. to put maskingtape on the plastic trim along top of my bed/tailgate, to keep from getting wax on it? And also,the sidestep on my truck, Do you think the tape will leave a residue behind? (Keep in mind i live in the heat of louisiana). Thanks in advance

~..Josh

 

masking tape should be fine it isnt very sticky and shoulndt leave antt residue. that is what they use when painting and detailing cars

 

I would suggest using painters tape. Its adhesive is not a strong as regualr masking tape. I recently waxed my truck in the garage on a 90+ degree day with the painters tape. There was a little residue left with this on the chrome F150 emblem, so I would imagine masking tape would be worse.

 

I used it when I waxed the wife's car and had no problems with it at all.

 

Blue 3M brand painter's tape is the only brand/type I'll use.

Position the strip of tape such that you allow the maximum area of the paint to be addressed by wax; hence, you're not wanting to use tape to prevent waxing, you're wanting it to prevent wax getting on your trim.



While we should CERTAINLY have used more tape, we were more concerned with the top of the trunk as we were playing with an air sander and also 2000 grit side by side (hence the dull looking trunk lid).



I use it for side by side comparisons across the paint as well.



I put this one is as a reminder... you don't wax where the tape is located because the tape prevents the wax from getting to the paint... well, it's important to follow back up over the areas (even small ones in my opinion) with a coat of wax by hand (and ultra-careful) to ensure even and uniform coverage.

RP

 

Thanks for the replies guys. So rockpick, u really do work for meguiars? i thought u were just a detailing expert, but, now ur both. Thanks again

~..Josh

 

Nope. Don't work for them. I did a little gig for them for about a year that was similar to what I do here for f150online.com (a moderator for their message boards).

Also, I should note... NEVER wear jeans while detailing! Too many things to scratch a finish... We didn't know we were in the garage on the first day thus, many of us didn't come prepared (hence, the apron).

RP

 

I debated over getting that apron for a month....didn't want to look like grandma, but I use it every time.

 

Yeah... I wear mine just about every time I detail... it's actually pretty handy with the pouches in the front when you're using secondary bottles... easy to drop one in, use the machine, pull it back out and dispense more product to the pad...

By the same token, my neighbor makes fun of me... LOL!... he shut up after I detailed his Maxima though.

 

That blue painters tape works wonders, but it can't be left on for extended periods of time (like days in the heat)

 

WOW! Your using a angle grinder on that car! Wouldnt that be enough RPM to melt the paint?

 

Here's a couple pics using the blue tape. It may take a while to put on, but beats having to clean up the black plastic and other surfaces not waxed.

Before wax:




After wax, sitting in the sun.