[0000]

I have a 2008 328 coupe, black mettalic,

I will be attempting a full detail for the first time this weekend.

I will be polsihing with a Porter cable 7424XP

What do I need to tape up before I start?

edges around hood/trunk etc or nor not necessary?


how is the BMW clearcoat?

[Krells]

I hate to tape up the car so I use products that don't dust much. Otherwise you can tape off trim pieces, tailights, etc.

[crazydrummer]

I hate taping aswell so I only do the absolutely needed areas. Sunroof and maybe window trim

[twinturboa51]

Originally Posted by crazydrummer

I hate taping aswell so I only do the absolutely needed areas. Sunroof and maybe window trim

+1. its a waste of time for most places imo

[Bobble]

I'm the odd man here as I tape the lights (front and rear), the roundels and the window trim. That way I can polish or wax/seal right to the edges with out any worries. Doesn't take long and iis my safety net I guess.

[XDEEDUBBX]

some taping is required but not at all places. You can always go over the areas with a rag or a tooth pick after.

[Envious Eric]

I hope you guys not taping realize there is more things than can happen than just dust in the cracks/crevices...

the reason behind taping isnt even for dust, its for burning trim! and its not the polish that will burn the trim, its the pad! Take an orange pad across rubber trim and its done in 2 seconds and will need to be replaced!

Tape off anything rubber, all felt, and window trim! plastics you are ok, edges you are ok with a PC. rotary, you are in a different situation!

[0000]

thanks for the info, just to to confirm, the edges of each panels such as the hood, dont need to but tapped off due to thinner clear coat around the edges right? THE Porter cable wont be able to do any damage anyways?

[Bobble]

Yes no real worries with a PC on edges and transitions. Just don't polish and sit right on the edge. I would tape though.

[Darkstar752]

Originally Posted by 0000

thanks for the info, just to to confirm, the edges of each panels such as the hood, dont need to but tapped off due to thinner clear coat around the edges right? THE Porter cable wont be able to do any damage anyways?

Don't worry about taping any crevices.

Tape the Roundels, all the roof trim, window, and the pillar trim. Is burning the trim is not worth the 10 seconds and couple cents worth of tape that you would have used? And burned trim doesn't happen everytime, hence why some people say you don't need it, but trust me it happens and you'll be cursing yourself out for not taping it.

[fdriller9]

I only tape when I'm using really abrasive polishes....like around headlights, taillights, etc

So the abrasive doesn't haze the lens....otherwise I have to follow up with a less aggressive polish.

I just try to stay away from trim pieces.

[y2jay]

Originally Posted by Envious Eric

I hope you guys not taping realize there is more things than can happen than just dust in the cracks/crevices...

the reason behind taping isnt even for dust, its for burning trim! and its not the polish that will burn the trim, its the pad! Take an orange pad across rubber trim and its done in 2 seconds and will need to be replaced!

Tape off anything rubber, all felt, and window trim! plastics you are ok, edges you are ok with a PC. rotary, you are in a different situation!

+1