taping to protect trim when polishing: question!

So I have felt farily comfortable applying masking tape to moldings, trims, grout, etc... when polishing/compounding/applying LSP to vehicles when detailing. However, I always still seem
to get polish and lsp stuck in the corners and grout still. It isn't discoloring the trim at all (okay at least the tape is doing its job), but there is still a large amount of excess polish and lsp that builds up in the door handles, separations in body panels, etc...

What do you guys recommend to solve this problem? It stinks to not be able to attack this problem and have a clients car need a lot of clean-up when I think this problem can somehow be prevented in the first place...

Thanks guys!

 

grout?

 

Maybe they cars have tile floors?

 

Ahhh yes! Silly me not to pick up on that :doh:

 

I'm not sure if I understand the question right but by the time I'm at the LSP the tape is gone. The way I make sure the residue is gone is to make sure I open all the doors, Trunk, Hood and give a final wipe to make everything looks nice. Along with that I carry a nice soft detail brush to make sure I got every other nook and cranny...:thumb:

I hope I understood the question right. If not try again and we will make sure you get it answered...:thumb:

 

Just use less polish and work on a section at a time. This will still happen a little, but you'll just have to deal with it (Q-tips or a small brush maybe? I use a steam cleaner). Just be careful not to mar the paint when you're removing the polish from the cracks.

 

+1, make sure you apply the LSP once the tape has been removed and the paint either treated with a prewax such as Swissvax Cleaner fluid, dodo Lime Prime, Zymol HD cleanse, etc. or wiped down with isoprop. alcohol. and water (just to make sure there is no residue left).

 

got it guys thx! i need to pick up a soft bristle detail bursh, been on my line of things to get for a bit now. What kind do you recommend?

 

One of these perhaps?
Meguiars Triple Duty Detail Brush

 

These brushes have stiff bristles unfortunately. Spend the money on a Swisswax brush and keep it for cleaning around trim. I do have some coming from Raceglaze that are similar to the Swisswax one.

 

I guess I misunderstood. I thought the OP was referring to a tool to remove excess product from around emblems and such....

 

Exactly what I'm looking for! SOmething with stuff enough bristles to remove product from around emblems, inside trim cracks, etc... but gentle enough to not marr/scratch paint.

any ideas?

 

Q-tips shouldn't mar the paint if they're wet with some QD.

 

Maybe fold the edge of a microfiber over something thin and stiff (no sexual jokes allowed). I can't remember but someone used a ruler and a microfiber to clean the edge of the glass on the rear deck of a car, very resourceful. Of course agitate with Isopropyl if it is polish residue, and QD if it is a LSP.

 

I have these but honestly I've never used them because I use my steam cleaner and Q-tips now.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product...ord=detailing+stick&sortby=newArrivals&page=1

 

That actually looks like a great set of tools! I have a bunch of brushes, etc.. arriving this weekend. If they don't do the trick, I will seriously think about picking up a set of these!