I've had my MINI for just over a week now and I'm already looking to doll her up! I'm hoping my fellow motorists can help me pin down a reputable custom shop in the DC/Metro area. I live in Laurel, MD, but work in Tysons Corner, VA, so anywhere there or in between would be ideal!

I haven't decided if airbrushing or some sort of vinyl adhesive cut-out would be best for what I have in mind, but would like a shop who is willing to sit down with me and brainstorm the best possible options.

As-is, I have artwork selected for my boot, I want custom bonnet stripes, and also a small, subtle detail over the door handles to really make my girl roar!

If you can't recommend a shop, but have personal experience you'd like to share, I'm open for whatever advice is available!

Thanks!

-Megan and Penny

 

Talk with Mike at Aesthetic Creations. He is not local, but he travels to manyMINI events. I was very happy with the work he did on my sunroof graphic. I don't think he does any airbrushing, but he does almost anything you can think of with vinyl.

Some of his sunroofs are here: http://aestheticreations.net/galleryframeset.htm

 

Hello again...he is not local but I have had all my vinyl work (stripes, roof, door dills, visor decals, and center caps - most of which custom only for me) done by Mike at aestheticreations (www.aestheticreations.net). There is a shop in the area which several members recommend for installs SpeedDesign in White Marsh. (Mike installed everything big on my mini) If you do plan on making it to the dragon Mike will be there doing install. Not sure if there is time open for an install or to get the order in - but you can check in with him.

I would recommend vinyl over airbrushing unless you are really committed to it. There was a club member who had a beautiful airbrushing job on his mini - though can't remember his name or where he had it done.

Here is the link on his page to the latest items he has done for me. The roof and stripes you can kinda see in my signature - but if interested check my gallery - I think I have pics up. Mike's work.

 

simultaneous replies!

 

The dealers in the Sterling/Chantilly area use Zebra Stripes Inc. He is the only 3M certified installer in the area. He will install stripes or graphics printed from any of the graphic vendors advertising here on NAM. Also check out MightyStripes and Cooperflags here on Nam

 

I too will recommend Mike at Aesthetic Creations. Of course the responses from those os us who have had some work done will recommend him, he did all our cars!
But alas, he isn't local. As for local, I can't help you out. I wait till I see Mike and have him work on Soulfire. Can't beat my dragons!

 

I too recommend Mike (Dragonflyer here on NAM) & Aesthetic Creations.

 

I for one don't recommend him, shop around. There are many vynal vendors on NAM, A/C, Cooperflags, Mighty Stripes, Rouge MINIs. CF, MS, and RM will all beat A/C's price drastically! Just my .02.

 

Rouge doesn't do vinyl other the the Eyes that Emily prints. When did you ever have any contact with Emily or Chris?

 

I talked to Emily about doing my stripes and roof numbers for me, and she had Chris do them for me. He got me 2 sets of stripes and 1 set of roof numbers for $50, the same amount that A/C was going to charge me just to do the design, plus printing, plus shipping.

 

cool Jeremy - I stand corrected