So, I just got my first Mini. It's a 2007 base model in British Racing Green with the white top, mirrors, and stripes. I haven't been able to drive it yet because I am waiting on the expansion tank hose that I found out I also needed after replacing the infamous leaking thermostat housing and coolant pipe.

Anyways, I want to remove the stripes because they are cracked and look like hell. I'm confident they are stock because they have paint matching green lines up the sides. I'm not here for advice on removing them, I can look that up elsewhere here on the forum and save you the trouble. I am looking for opinions. How bad do you think the paint fade will be after 13 years(lol) on this specific color? Will it look worse than cracked to hell stripes? Worst case scenario I'll just have to put new ones on but I'd rather not have them at all. I'd be willing to wax it weekly if it will make the fade disappear. I guess I'm hoping someone else that has removed them from this color Mini can chime in.

 

I did this last month on an R55 Clubman in Electric Blue. Same issues as you, cracked and faded. The paint under the stripes was definitely brighter and noticeable. I expect yours would also be like that. No amount of "waxing" will fix that, as you are waxing clear coat, not the color coat. I bought new stripes from ebay that worked out really well. However getting the old stripes off was no fun at all. I tried a heat gun to no avail, and eventually bought a product in a spray can that you spray on to the vinyl and let sit for 10 minutes before using a plastic scraper to remove. It took about an hour and a half, and the fumes are very strong.

 

Thanks for the reply. It sounds like I'm in for a great time... I like the 2 tone BRG with white top and mirrors but I just don't like the stripes on it. The car was garaged most of its life so I'm hoping I at least get off easy on removal, not counting on it though. I guess I will order new stripes to have them on hand when I remove the originals. See what it looks like and go from there. It won't be hard to decide on color as white seems like the only logical choice.

 

I'm sure you have looked into how to remove you stripes and like most anything have found numerous different ways from different people. This is more of a what I did wrong and do with it what you please post because this just feels like one of those you can get 100 opinion topics (strip/pinstripe removal). When I bought my Mini 3 years ago it had 2 8 inch wide stripes from front to back not factory stripes. They were starting to fade and and looking spotty. Not a fan of strips I decided to remove them, used a hair dryer to help but they were very stuck. Just came to conclusion would just have to use brute strength problem is on the roof top after I started to get worn out I started to put my elbows down and use them as a leverage point. I put what looks like mild hail damage in my roof. One of the dumbest things I have done working on cars. After that a good friend of mine that owns a repair shop told me the striping guys use a rubber wheel on a drill and it apparently comes right off. Far as the fade it's most likely will always be there. Have not seen a mini that has had there stripes removed that you couldn't still see a shadow of where they once was. Mine are not to bad so I live with it .

 

I know a DocaDisc Decal Remover can help on emblem residue and stickers. Should help for stripes. Search for Doca Disc Decal Remover. On Amazon at:

 

I removed mine just by parking the car in the sun on a hot afternoon. A heat gun or hair dryer on high should work, too. Need just enough heat to soften the vinyl and adhesive. Take your time, and don't try to rush it.

 

Steam .....

I have a small steam cleaner that I use to clean the engine of my 79 ... and other tasks

when Mrs decided stripes on her Roadster had to go (fade spots) ... I tried several things and eventually tried the lil steam cleaner .....

duh

it softens the glue and can NOT generate enuf heat to damage the paint (heat gun)

 

I can vouch for the steam cleaner. I just removed my stripes yesterday and the steam cleaner worked great, even for 9-year-old rather cracked stripes. You can blast away as much as you want with no risk of damaging the paint like can potentially happen with a heat gun.

 

Any difference in color once the stripes are off? Can you tell where they were? I have a 2010 with stripes I would like to remove, but i'm worried there will be "ghost" stripes left behind once ten year old stripes removed.

 

My car had ghost stripes when I removed mine, but not from paint fade, rather from road ‘patina.’ The paint under the stripes will be protected and fresh, but where exposed will have sun and road exposure.