I'm trying to decide whether to pull the trigger on a custom roof wrap / sunroof graphic on my new car. I can get it done for $500 ($150 to acquire the artwork I will use, $350 for printing and installation).

The material is the best quality you can get (3M, cast vinyl, overlaminate over all printed vinyl), but the car will not be garaged and will be subject to San Diego weather -- lots of sun and nighttime dew which leaves microscopic fallout when it dries. The shop says to expect only three years from the painted roof areas and about one to one and a half years from the perforated vinyl over the sunroof. The sunroof can be reprinted and reinstalled for $150 down the line.

The vinyl on the painted surface needs to watched very carefully for cracks -- should it crack "you want to get it pulled off as soon as possible because that's when people have had paint damage if they leave it on for too long after that".

I have no doubt that the graphic I would install will be very cool -- I'm just trying to wrap my head around a $500 mod (or $650 if I have the sunroof redone at 18 months) that in all likelihood will only last three years.

Would you do it, or would you use the money somewhere else on your car?

Anyone out there with roof graphics (on prior Mini's) have any input on how long their graphics have held up?

Just feeling lost on whether to pull the trigger. It's been yes, no, yes, no, yes, ...

 

If you do it and like it, that means you're going to have to be okay with spending that much money every three years. That is what I'd be weighing. Long term costs. But again, this is all subjective. But since you did ask for opinions: I'd spend that money elsewhere. Or... spend less money for material of less quality that you know won't last, and be okay with redoing it sooner.

 

go for it! just wax, or better seal the vinyl to protect from the elements. I had my roof wrapped a while back and took care of it in the same way as the rest of the car. This was in '09 and it still looks fine, no cracking.

 

That's the kind of encouragement I need!

Did yours last this long with a sunroof, or no sunroof? I think no sunroof might hold up better as all edges tuck under outside edge roof weatherstrip. But I know they apply edge sealer where roof paint surface meets sunroof -- but I worry about it being another failure point (when the "no's" kick in).

And where are you located / is car garaged?

If I could get five good years, I'm in. Even five years and maybe having to redo the perforated vinyl once (i.e. $650 / 5 years), I'm in.

This is a very quality shop, so I know they will do it right. I also know that if I was a shop, I'd under promise the expected longevity so the customer doesn't come back made if I over promise. Plus, I agree, they have to expect you are not going to take care of it. But the buyer of my 2009 MCS I just sold said the car looked great -- and I thought I had slacked some the last year or so (and I did), but I think I'll be back in "take great care of it mode" again with the new car

More replies still wanted, especially from those who have had roof and/or sunroof graphics.

 

Planning on wrapping mine....if that makes you feel better

 

There is a special wrap wax you can use as well

 

Go for it! If you do it you're going to look after it so I'm sure it will look good for many years and you will have a one of a kind MINI. I was thinking about vinyl wrapping the roof to match my custom stripes but ended up having the roof painted instead as I have no intention of changing it. I love that my MINI is unique and you will too. Here's my custom baby...

 

Now THAT is a snazzy looking car.

 

Just do it. I was chatting with my wife last night about this and that, and a conversation about a topic similar to the conundrum you're facing came up. She quickly pointed out that I tend to be the "Larry David" of the party, ruining passion with pragmatism. She's right. Do what makes you smile.

 

I have a Union Jack on the sunroof, it was my first mod, four years ago. It looks the same as the day it was installed. I keep the car in a carport, not garaged.

You could extend the life of your graphics with a quality car cover.

Dave

 

You may want to think about something like Opti-coat 2.0 to protect it. I don't think you should ever use a polisher on it. You will probably damage it. Polisher meaning an abrasive polish and/or pad. But I'd contact the Opti-Coat folks and see if it is okay on your vinyl. I'm used it on my paint and it is good stuff... but not cheap.

 

Well, just pulled the trigger and spent $150 for the original watercolor painting (with permission to use as a car graphic).

Next up is the deposit to the shop that will print and install, so they will provide the template to do the layout.

I'll definitely be posting pictures of the finished product (need the car, plus the original to arrive, then digitized, then printed, then installed).

I also will likely do a write-up on the whole process too. I'm hopeful the shop doing the install will let me be present to get lots of pictures of the installation, but haven't discussed that with them.

 

Marty: Wait a minute. Wait a minute Don, uh, are you telling me you built a time machine... out of a Mini Cooper?

Don: The way I see it, if you're going to build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style?

 

That's a pretty cool mod.. I'll take one of those!

 

thank you!!!!