What did you do to your mini today?
Umm, the beltline blackout can be done by applying a beltline blackout kit OVER the chrome (under $20, various Mini retailers) or for $3.50 doing the same thing using Scotch33+ electrical tape - which actually works pretty well and has the right "sheen".
20 minute job if you're careful.
20 minute job if you're careful.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 0
From: Maryland, USA
Umm, the beltline blackout can be done by applying a beltline blackout kit OVER the chrome (under $20, various Mini retailers) or for $3.50 doing the same thing using Scotch33+ electrical tape - which actually works pretty well and has the right "sheen".
20 minute job if you're careful.
20 minute job if you're careful.
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 112
From: Mount Doom, Mordor
Scotch 33+ tape is pretty tough stuff. It's meant to hold up under all sorts of conditions and remain stuck to the thing it's insulating, as it's electrician's tape....
C ya,
Dutch
C ya,
Dutch
Giggles, I did one of these too, at first. The Scotch33+ is rather good, it's not that cheapo goop-backed plastic electrical tape that you'd get for 99c at a dime store, it's the real deal. For $3.50 (ish) it'll give you "the look" without much investment. If that's what you're looking for, great, remove it and go get the good stuff.
That said, I had the 33+ on my beltline (the Mini's, not my pants!) for a Pittsburgh summer, took it off, no residue, no worries, held up fine. Also had used it on an older VW Cabrio that lost a molding, had it on there 2+ years, held up fine, no sags no tears no peeling. I've also used it to secure the ends of handlebar tape on my race bikes (bicycles) for years - of sun and sweaty hands. The trick is to install with as little stretch as possible, and carefully cut-and-tuck the ends so there's no tape corner there to peel.
too, at first. The Scotch33+ is rather good, it's not that cheapo goop-backed plastic electrical tape that you'd get for 99c at a dime store, it's the real deal. For $3.50 (ish) it'll give you "the look" without much investment. If that's what you're looking for, great, remove it and go get the good stuff. That said, I had the 33+ on my beltline (the Mini's, not my pants!) for a Pittsburgh summer, took it off, no residue, no worries, held up fine. Also had used it on an older VW Cabrio that lost a molding, had it on there 2+ years, held up fine, no sags no tears no peeling. I've also used it to secure the ends of handlebar tape on my race bikes (bicycles) for years - of sun and sweaty hands. The trick is to install with as little stretch as possible, and carefully cut-and-tuck the ends so there's no tape corner there to peel.
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 754
Likes: 1
From: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Sweet sticker.. I want one! Haha!
I just experimented with PlastiDip + Bronze Metallizer on my auto-x fronts, love the color, not so much the results, I would definitely go powdercoating for a DD set.
I just experimented with PlastiDip + Bronze Metallizer on my auto-x fronts, love the color, not so much the results, I would definitely go powdercoating for a DD set.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 0
From: Maryland, USA
Giggles, I did one of these too, at first. The Scotch33+ is rather good, it's not that cheapo goop-backed plastic electrical tape that you'd get for 99c at a dime store, it's the real deal. For $3.50 (ish) it'll give you "the look" without much investment. If that's what you're looking for, great, remove it and go get the good stuff.
That said, I had the 33+ on my beltline (the Mini's, not my pants!) for a Pittsburgh summer, took it off, no residue, no worries, held up fine. Also had used it on an older VW Cabrio that lost a molding, had it on there 2+ years, held up fine, no sags no tears no peeling. I've also used it to secure the ends of handlebar tape on my race bikes (bicycles) for years - of sun and sweaty hands. The trick is to install with as little stretch as possible, and carefully cut-and-tuck the ends so there's no tape corner there to peel.
too, at first. The Scotch33+ is rather good, it's not that cheapo goop-backed plastic electrical tape that you'd get for 99c at a dime store, it's the real deal. For $3.50 (ish) it'll give you "the look" without much investment. If that's what you're looking for, great, remove it and go get the good stuff. That said, I had the 33+ on my beltline (the Mini's, not my pants!) for a Pittsburgh summer, took it off, no residue, no worries, held up fine. Also had used it on an older VW Cabrio that lost a molding, had it on there 2+ years, held up fine, no sags no tears no peeling. I've also used it to secure the ends of handlebar tape on my race bikes (bicycles) for years - of sun and sweaty hands. The trick is to install with as little stretch as possible, and carefully cut-and-tuck the ends so there's no tape corner there to peel.
There are no stupid questions... well, except maybe that one!
Let's see, I'm running Dragon Draggin, hosting the PittsBURGER "magical mystery burger run", dragging over 125 POUNDS of Bingo apparatus to MOTD (!!) so we can run Bingo (looks like I'll be announcing again... "Oh-sixty nine..."), working with my buds at G4 again... going to the BrewSwap again... even bringing the Missus (my "speed governess") Gonna be a GREAT time!
Let's see, I'm running Dragon Draggin, hosting the PittsBURGER "magical mystery burger run", dragging over 125 POUNDS of Bingo apparatus to MOTD (!!) so we can run Bingo (looks like I'll be announcing again... "Oh-sixty nine..."), working with my buds at G4 again... going to the BrewSwap again... even bringing the Missus (my "speed governess") Gonna be a GREAT time!
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 0
From: Maryland, USA
There are no stupid questions... well, except maybe that one!
Let's see, I'm running Dragon Draggin, hosting the PittsBURGER "magical mystery burger run", dragging over 125 POUNDS of Bingo apparatus to MOTD (!!) so we can run Bingo (looks like I'll be announcing again... "Oh-sixty nine..."), working with my buds at G4 again... going to the BrewSwap again... even bringing the Missus (my "speed governess") Gonna be a GREAT time!
Let's see, I'm running Dragon Draggin, hosting the PittsBURGER "magical mystery burger run", dragging over 125 POUNDS of Bingo apparatus to MOTD (!!) so we can run Bingo (looks like I'll be announcing again... "Oh-sixty nine..."), working with my buds at G4 again... going to the BrewSwap again... even bringing the Missus (my "speed governess") Gonna be a GREAT time!
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Long Island, NY
Finally mounted up his new summer wheels. I think I like them, but ever since powder coating my winter wheels black, I keep liking black more... I am liking that they are lighter than OEM - THAT I can feel!!
washed it and swapped my tips for the "sport" tips I picked up from MinipartsMass (they rock, I had them the next day). After installing my GP rear valence the stock tips looked way too small (and I always hated them b/c of their ugly shape), so it gave me a reason to get new ones. I'm also planning on polishing the car today with some Klasse once I have some shade to work in, then I should be all ready for Dubs on Defrost tomorrow in CT
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 0
From: Maryland, USA
six weeks with this mod. Yes, MUCH better response convinced! Sound is positively sexy
I took the 2009 Astro Black Metallic MCS in to get the windows tinted. I also ordered a set of 18x8 KYOWA KR628 EVOLVE BLACK W/RED LIP and TOYO PROXES 4 215/35ZR18 84W from Performance Plus. I also installed a JCW upper strut brace yesterday.
Still have a bad cv joint and my new motor mounts are driving me nuts!
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 134
Likes: 4
From: Central, FL
Mary Jane came home on a flatbed today. Orlando MINI told me her Super Charger was shot....... Grrrrrrrr and with only 77K on her. Just my luck, oh well got the parts on order and should be putting a new on in her next weekend with the aid of a friend and quite a few Bud Lights.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Long Island, NY
A good friend to have. 
Last night I finished replacing every clear bulb in the interior with amber.
MINI uses the same bulb in the interior that they do in the side markers. So now my lower door, dome and footwells are bathed in orange. While it makes a difference with my black interior, I imagine that the polar beige, satellite gray or other light colored interior would look really good.
Last night I finished replacing every clear bulb in the interior with amber.
MINI uses the same bulb in the interior that they do in the side markers. So now my lower door, dome and footwells are bathed in orange. While it makes a difference with my black interior, I imagine that the polar beige, satellite gray or other light colored interior would look really good.
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
A good friend to have.
Last night I finished replacing every clear bulb in the interior with amber. MINI uses the same bulb in the interior that they do in the side markers. So now my lower door, dome and footwells are bathed in orange. While it makes a difference with my black interior, I imagine that the polar beige, satellite gray or other light colored interior would look really good.
Last night I finished replacing every clear bulb in the interior with amber.
MINI uses the same bulb in the interior that they do in the side markers. So now my lower door, dome and footwells are bathed in orange. While it makes a difference with my black interior, I imagine that the polar beige, satellite gray or other light colored interior would look really good. How many bulbs are needed and what part#...? I have cabrio not sure if different or not
Doing this
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Long Island, NY
Went to Autozone - Sylvania Long Life 2827. Not sure if it would be the same for an R52, but odds are it is.
Footwells were a bit of a pain - both getting the cover off and the bulb. Push up and slide out.
Footwells were a bit of a pain - both getting the cover off and the bulb. Push up and slide out.
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: North Phoenix, AZ
This morning, I found out the little rubber boot on the clutch came off. This was after driving without it! I thought it felt a little more slippery when I got in the car :/ I didn't realize those came off! I'm also trying to figure out how get rid of the wind noise, even though my sunroof is closed. So busy!