What did you do to your mini today?
Kurtster, with respect, not all of us are willing to drop ~$40,000 on a JCW Coupe. The 3M 33+ tape actually looks OEM, and holds up for at least a summer or two. It can leave *some* (small amounts) residue, as can any vinyl tape, but it's a 15-minute, buy-it-at-the-hardware-store-on-a-whim $3.50 job on a shady summer day to see if you like the look, then leave it on a few months, and change it up when you're done, or "upgrade" to the Outmotoring kit (great folks, Outmotoring!). Just don't try it using anything BUT the 33+ tape, or it'll look like carp.
Me today? EBC Greenstuff and ATE slotted rotors. 25 minutes including cleanup. LOVE impact wrenches, don't love the sound of the EBC wear layer as it mates to the rotors, that first stop sounded like scraping teeth. Nice now, however.
Me today? EBC Greenstuff and ATE slotted rotors. 25 minutes including cleanup. LOVE impact wrenches, don't love the sound of the EBC wear layer as it mates to the rotors, that first stop sounded like scraping teeth. Nice now, however.
Sent from my iPad using NAMotoring
Last edited by Kurtster; Nov 23, 2012 at 07:42 PM.
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 108
From: Mount Doom, Mordor
3M is good solid high-quality tape, and is good with high temperatures, such as may be encountered in wiring that's running at full current capacity and still needs to remain insulated....
Not all good things are expen$ive, and some of the very very very best are *free*....
That said, I like my chrome, and, though I bought a roll of Super 33, it sits unused (for that porpoise, at least).
C ya,
Dutch
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Porterville, CA
I'm gonna go ahead and give the super 33 3m tape a shot. Sounds like everyone has had a good experience with it. I can see why some people may think it would look "cheap" but I think it'll look a lot cleaner than chrome with the color combo on my car. And personally I enjoy going out, finding a good deal and doing the work myself rather than buying some outrageously over priced online part and then paying some shop to put it on for me....just my 2 cents worth.....being creative and doing the work yourself is where the fun is at!
4th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
From: So CAL
R56robDizz, post some pics of that belt line. I am curious if that 3m tape works better than the out motoring kit. I got the outmotoring kit for Christmas last year. It made it to about July before the outer clear layer started cracking. By August I had a barcoded beltline so I took it off. It didn't leave any residue at least.
My other complaint is they don't give you enough tape if you screw up. So start on the smallest panel to get your feet wet. It is really easy to not quite black everything out, then you get this little chrome strip peaking through.
I just replaced my hood on my 2010 and that chrome beltline trim comes off really easy on the hood and adjacent panels. (just pull up, you don't even need tools). I didn't try the doors or hatch yet but it comes off so easy up front, you could remove it and platidip it way faster than masking.
My other complaint is they don't give you enough tape if you screw up. So start on the smallest panel to get your feet wet. It is really easy to not quite black everything out, then you get this little chrome strip peaking through.
I just replaced my hood on my 2010 and that chrome beltline trim comes off really easy on the hood and adjacent panels. (just pull up, you don't even need tools). I didn't try the doors or hatch yet but it comes off so easy up front, you could remove it and platidip it way faster than masking.
Last edited by smoke05S; Nov 23, 2012 at 10:17 PM.
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Porterville, CA
Hey Smoke, will do. I will have some free time tomorrow afternoon so if all goes according to plan I will have a blacked-out belt line by tomorrow night. If the 3m stuff doesn't work, you bring up an interesting approach by removing the belt line from the car.
Does anyone have any stories or experiences involved with removing the belt line? I'm curious as to how well it goes back on once its been removed....don't want it falling/blowing off while I'm cruising down the freeway lol
Does anyone have any stories or experiences involved with removing the belt line? I'm curious as to how well it goes back on once its been removed....don't want it falling/blowing off while I'm cruising down the freeway lol
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Porterville, CA
Well guys, started blacking out my belt line with some super 33 tape, and I gotta say it looks really, really good. It's to the point where the tape looks like it came on the car from the factory. Right now I'm about half way done, but I thought I would take a break and share some pics I snapped while working on it. I will say it takes A LOT of patience...I've put in a good hour and a half so far. You must go super slow or else it will "bubble" up on the trim. I'm also using an xacto knife to trim any unwanted tape.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,446
Likes: 9
From: L.A ca
I am making an addition to the car which is going to make getting in and out while in the garage a bit more of a hasssle so I swapped my Momo wheel for a flat bottom OMP.
Randy
The old
the new
installed
Randy
The old
the new
installed
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,446
Likes: 9
From: L.A ca
Randy
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 52
From: World Championship 50 Fans
erutcip taerg............. sorry, I posted it backwards. It says "great picture".
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Porterville, CA
That's what I get for using my iPhone to upload pics....my technology skills are a bit lacking as you can tell haha
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 6
From: Jack Coffee Hays County, Republic of Texas
The door panel was pretty hot sitting in direct sunlight. The ding "popped out" pretty much after contact with the sub-zero propellant.
Phase II may be dry ice following some spot hair-dryer applied heat.
Over the years, I've had some success with techniques like these: http://www.ehow.com/how_4813014_repa...oor-dings.html
Phase II may be dry ice following some spot hair-dryer applied heat.
Over the years, I've had some success with techniques like these: http://www.ehow.com/how_4813014_repa...oor-dings.html
Last edited by pmsummer; Nov 25, 2012 at 01:21 PM.
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Maryland, USA
Changed my thermostat yesterday. The gasket had gone bad and cracked, leaking coolant and causing the car to overheat. It was a whole lot harder to get to than the manual stated, but still a simple enough fix to do at home.
