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General MINI TalkShared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
Nice! Rustoleum High-Heat Silver... I'll have to see about using that for my winter wheels...
I like the paint. A bit more "sparkly" than expected but looks great (IMO). Just note; Even working outdoors under low breeze conditions; I could see how much "glitter" had spread around the area I was spraying in. Everything looked pixie dusted.
It will be interesting to see how well the 'High Heat' aspect ,as noted on the can, really holds up after a year or so.
I would recommend not applying any primer that is not high temp before painting. The first time I refinished my S-Lites, I'd applied some really awesome automotive sandable primer that was not necessarily "heat resistant". Although the wheels looked impressive - After several thousand miles of travel, the heat from the wheels/brakes caused the underlying substrate to crack and "spider" which really ruined a once incredibly nice looking restoration.
I like the paint. A bit more "sparkly" than expected but looks great (IMO). Just note; Even working outdoors under low breeze conditions; I could see how much "glitter" had spread around the area I was spraying in. Everything looked pixie dusted.
It will be interesting to see how well the 'High Heat' aspect ,as noted on the can, really holds up after a year or so.
I would recommend not applying any primer that is not high temp before painting. The first time I refinished my S-Lites, I'd applied some really awesome automotive sandable primer that was not necessarily "heat resistant". Although the wheels looked impressive - After several thousand miles of travel, the heat from the wheels/brakes caused the underlying substrate to crack and "spider" which really ruined a once incredibly nice looking restoration.
Should just make a game of this. Based on parking spots, which beach is she on? Today would be Fort Myers, this is my home beach.
I'm always curious why people insist on backing up/pulling in until their tire hits the stop. In 45 years of driving I can't recall ever parking like this.
I'm always curious why people insist on backing up/pulling in until their tire hits the stop. In 45 years of driving I can't recall ever parking like this.
I try to park as far and deep into these spots as I can. One people suck and don’t care to add more dents to your car. Two people tend to drink a beer or two when at the beach and drive home, so again just trying to protect her the best I can. Today I was the only one here, so I could line her up, open the door, and bring her in as close as needed.
I try to park as far and deep into these spots as I can. One people suck and don’t care to add more dents to your car. Two people tend to drink a beer or two when at the beach and drive home, so again just trying to protect her the best I can. Today I was the only one here, so I could line her up, open the door, and bring her in as close as needed.
At least there's a method to your parking, not just random 'pull in until it won't go any farther'.
I have a nice ding on my driver's door, smack in the middle, from some inconsiderate **** in an SUV who opened their door too far one day at my shop. It's a retail plaza so continuous traffic, left work to discover it but of course the culprit was long gone. The frustrating part is that I always park in the end spot and have the car well off center in the space, leaving 3'+ of space before you even get to the line defining the space. People just DGAF anymore.
Just to add -
I've almost never pull nose in to a parking spot. I've always tried to find a parking spot along a curb, furthest away from all other cars - always backing in as close to the curb as possible on the passenger side. However, almost every time, walking back to my Mini; it never ceases to amaze me to find some big a $$ truck towering/parked next to me where there are plenty of other empty spaces to be had.
Not long ago I'd learned a hard lesson by backing my Mini too far into the curb/stop. As a result; bending the crap out of my under battery Skid plate. Bought a new replacement from ECS Tuning shortly thereafter.
I'd also strongly suggest investing in a paintless dent puller.
If you you haven't - Trust me it will save you quite a bit of heartache.
Just to add -
I've almost never pull nose in to a parking spot. I've always tried to find a parking spot along a curb, furthest away from all other cars - always backing in as close to the curb as possible on the passenger side. However, almost every time, walking back to my Mini; it never ceases to amaze me to find some big a $$ truck towering/parked next to me where there are plenty of other empty spaces to be had.
Not long ago I'd learned a hard lesson by backing my Mini too far into the curb/stop. As a result; bending the crap out of my under battery Skid plate. Bought a new replacement from ESC Tuning shortly thereafter.
I'd also strongly suggest investing in a paintless dent puller.
If you you haven't - Trust me it will save you quite a bit of heartache.
I'm not sure that a paintless dent puller will fix the mark left by the a$$hat who dinged my door. It's a fairly sharp ding, and likely paint damage with it.
For illustration - this is how people park here, just snapped this photo. And then the others showing the damage.
Stevie Wonder Special, lines are irrelevant door ding another angle
I'm not sure that a paintless dent puller will fix the mark left by the a$$hat who dinged my door. It's a fairly sharp ding, and likely paint damage with it.
For illustration - this is how people park here, just snapped this photo. And then the others showing the damage.
Step drill bit works great to make a slightly loose hole so the weld can get down in there while leaving the hole just a little too small at the bottom to let the bung fall through....
Once welded in place, I can smooth out the bung end to match the curve of the inner wall.
While in there, I smoothed out the casting roughness and made it almost shiny inside. Should flow well.
Can't wait to have both needles on my dual IAT gauge working again....
Last edited by joe_bfstplk; Aug 31, 2025 at 06:10 PM.
How about a what did someone else do to your MINI. Physically I’m good, but this hurts the brain. The black Caddy came up and over the bridge hot, like 100+ mph. The infinity and myself both sitting at the light, she was one car behind me on the right and she had a truck in front of her. The caddy locked them up when he finally realized the light was red. If he didn’t cut his wheel to the right when he did, I would be in a world of pain right now. Infinity rushed to hospital, she was out, but luckily there was a nurse that saw it happen and stuck around. This is where the caddy hit my bumper. Caddy driver is ok, and his dog was shaken up. What a $h!t show after a 10 hr day, working in this SWFL heat.
Anyone have a black R53 rear bumper? Pretty sure that’s all she will need.
To reiterate, glad you’re OK. And it looks like your car will survive. Too bad about the person in the Infinity. And the person in the Caddy:
I really hope everyone is ok. The infinity driver was on her way to work at the hospital they took her too. The guy in the caddy was way too old to be driving like that, 2 bad knees, 2 hearing aids, and lord knows what else. I know this will probably **** some people off, but after like 65, you should be given a driver’s test every couple of years, and yes I know I’m closing in on that age myself, I wouldn’t mind it.
If you ask me, until proven otherwise EVERYONE should be required to take a driver's test every other year.....
Because what I see out on the road every effing day is a complete disregard for the rules and traffic laws. Failure to signal, improper lane changes, failure to stop, excessive speed, inability to park properly, lack of following distance, passing on the right, and of course that age old annoyance of FAILURE TO KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS.
Some good info, from the National Safety Council:
The number of crashes by driver age varies greatly. Some age groups are over-represented in crashes. Sixteen- to 19-year-olds represent 3.7% of licensed drivers, but account for 8.7% of drivers in all crashes and 6.5% of drivers in fatal crashes. Other age groups are under-represented. For example, drivers 65 to 74 account for 13.5% of licensed drivers, but represent only 7.3% of drivers in all crashes and 8.8% of drivers in fatal crashes.
The overall crash rate per 100,000 licensed drivers steadily decreases as driver age increases. The same trend is generally true regarding the fatal crash rate, with the exception of an increase among 75 and older drivers.
Among the youngest drivers (under 25), the number of licensed drivers steadily increases from age 16 to 24, while the overall crash rate per 100,000 drivers steadily decreases. The fatal crash rate remains relatively flat from age 16 to 19 and decreases starting with 20-year-old drivers. Explore other crash trends by driver age group using the interactive chart.
So to circle back to your suggestion of testing drivers over the age of 65 - that's basically an unwarranted waste of resources. I recall that my grandfather, a lifelong resident of Illinois, was required to take a vision test every year after the age of 75 to maintain his license - but that was over 20 years ago. It would be worthwhile to have drivers over the age of 75 tested, and there probably aren't enough restrictions on limiting the ability of young people to drive.
Part of the problem is (aside from the above) is the lack of alternatives in this country for older people to get around. We spend 50 years of our lives with the luxury of easy mobility. Then, all of a sudden, the specter of that being taken way comes to haunt. I had the “pleasure” of telling my Father (at 90) that he could no longer drive. A very stoic person who preceded to tell me how no one since he was 11 has told him what to do and that wasn’t going to change at that time, by me especially. Then he proceeded to remind me of all my driving failures when I was in the ripe, know-it-all age of 16 to 24. Now I am getting to that age….
Well this has been the kick in the **** needed to install the front and rear dash cam. Rear cam mounted, power taped from the rear cigarette light which I converted to a dual usb charger, cables are joined at the c pillar, working on wrapping them nicely in electrical tape (for the factory look). Will get some pics as I go forward. Didn’t take any while getting that rear cam attached.
Part of the problem is (aside from the above) is the lack of alternatives in this country for older people to get around. We spend 50 years of our lives with the luxury of easy mobility. Then, all of a sudden, the specter of that being taken way comes to haunt. I had the “pleasure” of telling my Father (at 90) that he could no longer drive. A very stoic person who preceded to tell me how no one since he was 11 has told him what to do and that wasn’t going to change at that time, by me especially. Then he proceeded to remind me of all my driving failures when I was in the ripe, know-it-all age of 16 to 24. Now I am getting to that age….
I’m an Excellent driver…
There is a ridiculous lack of public transportation in this country, and I'm not referring to the rural areas. The US has consistently ignored infrastructure improvements in public transportation. It's unpopular, the largest system in operation (NYC) operates at a significant loss, and increasing it consequently doesn't benefit legislators. Los Angeles could alleviate much of its problems with simple rail transit from the surrounding areas in to the city, but it will never happen with the current climate.
How about a what did someone else do to your MINI. Physically I’m good, but this hurts the brain....
This is where the caddy hit my bumper. Caddy driver is ok, and his dog was shaken up. What a $h!t show after a 10 hr day, working in this SWFL heat.
Anyone have a black R53 rear bumper? Pretty sure that’s all she will need.
I too am relieved to hear that you're ok.
I'd lived on the Gulf Coast of FL for 12 years. It is the retirement destination for many elderly retirements.
'had 2wo custom VW's nearly totaled back then when I lived in the St. Pete Beach area.
As far as a black bumper is concerned : Luckly your just a two and a half hour drive(?) to ALLMAG in Tampa.
Glad you are ok. Stay safe.
Last edited by Here2Go; Sep 3, 2025 at 11:59 AM.
Reason: correction: Two and a half hours drive
So found a black r53 bumper for $300, which will be a worse case scenario. Going to file through his insurance once I get ahold of the police report. So dash cams are in. Rear cam Right in the middle Power cable Joined them in the rear, taped it all up From driver seat front cam Front cam from outside Rear cam outside
