Does anyone (including OEM) make a black replacement for the chrome upper grill surround on a 2011 'S"?

 

Plastidip does....

 

Yeah I just plasti dipped the surround on my 08. Went lots of light coats. Has the textured look like the wheel arches. I am very impressed how it turned out.

 

Jcw?

 

No, an mcs.

 

+1 on Plastidip

 

+2 on the plasti dip...did all of my chrome today and the belt line tape.

 

Here you go...

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...rill_trim.html

Just installed mine on my Coupe. Nice! Just wish I could find replacement tail light rings that were gloss black as well...

I considered the plastidip route, but wanted a gloss look, versus matte/flat.

 

Yes here's a pic of the factory grill surround. Since this pic I added the headlight surrounds as well. The tail light surrounds are shipping in October.

 

Same here! I did the plastidipl route on the tail light rings. I had also done the headlamp washer flap (with the gloss black trim ring) but yesterday I pealed off the plastidip and vinyl wrapped them gloss. PIA so I can imagine what it may be like to wrap the rear rings. An option though until some one comes out with them.

 

That wasn't a what do you have that was get the JCW grille surround.

 

I have an "S" but plan on putting the full JCW aero kit on soon, so if I read the info on the Outmotoring web site correctly, their lower grill surround won't work with the JCW aero front piece. I could then get the factory JCW piece. Is that correct? I did not know that factory black pieces were available. I have an accessory catalog around here some place if I can find it. Thanks to all for the help.

 

Anybody thought about something like water printing?

www.h2oprinters.com

I'm thinking about this myself, but not really sure I want to go Carbon Fiber look. Really thinking about going Gloss Black with paint, or buying the ones like above. I'll be wanting to do all the chrome around the car

 

I haven't checked, but IIRC, 2013 models can now be ordered with the black kit versus chrome through the build software. Again, I read somewhere, someone mentioning it, but haven't gone through the configuration process to confirm. It is nice to see MINI listening to their customer base for upgrades/options.

Yep, just confirmed, it's now available...

 

I think I remember it being an option when we ordered our 2011?! I'm probably thinking of some "Chrome package" though, as it's been a year and a half now. So I'm probably wrong, LOL...

Carry on

 

Yeah, I thought of this as well, but figured it might not handle the sun too well. I had this same stuff on a shotgun, and it started to take a beating after a few hunts. The other option I considered was Duracoat, as it seems to hold better due to it's flexible paint properties. Even thought about shooting my rims with Duracoat, as I've seen how the stuff can take a beating on a few firearms over the years (and Duracoat offers a pretty wide array of colors these days...).

The h2oprinters might be perfect for the interior dash though; you could get pretty creative dipping the dash pieces and coating with some doming resin for depth and protection I'd think...

 

I had PD on mine and redid it ever 6 months (as I do all my PD). I ended up breaking most of the clips on the upper part from taking it on and off a couple of times. I just bought the OEM surround for about $80 from my dealer...much easier.

 

Hmm, interesting! I'll talk with the guy tomorrow and see what he says about this. Done a lot of guns now, so I'll see what the customers think, those that have used the ones they've had dipped so far. This stuff definitely works well for interior pieces! He's had success with engine dress up pieces, even valve covers. I'm thinking of doing the race/track plastics on my bike next. Says it should hold up to abuse & rock chips pretty well, compared to paint at least (think belly pan, which gets the brunt of abuse).