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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.
I have been looking at a blue MCS that has a silver roof and a very large Vee shaped silver hood stripe(s) that was applied at the factory. The silver hood stripes also cover and include a silver colored hood scoop. My first question is, I know with care, the large silver hood stripes can be peeled off....do you think the hood scoop has a silver decal or was it probably painted silver like the roof. And, secondly, can someone share the brand of paint used by Mini? I mean, like PPG or Basf or ?? Thanks for any info!
I don't know who manufactures the paint used at the Oxford factory, but BMW actually sell OEM paint supplies called ColorSystem to shops and dealers: http://bmwwholesaleconnect.com/Conte...em_2015_16.pdf. That's the BMW catalog, but MINI touchup paint is also labeled "ColorSystem" and it should be available in MINI colors as well.
In the end, a perfect match would require some adjustment (even with the correct color code) to match the fading and discoloration on the hood. A good shop can do this and it wouldn't matter which brand of paint they use.
The hood scoop is most likely painted silver and not wrapped or a decal, so you would have to most likely repaint it, or wrap it in a different color vinyl, or even plasti-dip it if you wanted to change the color.
I've done some automotive painting, and have owned MiNis since 2002 ... a few comments.
1. Knowing the year MINI you are looking at would help a lot, followed by the body color. Some colors experience color fade MUCH worse than others. Metallic reds are the worst followed closely by metallic greens.
2. MINI/BMW does not make their own paint and I think you know that. There is no assurance that a complete model year even has paint from the same paint manufacturer. It is not uncommon for one model year of a car to end up with multiple formulas for the same 'color' (alto I've not run into this on a MINI). With the color code in hand you can go to ANY decent automotive paint store and get perfectly matched paint ... and BTW just cuz it is PPG or Sherwin Williams doesn't mean much. I use S-W pretty much exclusively. At the auto paint store S-W has 2 different grades of paint (speaking just of the color part btw .. for most colors) and the price for the good versus the other is double or more .... and that's b4 we discuss clear coats where S-W has several grades and there are third parties as well (I prefer a third party product myself) .... long wat to say don't sweat the manufacturer name of the paint.
3. In the past paint colors were mixed by hand and skill was involved. Today a number is punched into a computer and a machine mixes the paint. In GOOD paint stores if fade is a possibility they take a lazer gun to the car and shoot the color and the computer finds the best match .... just like they can do for your wall paint at home despots. (this is where your color comes to play ... how much fade to expect if you take the tape off)
4. I'd be surprized to see a completely 'wrapped' hood scoop (pretty complicated wrap for the factory); but would also be surprized to see MINI match a painted scoop with a tape stripe .... only inspection (and pictures) will solve this dilemma. (btw the silver stripes on my 15 R59 already look poor ... they did not hold up well and I'm gonna discuss war'ty replacement on my next visit ... or just take 'em off)
5. Final comment .... after working with auto paint for a while the LAST place I'd buy touch-up paint from would be the dealer!!!!! You get GLOP or worse ...... I'd expect the same for any bulk paint ....... I get my t/up from http://www.automotivetouchup.com/
and buff up with http://www.langka.com/
after applying with a very fine (000 or better) artist brush
Thank you very much for the education on the paint Capt_bj. The car I was referring to is an '06 that is Space Blue. I think the space blue color is beautiful, the large silver hood stripe....not so much. I am still searching for the right car for me and the space blue MCS is one that I really like. Thanks again!
From: Portland, OR *currently in a temporary email address
Yup, that's a factory checkmate!!! Super cool and pretty rare! The triangular a-panels on the sides should have silver checkered vinyl on it, like this.
I was just thinking to myself earlier today about how cool it would be to own a Checkmate edition MINI...I definitely vote yes!
Thank you for your info Sarom058. The Mini that I was refering to did not have the checkered decals on the side, maybe someone removed them for some reason. In any event, I did not buy that car but did buy an '06 MCS that is a solid Space Blue. I pick it up on 10/24 and I am like a little kid with excitement! Already spent a small fortune on new parts to replace. Thanks again!
From: Portland, OR *currently in a temporary email address
LY Masterrace!!!
Congrats on the new purchase!! Out of curiosity, what parts did you get?
I highly recommend learning to wrench on your own car...it saved me about $5k this summer.
Don't be shy, if you run into any problems, come here first!! We're always happy to offer advice and point you in the direction of some applicable DIY's.
Last edited by sarom058; Oct 23, 2016 at 10:47 AM.
I am still rounding up parts, but so far have a sc 15% pulley kit, an ATI Super Damper, new belt tensioner, new idler pulley, new belt, colder plugs, crankshaft seal, and crankshaft position sensor o'ring. Plus motor oil, gear oil, and sc oil. I will also replace the water pump and thermostat when I service the SC. More to come I am sure.
Thank you for your info Sarom058. The Mini that I was refering to did not have the checkered decals on the side, maybe someone removed them for some reason. In any event, I did not buy that car but did buy an '06 MCS that is a solid Space Blue. I pick it up on 10/24 and I am like a little kid with excitement! Already spent a small fortune on new parts to replace. Thanks again!
