Astro Black Registry
A birdbomb on my AB left a permanent stain on my bonnet that requires compounding to remove. Wax nor polish didn't even touch it. Etched right into the clearcoat. 
If you see a bird land one on your car, remove it ASAP. That stuff has nasty acids in it and will do permanent things to your finish.
I get angry at MINI paint sometimes. I don't have these issues with other makes.
Keep your cars freshly waxed!! It makes a difference and they NEED the protection.
If you see a bird land one on your car, remove it ASAP. That stuff has nasty acids in it and will do permanent things to your finish.
I get angry at MINI paint sometimes. I don't have these issues with other makes.
Keep your cars freshly waxed!! It makes a difference and they NEED the protection.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Newtown, PA
A birdbomb on my AB left a permanent stain on my bonnet that requires compounding to remove. Wax nor polish didn't even touch it. Etched right into the clearcoat.
If you see a bird land one on your car, remove it ASAP. That stuff has nasty acids in it and will do permanent things to your finish.
I get angry at MINI paint sometimes. I don't have these issues with other makes.
Keep your cars freshly waxed!! It makes a difference and they NEED the protection.
If you see a bird land one on your car, remove it ASAP. That stuff has nasty acids in it and will do permanent things to your finish.
I get angry at MINI paint sometimes. I don't have these issues with other makes.
Keep your cars freshly waxed!! It makes a difference and they NEED the protection.
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 242
Likes: 4
Newbie Here...Just Ordered My Astro Black MCS Two Days Ago!
Hello, Everyone.
Wellllllll....I've taken the plunge. I've got to admit to being really nervous about putting a deposit on my MINI. Why? Because the car I have now is nearly 21 years old and I'm the original owner. *laughs* It's been awhile since I've done this! EVERYTHING has changed: price (!), options, etc. Browsing this thread has made me feel a bit better, as all of your "babies" are just gorgeous. I just got my order tracking number and it says I ordered a Sparkling Silver MCS (!) but my MA says that's okay and it happens until the computer can "catch up" and correct the color. He assures me that it WILL be black.
Anyway, I just wanted to thank you all for the "graphics therapy". Looking at your photos has calmed me. Somewhat.
Wellllllll....I've taken the plunge. I've got to admit to being really nervous about putting a deposit on my MINI. Why? Because the car I have now is nearly 21 years old and I'm the original owner. *laughs* It's been awhile since I've done this! EVERYTHING has changed: price (!), options, etc. Browsing this thread has made me feel a bit better, as all of your "babies" are just gorgeous. I just got my order tracking number and it says I ordered a Sparkling Silver MCS (!) but my MA says that's okay and it happens until the computer can "catch up" and correct the color. He assures me that it WILL be black.
Anyway, I just wanted to thank you all for the "graphics therapy". Looking at your photos has calmed me. Somewhat.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Newtown, PA
Hello, Everyone.
Wellllllll....I've taken the plunge. I've got to admit to being really nervous about putting a deposit on my MINI. Why? Because the car I have now is nearly 21 years old and I'm the original owner. *laughs* It's been awhile since I've done this! EVERYTHING has changed: price (!), options, etc. Browsing this thread has made me feel a bit better, as all of your "babies" are just gorgeous. I just got my order tracking number and it says I ordered a Sparkling Silver MCS (!) but my MA says that's okay and it happens until the computer can "catch up" and correct the color. He assures me that it WILL be black.
Anyway, I just wanted to thank you all for the "graphics therapy". Looking at your photos has calmed me. Somewhat.
Wellllllll....I've taken the plunge. I've got to admit to being really nervous about putting a deposit on my MINI. Why? Because the car I have now is nearly 21 years old and I'm the original owner. *laughs* It's been awhile since I've done this! EVERYTHING has changed: price (!), options, etc. Browsing this thread has made me feel a bit better, as all of your "babies" are just gorgeous. I just got my order tracking number and it says I ordered a Sparkling Silver MCS (!) but my MA says that's okay and it happens until the computer can "catch up" and correct the color. He assures me that it WILL be black.
Anyway, I just wanted to thank you all for the "graphics therapy". Looking at your photos has calmed me. Somewhat.
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 242
Likes: 4
^ Thanks, BD, for both the welcome and the kind comments! I really appreciate both and will try to live vicariously through the AB owners here until mine arrives. At least I've got a couple of months to get used to the idea. *laughs* I'm keeping my nearly 21 year old Nissan, as it's worth MUCH more to me than the book value implies. The MINI will be a nice addition, I'm sure. It just all seems very surreal at this point.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Omaha
Hello, Everyone.
Wellllllll....I've taken the plunge. I've got to admit to being really nervous about putting a deposit on my MINI. Why? Because the car I have now is nearly 21 years old and I'm the original owner. *laughs* It's been awhile since I've done this! EVERYTHING has changed: price (!), options, etc. Browsing this thread has made me feel a bit better, as all of your "babies" are just gorgeous. I just got my order tracking number and it says I ordered a Sparkling Silver MCS (!) but my MA says that's okay and it happens until the computer can "catch up" and correct the color. He assures me that it WILL be black.
Anyway, I just wanted to thank you all for the "graphics therapy". Looking at your photos has calmed me. Somewhat.
Wellllllll....I've taken the plunge. I've got to admit to being really nervous about putting a deposit on my MINI. Why? Because the car I have now is nearly 21 years old and I'm the original owner. *laughs* It's been awhile since I've done this! EVERYTHING has changed: price (!), options, etc. Browsing this thread has made me feel a bit better, as all of your "babies" are just gorgeous. I just got my order tracking number and it says I ordered a Sparkling Silver MCS (!) but my MA says that's okay and it happens until the computer can "catch up" and correct the color. He assures me that it WILL be black.
Anyway, I just wanted to thank you all for the "graphics therapy". Looking at your photos has calmed me. Somewhat.
Made my day! 
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 242
Likes: 4
^ CGirl,
Your baby is GORGEOUS! Thanks for the kind words of welcome. I'm really enjoying the photos of your MINI. I hope someday I can share some with everyone here.
CleanSC:
I found your post very interesting. When I put a deposit on my MINI last week, my MA told me about the MINI paint protection system (they also apply water and stain protectant to the interior as well as part of the package) that's offered by the dealer, not by MINI. At first, I wondered if it was all hooey, but he said that MINI paint is water based and more environmentally friendly and therefore it's only the clear coat that protects it. He said that bird doo, leaves, etc. can make little spots that are actually opaque areas on the clear coat. The optional paint protection applies a coating to the car when it's new, then reapplies it annually for 5 years. If there is any spotting during this time, they will repaint the area. My MA said that he himself had this happen to his preowned MINI which had no protective coating. He had it repainted and had the coating applied to his car, he said.
Anyway...just thought I'd pass that along, for what it's worth.
Thanks again for the welcome, everyone!
Your baby is GORGEOUS! Thanks for the kind words of welcome. I'm really enjoying the photos of your MINI. I hope someday I can share some with everyone here.
CleanSC:
If you see a bird land one on your car, remove it ASAP. That stuff has nasty acids in it and will do permanent things to your finish.
I get angry at MINI paint sometimes. I don't have these issues with other makes.
Keep your cars freshly waxed!! It makes a difference and they NEED the protection.
I get angry at MINI paint sometimes. I don't have these issues with other makes.
Keep your cars freshly waxed!! It makes a difference and they NEED the protection.
Anyway...just thought I'd pass that along, for what it's worth.
Thanks again for the welcome, everyone!
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
When I put a deposit on my MINI last week, my MA told me about the MINI paint protection system (they also apply water and stain protectant to the interior as well as part of the package) that's offered by the dealer, not by MINI. At first, I wondered if it was all hooey, but he said that MINI paint is water based and more environmentally friendly and therefore it's only the clear coat that protects it. He said that bird doo, leaves, etc. can make little spots that are actually opaque areas on the clear coat. The optional paint protection applies a coating to the car when it's new, then reapplies it annually for 5 years. If there is any spotting during this time, they will repaint the area. My MA said that he himself had this happen to his preowned MINI which had no protective coating. He had it repainted and had the coating applied to his car, he said.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
If you just put in your order with the deposit, you can call and change your mind. Tell him, you thought about it and would like to change some items in your order - and that would be it. You haven't taken delivery of the car yet, so unless you signed an agreement to pay for it, it should be no problem.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Omaha
^ CGirl,
Your baby is GORGEOUS! Thanks for the kind words of welcome. I'm really enjoying the photos of your MINI. I hope someday I can share some with everyone here.
[B]CleanSC:
I found your post very interesting. When I put a deposit on my MINI last week, my MA told me about the MINI paint protection system (they also apply water and stain protectant to the interior as well as part of the package) that's offered by the dealer, not by MINI. At first, I wondered if it was all hooey, but he said that MINI paint is water based and more environmentally friendly and therefore it's only the clear coat that protects it. He said that bird doo, leaves, etc. can make little spots that are actually opaque areas on the clear coat. The optional paint protection applies a coating to the car when it's new, then reapplies it annually for 5 years. If there is any spotting during this time, they will repaint the area. My MA said that he himself had this happen to his preowned MINI which had no protective coating. He had it repainted and had the coating applied to his car, he said.
Anyway...just thought I'd pass that along, for what it's worth.
Thanks again for the welcome, everyone!
Your baby is GORGEOUS! Thanks for the kind words of welcome. I'm really enjoying the photos of your MINI. I hope someday I can share some with everyone here.
[B]CleanSC:
I found your post very interesting. When I put a deposit on my MINI last week, my MA told me about the MINI paint protection system (they also apply water and stain protectant to the interior as well as part of the package) that's offered by the dealer, not by MINI. At first, I wondered if it was all hooey, but he said that MINI paint is water based and more environmentally friendly and therefore it's only the clear coat that protects it. He said that bird doo, leaves, etc. can make little spots that are actually opaque areas on the clear coat. The optional paint protection applies a coating to the car when it's new, then reapplies it annually for 5 years. If there is any spotting during this time, they will repaint the area. My MA said that he himself had this happen to his preowned MINI which had no protective coating. He had it repainted and had the coating applied to his car, he said.
Anyway...just thought I'd pass that along, for what it's worth.
Thanks again for the welcome, everyone!
In fact, treatment or not, you need to be waxing the car so if you can get out of it, do it. Those paint protection systems are basically just ways to inflate dealer profit as much as possible.
Besides, AB is pretty phenomenal after a fresh wax.
You will fall in love all over again.
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 242
Likes: 4
Thanks for the feedback, Everyone.
I may just stay with the order the way it is...since it seems to cover any paint damage at all for 5 years. That might be worth it by itself. (?) *shrug*
I also look forward to posting photos! *laughs!* I suppose it'll be in about two months or so.
I may just stay with the order the way it is...since it seems to cover any paint damage at all for 5 years. That might be worth it by itself. (?) *shrug*
I also look forward to posting photos! *laughs!* I suppose it'll be in about two months or so.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Omaha
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Omaha
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Mission, KS
Hey guys. I should be getting my first MINI next week. all these posts about the paint job have me worried! I don't have a garage and am really lazy, so waxing every 3 months probably won't be happening. I hope the 09 models have better paint...
