Can someone do a quick PS job on the downtubes, cup holder and shifter surround and return them to silver? I'm just curious what it would look like with just the horizontal section being woodgrain.

I hope that doesn't void your airbag warranty as you disassembled the airbag cover and altered the stock parts.

 

>>Can someone do a quick PS job on the downtubes, cup holder and shifter surround and return them to silver? I'm just curious what it would look like with just the horizontal section being woodgrain.

Here is a picture of the MINI wood dash with silver tubes.


Thanks to all for your comments. And thanks to those who led the way with their painted Dash/door panels.

 

>>Here is a picture of the MINI wood dash with silver tubes.
>> Regardless, very cool! Enjoy!

 

I like that burled walnut as it is a little darker and has the nice curlies. The matching shift **** is a nice touch.

 

There are many finishes that can be done. If you have a wood sample that helps. If you have a **** and want to match it then that can work too.

Some finishes are darker while others are medium to lighter.

Traditionally darker finishes are used on luxury cars. Koa is a traditional wood finish for Hawaii but others are also excellent. Take your pick.

 

In the late '80s a popular Hawaii option on Corvettes was the koa kit. This was solid koa wood applied on top of the dash and center console.

Did you ever look at the smoked wood that is used in the XJR? It is a greyish burled wood that is just beautiful. The 1997 40th anniversary Mercedes SL320 had a beautiful blue tinted burled walnut.


_________________

 

Wow....in my dreams...

I have the same interior color scheme you had, and I have wanted wood, but couldn't visualize it...

I love what you did, and even more how creative you were to figure out a good way to get it done! A very reasonable mod, I'd say...and it looks great! Definitely a warm Hawaiian(sp?) wood--wish I could see the night pics!

Motor On, Minihune, you're working it!

 

Minihune - Did you realize if you got extra dash parts, down tubes... you could change your MCS around whenever you felt like it?

 

>>Minihune - Did you realize if you got extra dash parts, down tubes... you could change your MCS around whenever you felt like it?

Yes, and definitely.
The parts are not that expensive for the stock ones and I can always paint them since they are only plastic.
The labor for me is about one hour to swap out the parts.

I doubt I would do it though as I really like what I have. Just like would I change my Euro parcel shelf for the standard knee bolster? Nope.

With all the swapping it is possible to break tabs and to create more give in the parts resulting in more rattles and squeaks. Right now everything is quite good.

Thanks for your idea.

 

Minihune,

I somehow missed this post originally but heard several people talking about your dash last night at the Tech Night at Prestige MINI so I had to check it out.

That is an amazing job, especially for such a wonderful price. You are lucky to have access to such an artist. Any thoughts about doing the door pulls? Not the whole oval piece but just the little Y-shaped door pulls? I think that would look nice in the wood finish as well.

VERY NICE! Enjoy! :smile:

 

when i clicked on this thread i had already made up my mind that i woodn't like it
but very nice job, very kool

 

>>That is an amazing job, especially for such a wonderful price. You are lucky to have access to such an artist. Any thoughts about doing the door pulls? Not the whole oval piece but just the little Y-shaped door pulls? I think that would look nice in the wood finish as well.

Robyn,
You should take credit for showing us how nice a dash can be with a little paint in the right places. Your dash pictures are an inspiration for us and may spark some creativity that help to make more and more MINIs unique. Thanks.

Changing the Y-shaped door pulls is an option but removing those pieces and working with the ovals is easier said than done or I would have done it already. I think "sugar" has shown us what it might take for door upgrades.

The other thing is "how much is too much". I only touched the dash and left the doors completely stock. I could have done much less. Or I could do more. That is something you have to look at and decide what you can live with.

Thanks for your comments.

 

Completely awesome!

 

Minihune,

Thanks very much for the full-sized photos you sent me. This is one AMAZING job. I wish that MINI had a really good wood finish available. But the english oak just isn't all that interesting to me. Pleaes feel free to email me some more recent shots - I bet that you get compliments on your ride daily!

I'm waiting (impatiently) on my 2008 MCS Pure Silver w/ brushed metal dash (foot tapping).

Thanks again!

Jeff

 

I am still impressed with the work that Minihune had done from when I first saw it almost four years ago. Hmmm . . . what can I do to my interior?

 

Wow, great seeing this thread from four years ago again.

Also, great seeing brother John post too!

 

Time flys.

Four years and the dash is going strong. The clear coat is holding up with minimal care, just wipe it down now and then.

No fading and few scratches if any.

Flaws are painted into the finish so anything that happens blends right in.

I get regular PMs about the dash. Many are still interested.

Can't imagine my MINI without it.

Once at autocross another driver saw the interior and said "a car this nice should not be going as fast as it does".

 

I gotta get my MINI okole back into circulation. Been so busy at home and work I hardly go out to play anymore.

The wife and I are heading to Maui next month on the Superferry and the MINI is going too. I have been dieing to do a Haleakala and Hana run!

 

The ROAD TO HANA! HALEAKALA! Oh yeah that was awesome. Even in my little rental pontiac sunbird convertible those were Amazing drives.

And we came back from Hana around the back side of the island on the "secondary paved road". Don't worry - I checked w/ the local police first to see if it would be dry enough to risk it. Also a great drive but sometimes a bit of a white knuckler - talk about DARK at night. And then after wrapping around to the other side, people were like "watch out for the cows". Cows, we thought? Oh yeah - big ones sure enough. Looking down at us as we drove past at a crawl. Maui is so awesome.

 

Wow! Trenton, NJ. to Hana? Brother you came a LONG way for a drive! Maui and the Big Island have some of the best scenic drives in the State.

I might take a shot at the road past Hana around through Kaupo. I hope I have enough clearance. Last time I drove through there was back in 1990 and I had a rental Lincoln Town Car land yacht!

 

Do the drives early when traffic is less.

Take some pictures and start a new thread.

Sunrise on Haleakala is worth the trouble.


Now back to topic.