Thanks, e2o ! That G2 kit mentioned in that thread is the one I bought. I was hesitant to use it as I heard caliper paint doesn't last long. But since people have had good luck even after a couple years, I'll go ahead and use it.

 

I haven't had any issues after 3 weeks

 

Well, then... I have NOTHING to worry about !!

 

I've heard of no problems with the G2 kit - I'm several months in and it's like new. I think what folks have had issues with are the kits you get in the auto parts stores - duplicolor and the like. Which IIRC are NOT the two-part epoxy type paint like the G2... So good luck with yours - I suspect it will be great!

See my blog if you want the play-by-play...

 

Vinyl Styles has them.

 

Missed this post earlier, Blimey. Nice write-up... THANKS !

Say, I don't own jack stands. I was planning on jacking one wheel at a time. Think I can get this job done in less than a week ?

 

^ it's worth getting some cheap jack stands. You can use them for other projects and they're great for this one: if you start on one wheel, as you work around the car, by the time you finish the first coat on the last wheel, the first wheel will be almost ready for the second coat -- so you can do the whole thing quickly and efficiently

 

Yeah, you're right, e2o. I'm sure jack stands needed for a MINI are not too expensive and I'll use them for some other jobs, too, I'm sure.

I'll have to check out some of these tool catalogs I have stashed away.

 

If you have a Northern Tool in your area, they have nice cheap 2-ton stands for like $15 a pair... you don't need super heavy duty ones for the MINI. If you want to spend more, the flat bottom ones they have are nice, too (especially if you might need to use them on asphalt sometime).

And if you don't have a jack, I highly recommend this one from Harbor Freight (who also has similar jack stands - though I like the NT ones with the safety chains better). Many NAMers have these. Makes it a breeze to put the car up and down - which I do A LOT...

 

Well... you're being useful in all kinds of ways today, Blimey !!

Thanks... and yeah, I may use them in the driveway so I might invest in those flat-bottomed (why does a song from Queen pop in my head as I type that?) jack stands.


Thanks !

 

My vote is for black grill as an easy, inexpensive mod that makes a big difference. Personally I don't think the body colored grill does well in any of the lighter colors -- Pepper White, Pure Silver, Liquid Yellow, or even Chili Red. I don't like the chrome grill either but that is a matter of whether you like chrome.

I got the replacement OEM black grills for just over $60. I put them on in the first hour after the car arrived home, and my wife has never even seen our car with the original chrome grills. Other options are the black aero grill for slightly more, or you can black out the original grill for dirt cheap using paint or vinyl tape.

 

Here's some pics of my calipers that the DH painted in 99 degree temps Saturday. I think he did a rather excellent job. Sorry, he didn't get a pic of the entire car with the painted calipers yet. I'll try to get one up soon.

 

Ewwwwwwwwwwwww, sweet !!!

Can't wait to do mine. But, I am going to wait. Why ? Baby needs a new set of tires within the next couple months. I'll let the tire shop work to get the rims off the MINI and then I'll do it the next weekend before they get fused back onto the hubs again.

And hey... what are those 4 x 4's doing underneath the frame of the car ? Are those homemade jack stands ?

 

What ever make your Mini dissappear fastest...

 

Note that, if you're gonna do G2 paint - there is a pretty narrow temperature range to apply that stuff - see my blog or the G2 website for details.

 

Yeah, according to the directions, it should be between 56 and 70 degrees when you use the G2 paint.

In a month or so, I should be in good shape.

Thanks again, Blimey. You're the guru of caliper painting !

 

The jack stands were on the back and 4X4's on front.

[quote=CR&PW&JB;1713659]Yeah, according to the directions, it should be between 56 and 70 degrees when you use the G2 paint.
/quote]

What's G2 paint? DH purchased Chili Red acrylic enamel professional paint. He mixed it with harden so that it will stay on there for a good long time. Looks like a professonal job for sure, and will last longer than the Mini's paint job with the thin layer of clear coat it had in a few spots.

 

Does putting in an audible chirp when you lock the doors count as an exterior mod (you are outside the car afterall when you press the lock button on your key to make the car chirp) ?

 

Yes, the chirp counts. Excellent mod!

I miss the chirp when locking my Mini. It's on everything else I own.

 

How did you accomplish this??

 

Taped a male gerbil inside the door panel so when the lock wire moves it bangs him in the... oh, nevermind...

No gerbils or MINIs were harmed in the making of this lame joke.

 

Speaking of Vinyl Styles, they also make lipstick for 05 and 06 MINIs. Does anyone know if 05/06 grille trim can be fit onto an 02-04?

 

about the audible chirp when you lock the doors, for those of us without the OEM alarm.....real easy ...I did a search in the Electrical forum here for: 'audible tone'.....the originator of the thread gives good directions on what wire to look for...it uses the wire that goes to the actuator for the fuel filler door....you buy a buzzer at Radio Shack for like $11....I attached the buzzer using sticky velcro so no drilliing...you can follow my posts on the thread as I stumble along, but it ended up being amazingly easy....it sounds a lil wierd but it is distinctive and my wife likes it, so it passes the test

here is the thread info:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=69885

 

I just put some Lamix-x tint on my headlamps, like the overall effect, it makes it a little meaner looking. It's the lighter shade of Lamin-X, they have a darker one called smoke. As far as night time goes I don't yet, just put it on Friday night, and really only use the car on the weekends for rallies, group runs and Sunday drives. Can't remember the last time I even had the headlights on.

 

I just Lamin-X'd my side turn signals in Smoke. Took a couple of minutes and really changes the looks.