I've been working on blacking out the chrome... have done the beltline, headlight and taillight bezels (thanks to Vinyl Styles), grille surrounds replaced, and ordered black out badges.. Looking for some advice on what to do next... Lamin-X lights? Tint the windows? H&R springs are on back order. Originally had black mirror caps, went to chrome. Going for the Audi S4 look, no chrome except on the mirror caps for a little 'pop'. Now not so sure.

 

Needs more chrome.

Hey... I'm 46 years old and OLD SCHOOL. I like some chrome bling. You youngsters like to get rid of it. :impatient

But hey, that's a hot looking MINI no matter what you do to it.

 

Looks good, I guess. I'm with CR&PW&JB, I like the chrome. Not TONS (I'm not gonna get chrome 20s on my MINI or anything) but I think that all the chrome trim on the MINI looks awesome.

I do think that you should ditch the chrome mirrors though if you're gonna black out the rest. They look a little out of place if you ask me.

 

Looks great!

Mind if I use those pics for the site?

 

I think it looks great!!! IMHO though, that's a lot of work to then turn the mirrors chrome, but, that why it is YOUR car, you're opinion is the only one that matters....

wish mine was blacked out

Oh ya, next thing.... TINT

 

i keep going back and forth on buying the black grill peices. almost pulled the trigger today then changed my mind.

i agree with TWON the next thing you need to do is tint the windows. that was the first thing i did when i got my MINI. in fact i got them tinted 30 minutes after i pick it up.

 

Lagston - feel free to use the pics, it'd be an honor! I can email you some other angles if you like, let me know.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Will pop on the black caps this weekend and see what you guys think. Oh... My blue led kit came from fastmini today. Can't wait to install it.

As for tints any suggestions on brand, color, and % tints?

 

true your opinion rules all when its your baby lol but i love the chrome caps ive actually blacked out the majority of my chrome and now im reverting it all back because i think the chrome actually looks nice now ...not sure wht triggered this but i think the polished lip on my rims needs some other chrome to keep it company so besides my heads and tails everything else is going back to chrome ....coincidentally the chrome caps are inspired by my love for audis lol so god call on the s4 look lol

 

i have the Blue LED lights in my MINI and love the way it looks. that was the second thing i added to my MINI.

i have the same color MINI as you and i have 20% tint, it's not legal but i like it. you can see pictures in my gallary.

 

Looks great! Thanks for posting about where you got your blackout stuff from! I have been wanting to do my headlight and tail light rings since I got the MINI, now I know where to get it done! Then all that will be left to black out will be the gas cap and door handles...woo hoo!!!

 

I recommend 20% tint on all the windows (except windshield). 35% (legal limit in most places) is too light. From what I've been told and read, no-one is hassled for the darker tint, unless they "cop" an attitude. Recommendation if you have over-limit tint: If you are stopped, before the cop approaches, lower both front windows fully.

 

Oooo, careful with that . Although I agree 20% is nice, I have 35% (legal is 70% here in CA on the fronts). I was pulled over specifically for the windows only. So, watch out if your driving through Walnut Creek, CA cause that guy on the motorcycle is a grouch

My main reasoning for tinting all was to reduce heat transfer... ok, and it looks good too So my research when I had it done was for that. I went with Carbon tint because it was a relatively inexpensive type in comparison, life time guarantee and the reduction of heat transfer was among the highest. I am also able to see out fairly well at night which was a concern of mine, and I even ended up going with 5% on the back three.

 

Okay, so at least one was pulled over for tint. Still, it's very low risk, again, based on what I've read here in NAM, and also witnessed on the road.

 

Here in Cleveland they are pretty strict about Tints from what I've seen. We're at 50% for the fronts to be legal, nothing on the windshield, and no restriction on the rears...

Has anyone done a color tint, blue car blue shaded tint?

 

I'm not really a fan of colored tints. To me they look cheap, but to each their own. I really like the chrome blackout though. Your car is looking great.

 

Is there any prepping for the chrome before blacking it out? I plan on rubbing it down with alcohol just to clean it. Do you need to sand it at all? I bought the Wurth black spray paint for chrome and plastics.

Also any suggestions for a clear coat spray? Sorry for all the questions.

 

where can i get the black trim for my headlight and tail lgiht for my r53
i have heard of a web site (operates by a member of NAM) ,but i forgot it....if anyone know ,please give me a hand to it....

 

his name on this forum is Lagston. Google his company vinyl styles for the URL to his site

 

http://www.lylesvinylstyles.com-a.googlepages.com/