I want to extend my sport stripes down the bumpers of my Mini. I tried and failed doing it myself. I end up with wrinkles due to the curve of the bumper. Can anyone recommend a place in/around Monmouth County? Thanks!

 

dude....take it to a dealer. After all they put the hood stripes on, they wont turn down more money and its a profi. job

 

I asked my Mini Dealer to do it when I got the car - they said they don't do that kind of work.

 

that means they dont have contracts with a vinyl installer. consider yourself lucky.

Usually when the dealer "installs" vinyl, they sub it out to someone else, then add a fee in their so that the vinyl dude and them make money. that means you pay too much.


If you want to give it another go, try using a heat gun or blow dryer.. it makes it waaay easier.

 

Did you just use a heat gun when you did yours, or did you get it done professionally?

 

i actually used a blow dryer plus the wet method.

the wet method is simply getting a spray bottle full of water and some soap. just spray where you want to attach the vinyl so that you can shift it around. once you have it where you want it, start squeezing the water from under the vinyl.

to get it around the bumpers, i lined them up using the wet method, then i would lock down the upper half by squeegeeing the water from under it... then i would work the loose part of the stripes to fit around the curve of the bumper.

i eventually purchased a heat gun, 10 bucks at harbour frieght because im doing some more vinyl stuff for the chrome blackout.

 

GH, as the local Vinyl Guru - maybe you'll put together a short "howto apply vinyl" please ?

I got the heat gun, will try to wrap the door handles this weekend...

 

haha, im definitely not a guru at this stuff...

the door handles, gas cap, and mirror covers were fairly difficult and took me several tries until i was satisfied. and they still arent perfect.

I didnt take the door handles off so it was difficult working the vinyl around the complex curves.

I inteded to just cover them in the vinyl until i could save up enough for al the CF goodies AC has. I already have the side markers coming in but its taking soooooo long!!

Anyway, make sure you have some VERY VERY sharp knives. I currently use the X-Acto #16 blade, it seems to work well but i plan on trying out various blade designs to figure out which one works the best.

if you have any more question i can try to help you the best i can!!

good luck!

 

If you can wait till early October, Mike (Aesthetic Creations) is going to be doing an event for DCMM.

 

Thanks for the advice ghosthound, I got them on this weekend with a heat gun an a lot of patience: