Recently I had blacked out my head light rings, grill surround, and tail lights. I followed instructions meant for a different version of Mini, and ended up breaking a couple tabs - but in the end everything worked out.

So I'd like to take this opportunity to provide a comprehensive DIY for any members interested in taking on this project with the same vehicle. Many members have already completed this project on their own and they look fantastic, so please provide help tips for the process!

• Small Phillips head screwdriver
• Small flathead screwdriver
• Needle nose pliers

DIY BLACKOUT HL & TL RINGS; GRILL SURROUND R56S
Step 1: Headlight Rings

• Open bonnet
• Place small flathead screwdriver between silver & black tab
• Gently pry (push) away from you, towards the headlight hole
• The chrome piece should literally pop off
• Do not morph silver plastic tab

Step 2: Grill Surround
Top Grill

• Remove 4 screws with Phillips head screwdriver
• Use needle nose pliers to squeeze tip and gently push up & pull at same time
• Repeat for rest
• Try not to pull off/break tabs when pulling grill, use pliers wisely

Note* Use pliers to push more than squeezing, and push more than pulling





Bottom Grill

• Use flat head screwdriver & pry out black screws from black honeycomb grill for more work space
• While slightly pushing down, pull black grill out of its fitment, you can see its slots
• If you’ve taken the whole grill off, you may gently pry or pull off the grill surround, this should ‘pop’ off as well.
• The grill surround may be attached with a bit of glue, so apply pressure if needed

Step 3: Tail light Rings

1. Take the very same flathead screwdriver and go between the tail light (lens) and ring – from the inside.
2. Locate the tabs (3 on top) and gently pry away from you, do the same around
3. This piece should pop off as well.
4. Do the top first then push downward to take ring out of its place

Blackout:
After wiping the chrome down with a paper towel and Windex, I laid the rings over newspapers and sprayed it with 2-3 coats of Plasti-Dip. You can research this aerosol at its website. I purchased it from The Home Depot in the spray paint aisle for $5.22. I used 2 full cans of it.
I did the same for the tail lights.

The grill surrounds may be tricky, I used some chopsticks and stuck them in my lawn like wooden stakes. Then I rested the grill surrounds on them so I can spray them from all angles. 2-3 Coats every 20-30 minutes. Do it on a windless day, wind makes the spray difficult to apply evenly.

 

Look great!

 

great write up.

thanks.

 

well done! thanks for sharing

 

I really want to do this!
BUT, A. I don't think my wife will support my desire to do so.
and B. I don't think Im that brave.

Looks great! Thanks for the write up.

Let us know how it holds!

 

great write up. i painted my headlight rings and im waiting for them to dry. is it difficult or is there a trick to putting them back on? i havent tried to put them on yet but just thought id ask just in case
thanks

 

all of your comments are much appreciated! tpmini: it's real simple and quite straightforward, when you feel the time is right go for it. The Plasti-Dip peels right off (so I've heard - I haven't tried).

CaMiniMe: everything literally snaps right back on. It may sound that you have snapped something 'off' but the parts just pops in. The bottom grill surround may be a little tricky, a little force and the right angle will do just fine.

Be patient, and things will turn out brilliant.

Tom

 

Also if you folks get a chance, take a snapshot and share your results!

 

Nice write up! I painted my trim pieces with body match paint from Minspeed. All the black parts, the gas cap, door handles and side repeaters are done in satin vinyl wrap form Vinylstyles.

 

Good write up. I was thinking of just buying the grill trim (iirc it was only like $60), but maybe I'll just paint it instead.

 

well i painted them yesterday and put them back on today. it was very easy and straight forward. as for the results, it came out perfect. i ended up going with the plasti-dip and i love the finish. it feels very durable and the finish look almost identical to that of the black plastics on the wheel wells. i think the black plasti-dip flows perfectly with the rest of the car. ill post pics soon. again great write up

 

does anybody have a pepper white with the the tail lights, and the headlight rings painted white? but that looks sweet.

 

Nice write up on tackling this. I am still happy with it and how it has worked after a month or so.

 

Brilliant! Everyone's makeover looks sexy!

 

where did you find the paint on minispeed's website? I've been looking all over to get some.

 

Nice write-up! Sticky this please!

 

wow great write up! now i am very tempted to de-chrome my car! does anyone know or show me how to take off the rear view mirror? i am thinking of getting the checker one but cant figure out how to take the darn thing off!

 

Blacked-out the tail trim last night and took a quick pic on my phone. So far so good. I'll get some better shots posted later on when I get finished.

 

this was an awesome mod, very easy to do. and once again great write up
here are some pics

 

Done! Should I get black wheels next?

 

CaMiniMe - looks sexy. Well done!
TPMini - That's what I'm considering too. Black wheels - I like the machine look.

 

ahh sweet! haha i was gonna say that you should get the oz racing 18 spoke style... ( i think ti's 18 spoke lol)

 

wow I really like that - black wheels will definitley make it look agressive

 

Looking good! Planning on coming out on the 9th to our house? We would love to have you there!

CLICK HERE! For more details!

 

Has anyone blacked out the tail light clear covers? I saw a car here in Prescott with that done, looks nice. Haven't seen it at night though. His car is AB/B and needless to say it's color scheme is..........BLACK.