This is my new Mini, I tried to photoshop one headlight ring and I colored in the grill ring, poorly! but I don't know how to use that darn photoshop I'm thinking about blackin out the front and rear headlight rings and front grill and maybe the hood scoop... maybe someone can do the hood scoop for me with there computer skills and show me a picture of what it could look like.. so I would like your votes on leavin it as is? or add the chrome hood scoop to match the current chrome headlight and grill. and design suggs..??
thanks...

 

Blackout the rings and hood scoop. Definitely.

 

I love chrome on my MINI, but yours is just screaming for a blackout. I might go all the way to a joey-mod on the headlights.
No Photoshop abilities.

 

I vote rings, grille surrounds and leave the scoop alone.

 

I looked at pictures with the joey mod on the headlights and it looks to aggressive. I don't know why I like the idea of painted projector rings! kinda like the iris in a human? I like the red part of this photo... but I'm thinkin black or mellow yellow for the projector rings and leaving the chrome alone...Like bright shiny eyes do they sell projector rings already colored? and is that what this part is called?

 

no you have to bake your headlights in an oven and disassemble them to get in there

 

The full black eye on this dog looks like the joey mod and the black ring with stock headlamps looks like the other eye of the dog I want my bulldog pit...looking friendly..
Now I'm thinking the blackout rings , could make my mini to "Bug eyed " ???

 

I'd say leave the scoop alone, but go yellow on the rings and grille trim (like orangecrush). You can get the paint here: http://minspeed.net/R56SP.htm. Blacking out the beltline would be good too.




Nice photoshop.

 

+1 Go with orangecrush's example. Black lips and black eyes just don't do it for me.

 

here's my poor attempt, but you get what you pay for

 

^^This.

 

Otto26, that looks great! you did a good job! I will study your picture and decide on a look soon...thanks..

 

^That.

 

DO NOT! bake your headlights...this is not the way to get them open a heat gun works perfectly and there is no chance of damaging the headlight

 

If you're worried about busting open your lights to do the Joey mod and potentially wrecking them in the process, check with your MINI dealer about the headlights on the new Camden. They're blacked out and will be plug and play, I'm waiting on my parts person to give me the heads up as to when they'll be available. They'll likely be pricey, but no less expensive than hosing up your stockers doing the Joey mod...

 

And oh yeah...ditch the chrome, either color match or black out. Don't forget the beltline and grab some Just A Cooper scuttles too...if it ain't black it should be yellow...and vice versa.

To borrow a line from bikers, black is the new chrome!

 

You could always go with the Carbon Fiber scoop. When my original melted had my SA replace it with a CF one. Dealer picked up the difference it was cheaper for them to swap it then to have to pay for painting the replacement one.

 

There's no chance of damaging your headlight if you bake it either as long as you keep it around 230 degrees and don't leave it in for too long. I've changed the color of mine 4 times this way and haven't damaged the lights yet. 230 degrees is not very hot at all.

 

Having done the joey mod on an R56 with Xenon's, I have to agree that following the directions (temp and time) in the oven was no problem. I started with a heatgun and it was a total flop. The oven method heats the "goop" evenly and I was able to separate the two halves easily. When I was done, I put the halves back together, popped the entire thing back in the oven for a couple of minutes and it all sealed back up just fine.

 

What is the best option for the headlight rings paint or wrap?

 

thats a tough one... Ive got mine wrapped... turned out great on Dark Silver (very very slightly ligher looking in certain light). Ive seen red wrapped....looked bad (didnt match good).

Ive seen Dark Silver painted. Looked perfect, BUT it chips easier...and was chipped in a few small spots.

 

Thanks iwashmycar, I'm looking at going with black I might have Lyle do a CF wrap on the headlight rings however looking for opinions and options.

 

honestly if you want black just Plastidip it....Ive done that as well and it looks good and is only like ten bucks compared to hundreds in vinyl.

there is also drycarbonwrap.com

Id say it looks much better than other carbon fiber wraps. Lyle might use the same look, but ive not researched that. He did my stuff and its definately top notch

 

Black plastidip sounds like a great plan. Who knows I might change it out during AMVIV 7.

 

^Yes

And I did vinyl on my rings. It was a bit of a pain since I didn't take the rings off, but if you take the rings off this should be EASY. Try to find a sign shop around you and ask if they can help you color match your car (they can). Then just order a yard of vinyl the right color. Uninstall rings and wrap. Will probably cost you about $25. Double wrap them for durability (should be able to wrap both rings twice with one yard). Just hit the vinyl with a blow dryer for a little stretchiness.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide!