Hello! I am a new Mini owner. Just purchased a 2010 Clubman S.
I was thinking how cool the car would look if I could paint the fenders, side skirts, front and rear valances.
I took the car to my body shop and the owner was a little skeptical about how the plastic would hold up once painted.
Does anyone here have experience with this? Did you paint your fenders ect and did it hold up?
I was thinking how cool the car would look if I could paint the fenders, side skirts, front and rear valances.
I took the car to my body shop and the owner was a little skeptical about how the plastic would hold up once painted.
Does anyone here have experience with this? Did you paint your fenders ect and did it hold up?
6th Gear
They paint polyurethane bumpers, so it can be done. I've seen some pictures in these forums of MINIs with the black trim painted the same color as the car.
Maybe you should ask a different body shop.
Dave
Maybe you should ask a different body shop.
Dave
Thanks Dave!
My body shop said it could be done. He said the plastic would need to be sanded and smoothed. Then painted. I don't think he ever did it before so I think that is where the hesitation came from. The body shop was unsure how it would hold up over time.
The quote given to me was quite affordable so I am debating what to do....
My body shop said it could be done. He said the plastic would need to be sanded and smoothed. Then painted. I don't think he ever did it before so I think that is where the hesitation came from. The body shop was unsure how it would hold up over time.
The quote given to me was quite affordable so I am debating what to do....
OVERDRIVE
Depending on what you think is quite affordable I would check out at least two other body shops and get quotes just to see if they are on track with the pricing. Sometimes it is good to check the price as when they have your car and then tell you it is a lot more work than they thought and it will cost you X dollars more you are not in a place to negotiate.
6th Gear
Do you mind telling us what your quote was? I'm looking into doing the same thing but I haven't talked to any body shops yet.
3rd Gear
Don't they make the fenders and everything that is paintable? The stock black pieces are pretty rough and I don't know how well they would hold up painted or if it would be worth the money. I know you can buy color matched fenders as an option at the stealership.
6th Gear
I'm not sure. I know they offer a painted kit, but I can't find the individual pieces anywhere. Plus, if I get them painted, I'd get the euro arches first.
6th Gear
im sure if everything was sanded smooth it'd be just fine.
I love the all painted stuff which is why I opted for the Aero kit back in the day.
Painted S trim also looks great from the few I have seen
Also depends on the color id say. That mellow yellow (though not offered on '10 IIRC) is nearly impossible to match right lol
I love the all painted stuff which is why I opted for the Aero kit back in the day.
Painted S trim also looks great from the few I have seen
Also depends on the color id say. That mellow yellow (though not offered on '10 IIRC) is nearly impossible to match right lol
6th Gear
Quote:
I love the all painted stuff which is why I opted for the Aero kit back in the day.
Painted S trim also looks great from the few I have seen
Also depends on the color id say. That mellow yellow (though not offered on '10 IIRC) is nearly impossible to match right lol
X2...Originally Posted by iwashmycar
im sure if everything was sanded smooth it'd be just fine.I love the all painted stuff which is why I opted for the Aero kit back in the day.
Painted S trim also looks great from the few I have seen
Also depends on the color id say. That mellow yellow (though not offered on '10 IIRC) is nearly impossible to match right lol
Mark
2nd Gear
I used to paint and I was good with plastic but I would probably have discouraged this too. Those areas are left unpainted my the OEM for a reason. They are prone to chipping.
If I was to do them I would sand the texture out (the rocker mouldings might look wavy) then sweat the parts in the paint booth (baking them to sweat out the mold release that is in the plastic from the manufacturing process). Next I would clean the parts with a plastic cleaning solution (like rubbing alcohol). And lastly, the clear-coat needs to have a flex additive.
If you do it, make sure they use the flex additive. And maybe have them give you a bottle of touch up paint.
If I was to do them I would sand the texture out (the rocker mouldings might look wavy) then sweat the parts in the paint booth (baking them to sweat out the mold release that is in the plastic from the manufacturing process). Next I would clean the parts with a plastic cleaning solution (like rubbing alcohol). And lastly, the clear-coat needs to have a flex additive.
If you do it, make sure they use the flex additive. And maybe have them give you a bottle of touch up paint.
You can buy the smooth wheel arches from any MINI dealer. They are ready to be painted. And the bit about chipping...if its done right, its not going to chip. This is how my car came from the factory. Not one chip on the wheel arches or aero kit for the year and 3 months it was on the car.
Other MINIs come all painted up from the factory such as last years Laurel edition.
Other MINIs come all painted up from the factory such as last years Laurel edition.
6th Gear
Quote:
If I was to do them I would sand the texture out (the rocker mouldings might look wavy) then sweat the parts in the paint booth (baking them to sweat out the mold release that is in the plastic from the manufacturing process). Next I would clean the parts with a plastic cleaning solution (like rubbing alcohol). And lastly, the clear-coat needs to have a flex additive.
If you do it, make sure they use the flex additive. And maybe have them give you a bottle of touch up paint.
Originally Posted by orbitup
I used to paint and I was good with plastic but I would probably have discouraged this too. Those areas are left unpainted my the OEM for a reason. They are prone to chipping. If I was to do them I would sand the texture out (the rocker mouldings might look wavy) then sweat the parts in the paint booth (baking them to sweat out the mold release that is in the plastic from the manufacturing process). Next I would clean the parts with a plastic cleaning solution (like rubbing alcohol). And lastly, the clear-coat needs to have a flex additive.
If you do it, make sure they use the flex additive. And maybe have them give you a bottle of touch up paint.
The problem with flex additive is it evaporates in 12-24 hours depending on the brand. Flex add is meant to help install plastic pieces (ie. bumper covers) that twist and flex while installing. Once it evaporates, it doesn’t exist.
Quote:
Originally Posted by onefish2
You can buy the smooth wheel arches from any MINI dealer. They are ready to be painted. And the bit about chipping...if its done right, its not going to chip. This is how my car came from the factory. Not one chip on the wheel arches or aero kit for the year and 3 months it was on the car.
Smooth wheel arches from the factory are meant to be painted. Sanding the texture out of the stock ones can be done but are definitely more prone to chipping than the smooth set.
Mark
1st Gear
What do the stock "smooth" wheel arches cost?
This has been a mod that's been on my mind since I bought my MCS.
This has been a mod that's been on my mind since I bought my MCS.
3rd Gear
Can be done, but its alot of work! Textured skirts sanded smooth and painted:
6th Gear
After reading some of these posts, a few thoughts....
1) Cost... we just painted all the arches, and trim for the local mini dealer. Their bill was 1200 bucks. (they handed us the car, we R&I’d everything)
2) When I say painted flares are more prone to chipping, if prepped correctly, they won’t chip any more than any other spot. What I mean about the chipping is THAT PARTICULAR area is prone to chipping. We get cars in constantly that we are painting the front ends on which includes the front half of the fenders which are chipped.
So unless you’re going to put a clear bra on the flares also, you’ll get fine chips. When basecoat/clearcoat gets battered from debris, it leaves little white marks in the paint (much like looking from the inside out of your windshield in the sun and noticing how “peppered” your windshield is)
3) I have a set of pepper white full flares and aero kit taken off a 2010 with zero miles on them. (had them removed at the dealership before the car left) It is the mini aero kit, not the JCW aero kit.
Mark
1) Cost... we just painted all the arches, and trim for the local mini dealer. Their bill was 1200 bucks. (they handed us the car, we R&I’d everything)
2) When I say painted flares are more prone to chipping, if prepped correctly, they won’t chip any more than any other spot. What I mean about the chipping is THAT PARTICULAR area is prone to chipping. We get cars in constantly that we are painting the front ends on which includes the front half of the fenders which are chipped.
So unless you’re going to put a clear bra on the flares also, you’ll get fine chips. When basecoat/clearcoat gets battered from debris, it leaves little white marks in the paint (much like looking from the inside out of your windshield in the sun and noticing how “peppered” your windshield is)
3) I have a set of pepper white full flares and aero kit taken off a 2010 with zero miles on them. (had them removed at the dealership before the car left) It is the mini aero kit, not the JCW aero kit.
Mark
6th Gear
Yup, 700 bucks... includes front and rear bumper, side skirts and all flares. All painted pepper white from the factory.
Will paint for 1000 (that’s less than what we charge the dealer)
Mark
Will paint for 1000 (that’s less than what we charge the dealer)
Mark
6th Gear
Quote:
Will paint for 1000 (that’s less than what we charge the dealer)
Mark
That is a GREAT DEAL for someone... Aero Kit alone is over $1000 from dealer and then needs paint..Originally Posted by orangecrush
Yup, 700 bucks... includes front and rear bumper, side skirts and all flares. All painted pepper white from the factory.Will paint for 1000 (that’s less than what we charge the dealer)
Mark
6th Gear
Quote:
Sorry man, I should have been more clear. That price of 1000 is on top of the 700 bucks.Originally Posted by N2MINI
That is a GREAT DEAL for someone... Aero Kit alone is over $1000 from dealer and then needs paint..
We paint the ground effects for the dealership 1200 bucks. That price is based on them getting a discount because of the quantity they send us.
I’m charging 1000 to paint two bumpers, two rockers and 4 flares. The kit is still 700 bucks.
Sorry for any confusion.
Mark
Mark, what would be your approximate non-dealer price if I were to show up with a full set of factory-new trim pieces (2006 MINI 'S' with the regular non-aero body), including smoothing and painting the new pieces, removing the old pieces and installing the new?
6th Gear
Quote:
Just to be clear...Originally Posted by ScottRiqui
Mark, what would be your approximate non-dealer price if I were to show up with a full set of factory-new trim pieces (2006 MINI 'S' with the regular non-aero body), including smoothing and painting the new pieces, removing the old pieces and installing the new?
-bottom pieces on the front bumper (not the bumpers themselves)
-(4) flares
-(2) rocker panels
-bottom trim rear cover, correct?
Verify that’s what you want painted and I’ll make it worth your while to drive down.
Mark
