>>There's an electric blue MCS w/ stipes ( top photo) that looks...terrific.!!!!
They do

Back to the original question - if they get banged, it saves your paint. Replace them in spring. I'd rather have a ding on my bonnet stripe than the alternative. Rust never sleeps.

 

The stripes are are only dinged in the area that has clear bra underneath it. Further back on the strip, its in the more horizontal / less vertical surface of the hood, so they aren't dinged there. Even though the stipes have little pock marks, the clearbra underneath is fine, so my decision isn't really swayed by the protective value of the stripes, since the clearbra is more robust that then stripe.

I think I'm going to keep the stripes on, and then just replace them this spring. Thanks everyone. :smile:

 

Update: I got new Stripes Today

 

>>Update: I got new Stripes Today
>>
>>

Very nice. Going for the obvious difference...and that's why you didn't go white with black edges?

Ok, so for an interesting idea....the StonGuard material can come in a smoked/tinted color as is used for the tinted rear taillight pieces Madness sells. I kinda have to wonder what that might look like cut into stripes. Kinda a "shadow" effect. Could be stellar, and would be resistant to pocking. Just a thought.

R

 

here's another pic

 

>>here's another pic
>>
>>

 

Yeah, I would definitely be in favor of custom work over something done in mass production.

 

Dave, I like the second pic best. But I just realized you have the stock antenna back on your car. What's up with that ? Buy the way, have you named your Mini yet?

 

back to the stock antenna: I decided I kind of liked the RC car look

 

Mini crazy? At least your not alone! Bird crazy Maybe? 265 birds and counting seems a bit over the edge ---but I shouldn't knock it as I'vedone some pretty strange things myself. As long as your having fun is the main point. Are you planing on displaying your flock at the MINI 5280 meeting on the 23rd.? That would be a hoot. I think you should. I guess if I'd look at the crane thread I'd realize there are a lot of bird watchers out there thow.

_________________
Buster [short for Gutbuster-Harsh ride] Red 2002 S -17"run flats

 

Woops ! I was trying to delete this post ?? Oh well??

 

I hadn't really thought about displaying them all at the meeting, but I could bring some along. :smile:

 

>>back to the stock antenna: I decided I kind of liked the RC car look
>>

I like the RC car look too! Makes it look like a toy or something.

Nice new stripes! Let us know if they hold up any better than the original stripes.

 

I don't think these will hold up any differently, given the same conditions. It's the exact same material. So my plan is to alter the conditions by driving my Jetta a little more often when there is gravel on the road. Fortunately, the weather has been nice around here so we haven't had much snow. Unfortunately, that probably means another drought this summer.

One more thing: thanks to COOPERation for the signature image that includes my MINI with the new stripes. Very cool. Thanks again.

 

DiD - I'll bite. What is the significance of the 265 in your sig? (Really like the new image though!)

 

It's a count of the cranes that Dave has begun a journey with. He's decided to fold 1,000 (oragami). Check out the original thread here.

Randy

 

Thanks, Randy! I have read most of that thread, but I must have missed that little tidbit.

 

Thanks for posting the link to the 1000 paper crane thread Randy. :smile:

 

Dave,
Did you have the clerar bra installed over or under the bonnet stripes? I'm definitely getting the clear kit - a necessity since I drive 100 miles to and from work daily. However, I would also like bonnet stripes. The person who is going to install the clear bra warned me that I may have "wrinkles" if I install the clear kit over the stripes. His suggestion was to have the stripes painted on the bonnet. I'm not sure about that option - the stripes become a bit too permanent for my liking (in case I change my mind). I'd like your input. Thanks!

CS

 

CS.

Welcome to MCO! :smile:

I had my stripes removed during the installation of the clearbra. The installer warned me in advance it was an issue. They offered to try anyway. Bubbles appeared along the edges of the stripes under the clear bra, so they removed the stripes (I had already given them the ok to do this).

The main advantage of removing the stripes (in addition to having a better installation) is that you can remove or chage the stripes without having an effect on the clear bra.

After the clearbra installation, I had custom stripes made up and installed by a local sign shop. It cost me $30 for materials and $45 for installation. That's cheaper than MINI, and they are custom. :smile:

 

Well, personally, I like the stripes. Here in central Fl. we don't have much in the way of gravel, just don't get behind one of those trucks hauling construction sand etc. I also like the use of stripes elsewhere. To me, a MINI looks naked without stripes.MB

 

DaveInDenver,
Thanks for the info! I feel better knowing that I'll be able to change / remove the bonnet stripes at any time.

By the by, your new stripes look great!

 

I'm considering removing my stripes again, going without for a while, and then thinking up something different later in the summer. I know. I know.