I'm thinking about removing my bonnet stripes. Overall, I like how they look, but we are barely into winter here in Denver and they are not wearing very well (little stone chips in the vinyl). So, I'm debating whether or not to just remove them, and keep the car looking nice. The downside being that I think the stripes do a lot to distinguish the car.

Here are some pics

 

Let us know what you do...

Cheers!
Clover

 

Eh, leave 'em on for the rest of the winter. Consider it "stone guard".

R

 

Davbret has a good idea ... then you can think all winter about going to a painter and making them permanent

 

>>Davbret has a good idea ... then you can think all winter about going to a painter and making them permanent

That brings up an excellent point. I LOVE the look of the bonnet stripes, but the wife and I decided to pass on them after seeing them in person. They just look kinda cheap.

However, I would love to have a set painted on. Has anyone tried this? How much would it cost?

 

I already have the entire front end of the car clearbra'd so the protective value of the stripes isn't really a factor for me.

They are cheap to re-apply as well: $30 for the vinyl, $45 for the install.

This problem wouldn't have come up if I were in SoCali. :smile:

 

The stripes really look great on your car! I know a product (some type of clear acrylic {or somthing else} that is sold to protect headlights, front bumpers, etc. from chips. Why not apply it over your stripes? Check around for it. I think I've seen front end and light kits from people like Mini Mania or one of the other links with our website. Good luck!

 

>>The stripes really look great on your car! I know a product (some type of clear acrylic {or somthing else} that is sold to protect headlights, front bumpers, etc. from chips. Why not apply it over your stripes? Check around for it. I think I've seen front end and light kits from people like Mini Mania or one of the other links with our website. Good luck!

Um. I think he's one step ahead of you on this one!

My guess is, and DiD correct me if I'm wrong, you didn't clearbra the bonnet stripes as well as the paint because it left the options open for stripes/no stripes.

I really like the stripes. I say let them take a little abuse over the winter and get new ones in the spring! Unless they start looking REALLY ratty before then.

_________________
Molly is a PS/B MC, with all 3 pkgs, CVT, + NAV system - and that little shark-fin antenna! (too much fun!)

 

>>I already have the entire front end of the car clearbra'd so the protective value of the stripes isn't really a factor for me.
>>
>>They are cheap to re-apply as well: $30 for the vinyl, $45 for the install.
>>
>>This problem wouldn't have come up if I were in SoCali. :smile:


Dave,

Was the clearbra already applied to your car when the pics were taken? Did you do it yourself? What was the cost?

Thanks,

Satchmo

 

:smile:

 

Dave:
What did the clear bra cost you and where can I go for something like that?

 

Correct. In addition to that, if you install clearbra over top of the bonnet stripes, you will get little air bubbles along the little ridge created by the edge of the vinyl.

In all of the above pictures, my car has the clearbra installed. The following areas are clearbra'd on my MINI:
- first 24" of the bonnet
- headlights
- bumpercover
- grille slats

the mirror caps were covered too, but I pealed that off as it didn't adhere very well to the heavily contoured mirror cap. All that cost me $450 with installation.

 

Dave can you get a close up photo of the clearbra? Who did the work for you, the dealer or a detailing shop?

 

photographing the clearbra is almost as difficult as photographing the BMW Z4

The only area that the film is really noticable is where there is the one seam running across the width of the hood. Otherwise, all the seams end at natural points (edges of the bumper cover, edge of the lens on the headlight) so it doesn't really show up very easily in photographs.

 

Oh, forgot to answer the second part. I did not have this done by the dealer. I waited until I got the car back to Colorado and had a company that only installs clearbra do it. Mine was the 3rd MINI they had done and they are up over 13 now that they have completed.

For the Colorado folks, here's the contact information:

I.D.S.
(less commonly known as Integrity Dealer Systems)
8071-B South Broadway, Littleton
(303) 734-4500

 

Keep the stripes until spring. They may take a beating, but chalk it up to a physical record of the great winter motoring experiences. Besides, they really do distinguish the car! If you do take them off, you can always decide to put another set back on later. That's what is so great about vinyl!

 

CMINIGO: Yeah, I figure that's what I'll do (leave them on and replace them in the spring). I just wish there wasn't so much gravel around here... first my windshield gets three differnt cracks in it, then my bonnet stripes get attacked.

Clover: some L.A. sun would be nice. :smile:

 

>>CMINIGO: Yeah, I figure that's what I'll do (leave them on and replace them in the spring). I just wish there wasn't so much gravel around here... first my windshield gets three differnt cracks in it, then my bonnet stripes get attacked.
>>
>>Clover: some L.A. sun would be nice. :smile:

St. Petersburg, Florida currently 72 degrees F. I do believe
I'll go for a motorcycle ride.

 

DiD,
Your car looks great...:smile:
I 've never really cared for stripes... &... imho cheapen the look of a mini.
The ONLY car I've ever owned that I liked the stripes was on a ....
1967 Shelby AC Cobra....

Peace,
D

 

I like the stripes Dave.

That's my vote.

Randy

 

Thanks Randy. I like the stripes too. It's just a matter of figuring out what to do over the winter. That's all. The stripes will definitely get redone (in a different design maybe) in the Spring. As CMINIGO points out, vinyl is cheap.

 

Keep them on. The cool thing is, every spring you can re-customize the look of your car...and cheap too!

 

Here's an odd idea... does the clearbra stick to itself? if so, how bad would it look if you took some 'scrap' clearbra , a little bigger then the the stripes, and clearbra over the stripes?? And i'm wondering if the cushining effect caused by the stripes on the clearbra are 'helping' the damage along....

Rocketboy_X

 

Here ya go....
go to the mini maddness ..opening page..
There's an electric blue MCS w/ stipes ( top photo) that looks...terrific.!!!!
Peace..
D

 

Hey Dave,
Your S really looks great with stripes! I'd leave em!
Jim