Wife wanted to add red highlights to her MINI.

I found that Duplicolor doesn't make MINI paint and I wasn't interested in paying for a custom mixed spray ($20) plus adhesion promoter ($20) from a local auto paint supplier (Sherwin Williams). Little research showed that a MINI owner had found the Ford OEM Cardinal Red was a close match so I went with it. I also assume that using products designed to go together would yield better results.

First, needed to remove the brake duct intakes which was very easy after finding on NAM that the bumper doesn't need to be removed - they just pop out:

 

Next, I gave them a thorough scrubbing with soap and water. I followed this with a green scuff pad:



This was the last time I used my bare hands to touch them. After scuffing (wasn't noticeable) I used a tab to hang them with speaker wire for painting and wiped them down with 91% rubbing alcohol



My products from Duplicolor:

Adhesion promoter
Cardinal Red paint
Protective clear coat

Process:
3 coats of adhesion promoter, waiting 3 minutes between coats
4 coats of base waiting 10 minutes between coats. 1st coat was within 10 minutes (actually 6) of final adhesion coat
3 light coats and 1 heavy coat of clear, 10 minutes between coats, 1st coat 30 minutes after final base coat

 

Final product turned out much better than I expected. Has a nice shine and I don't plan on messing with it as it's pretty low on the vehicle.

Overall, less than $25 and 3.5 hours of my time.

 

To accent this, I added one stripe outside of the factory stripe which was very easy.

Product:



Finished product. We're changing the "4" in All4 to red and adding the red/silver and black checkerboard JCW mirror caps along with painting the calipers to complete the look

 

We discussed adding a red stripe to the sides as well but think the caps and "4" will be just right:



Before:




Thanks!

-Eric

 

Well done Eric

 

Thanks!

We have a few more red accents to add but not too many.

-Eric

 

NICELY DONE. Also, others may wish to check out Krylon FUSION (for plastic &metal) #2328 safety red as a good match for chilli red. No primer required ,drys in 10 mins, costs about $4 @ walmart.

ISAMIN

 

I considered the Krylon route but didn't know if it could be successfully clear coated for durability.

-Eric

 

it doesn't need to clearcoated .I've run this on my lowerd JCW for about 3 years with NO bad effects.

ISAMIN