I ordered a blackout kit for the beltline from Outmotoring.com....has anyone tried this themselves? I hope that it's not too hard to do, if it doesn't work out, I'm only out $13.00. I just figured I'd try this before spending around $200 to have it done some place else.

 

Both my and my wife's MINI has the beltline blacked out. It is easy, but time consuming. For a first time, expect about 1.5 hours. Take your time and don't stretch the tape. Good luck

 

Thanks for the info! Does the blackout tape hold up pretty well in the weather? I have never seen a MINI in person that has had this done.

 

I believe people have done this @ Sunshine MINIs in FL for a couple of years now with no problems. We have only had it on for about a month.

 

What is the beltline? I mean, I know what mine is, but what is the beltline you are blacking out?
jason

 

LOL...the beltline is the trim around the car on top of the doors...between the windows and the body panels.

 

Install is easy. I blogged it, here.

Just remember that, when it's down and in place, to then also pull off the clear plastic layer on top. I did my car in about 20 minutes -- and that's slow, I should think.

 

You Germans are so efficient compared to us 'mericans--that's why we drive BMWs instead of Fords! ;-)

Cool to see the world really does fit in the palm of your hands these days!

BTW, we're all jealous of your driving venues, too! ;-)

 

Hey 07!

I just ordered the tape as well, how did that work out for you? Any surprises?

 

Hey MrFalcon!
I just got my tape yesterday afternoon and haven't had a chance to try it out yet. Tomorrow we are going to put it on, so, if you haven't done your's by then, I will let you know! I can't wait to see the difference this is going to make!

 

Mine should be showing up this weekend, please do share how yours goes!!! Good luck!

 

How did it go today?
jason

 

We gotta have some pics

 

Good idea to wipe down the chrome mouldings with a little isopropyl alcahol to remove any gunk before applying the tape.
Jim

 

So...how did it go?

 

Well, I got most of mine done last night! I lent my camera out a few days ago, so I'll get pictures up soon. I *LOVE* the way it looks, and of course it is exciting to do one of my first little mods = ) A couple notes on my experience so far...

The clear film that is on the top of the black tape is hard to see at first. If I hadn't read so much about it, and had the note reminding me to take it off, I doubt I would have realized it was there in the first place. I found it was easiest to put the tape over the beltline with a fair amount of extra on one side, and then slit down the middle of the tape, essentially making a forked tongue at the end of the excess. You can pull these two pieces apart, and it will force the clear film to separate from the tape, making it MUCH easier to grab and remove.

Also, it seemed to go more smoothly by lining the tape up with the top edge of the beltline, then smoothing down from there. Of course, YMMV!

I'll get pics up soon, as I also put my racing stripes on yesterday, and I'm hoping my Aero Grill shows up today!

 

Cool!! Thanks for the info! Unfortunately, I haven't had the time to do mine yet, as much as I've wanted to!! Hopefully it will get done this week. I can't wait to see pics of your's! I'm glad that it went ok for you and it doesn't sound like it's that involved ( let's hope I have the same luck with mine!)

 

Here are a couple of pics! I still haven't gotten around to finishing the front part of the trim, but I thought the pics would show some nice contrast = ) Here are some sample pics taken this morning!

 

That looks really good! Hopefully I can get my brother to help me do mine today...I also ordered the blackout kit for the side markers, so that should be here in the next few days. I too will take some pics once mine is done, and when the black JCW grill is put on. Again, your's looks great! Thanks for the pics!

 

Ok, got mine done! I love it! Now I can't wait on the blackout kit for the side markers to get here. Here are a few pics of the black JCW grill and the beltline.

 

Okay, I like the looks. But, I read somewhere about how the current kits don't really fit the R56 without some work-arounds. Is this still true, or do the strips actually fit? I know trimming the strips is "easy," but, if I am going to buy a kit for a substantial amount more than the maerials would actually cost, I would prefer to wait until there is one that actually fits the R56.

 

It's true...the kit doesn't actually fit, and there is a little bit of trimming involved, however, the kit is only $13 from Outmotoring.com. I will gladly pay that before I pay the body shop here $225 to do it. We did mine in about an hour and I love the way it looks! If they do come out with a kit for the same price for the R56, I would probably get it and put it on instead of this one, but for now, this one will work.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll wait for an R56 version. Then again, I have been led to believe by certain vendors that certain things are "for" the R56 and, while, technically, they did fit, they clearly weren't made for the R56, which caused some installation/fitment issues (i.e. saddlebag and rear bumper scuff protector).

 

Yeah, I know how that goes! When I buy something for mine, I always cross my fingers that it will go on correctly and with no hassles! Hopefully it won't be too much longer until there's a lot of stuff made for the R56.

 

Looks AWESOME! Love the grill, too!! Girl, you got it going on. (I mean the car that is, I mean not that you don't, but, crap, you know what I mean!)
jason