Here is their site (One of MCO sponsors):

http://www.mini-stuff.com/

I am interested in their magnetic checkerboard roof tiles but wondered if anyone has tried their products?. I like this approach better than the traditional fixed decal roof flag....

Any opinions or comments welcomed.

 

I know of at least two unhappy people who've lost magnetic stripes at highway speeds. I can't imagine the squares on the roof holding any better.

 

I love the stuff they offer, but have concerns with putting magnetic material on the MINI. A local mini owner and graphics guru made a couple sets to run around town with (and gave a set to me) had them on for a couple hours on a HOT day and after removing them found that they had 'ghosted' the clear coat. He frantically rubbed it out and after about 45 minutes got rid of it.

This was sort of an experiment as we were going to offer them on our site, but after seeing the potential risk, we decided not to go through with it.

Mini-stuff may be using a particular material that does'nt produce ghosting, but it may be risky. Even so, I occasionally run with a set of stripes on in 80 mile an hour stints of freeway driving and don't have a problem.

 

>>I love the stuff they offer, but have concerns with putting magnetic material on the MINI. A local mini owner and graphics guru made a couple sets to run around town with (and gave a set to me) had them on for a couple hours on a HOT day and after removing them found that they had 'ghosted' the clear coat. He frantically rubbed it out and after about 45 minutes got rid of it.
>>
>>This was sort of an experiment as we were going to offer them on our site, but after seeing the potential risk, we decided not to go through with it.
>>
>>Mini-stuff may be using a particular material that does'nt produce ghosting, but it may be risky. Even so, I occasionally run with a set of stripes on in 80 mile an hour stints of freeway driving and don't have a problem.


You are absolutely right about that. I had a very small magnetic plaque in my MINI's hatch and after a month or so when I went to take it out, the clearcoat section beneath the plaque was ghosted. I taught I had baked the clearcoat but after an hour or so of claying, waxing, etc, etc I was able to remove the smearing.

Indeed that will be my main concern with thier magnetic checkerboard tiles. I'll ask them to see if they can send me a sampler of the material as the whole kit costs $148 plus shipping.

Thanks for the responses.

 

>>I know of at least two unhappy people who've lost magnetic stripes at highway speeds.

Make it three. 50mph in a crosswind, she peeled right off. They're fun for show but I won't take them to speed. Roof tiles would be even more prone to wind action I should think.

 

I had an unfortunate experience with magnetic stripes, similar to the one mentioned above, with the "ghosting" on the clearcoat.

First I washed and prepped the car with Zaino polish. Made sure it was completely dry, then put on two magnetic bonnet stripes. My MINI is jet black. After only 4 hours of use on a hot, sunny day, I removed the magnets and to my horror, there was a "ghosted" image of the magnets imbedded in the clearcoat. It would NOT come off with a normal washing, nor would it come off with claybar.

I called Zaino for help, since I used their polish I was hoping that the layers of polish may have protected the clearcoat... well, it apparently did! Mr. Zaino suggested I use 3M Swirl Remover for Dark Cars (SKU #39009). I picked up a bottle at my local Pep Boys, put a little bit on a cotton cloth and rubbed in gently on the marks...they came right off! Plus, the swirl remover is also a polymer, so it shined it up, too. Man was I releaved to see this worked, because up until using the 3M product, nothing would remove the marks that mangets left on the car.

I'm not saying magnetic stripes on your car are bad, but please, don't use them in direct sunlight, don't use them if the car surface will rise to 150 Fahrenheit or above, and also, it seems the darker the car color, the more obvious the ghosting will be from the stripes.

So, if you get the ghosting, DON'T PANIC like I did. Heh. Get some 3M Swirl Remover. It works. And I have to give credit where credit is due: Mr. Zaino for knowing exactly how to remove the damage from the magnetic stripes.

He says I was lucky...he's seen permanent damage due to magnets. Luckily my damage was "fresh" and didn't have time to set in too deep...I only had the magnets on for four hours, but it was very hot that day and direct sunlight and a dark color car.

I also believe the fact that I had about 4 layers of Zaino polymer on my car helped to protect the clearcoat even further. I can't say enough about Zaino...it's the best car polish system I've ever used. Yes, that's subjective. No, I don't work for or get compensated from Zaino...I just like the product and heartily recommend it. There are some threads on minicooperonline with photos of MINIs that have been Zaino'ed...they look spectacular...judge for yourself.

But please, be careful with magnetic stripes on your car!

Rock On,

Joe