I've seen an old thread for first gens that no longer has pictures, but anyone taken the trim off of an R56?

I've got a Clubman that I want to pull the beltline off of and paint professionally since the vinyl didn't look right.

Thanks!

 

I too am doing this. Unfort, there are parts of the belt line that do not come off too easily. Unless you have the bravery to attempt it, I would tell you to leave your car at the body shop for the day and let them do it while its on the car.

I'm taking that route now actually, one the last things I'm getting painted. I have everything done in Astro Black except the door handles, gas, cap and belt line. I too was not very impressed with some of the vinyl stuff as the paint thus far looks exceptionally better!

Hope I helped! Good Luck!

 

I'd be interested to see how this turns out and how much it would cost to do. I have vinyl on the beltine but would have it painted if I knew it could be done well (lots of masking) and it would hold up well. Keep us informed.

 

Thanks for hte replies!

Yes, let us know if this comes out right, and how much it cost to get it right!

Too bad that it may be difficult to get them off the car, but I agree, painting is probably the best looking and longest lasting method.

-Ben

 

I just wonder if the possibility of any small instances of the masking not being just right will offset the vinyl not being just right.

 

Not sure what you mean. Could you clarify please? I'm going to get it priced out and get an estimate on Monday. Will definitely be back here to post my findings. Paint is always the best method, however, having vinyl in the front isn't a bad idea for chipping purposes, it's just that the paint looks 100x better.

 

I just mean the body shop will have to mask off to paint the chrome area of the beltine. That's a lot of edge work that if done sloppily might show. Essentially the opposite of applying vinyl which you apply to the chrome and if done sloppily shows too.
BTW I found the front to be the hardest with vinyl because on my car the chrome was slightly wider in the front and different widths. Something you don't notice until you put a fixed width tape on it!
Believe me I'm all for painting it, but I hope a body shop would be as picky as I am about edges (curse of being a graphic artist).

 

Agreed!! Thats why I don't just go to any paint shop. I have been getting work done by these guys for a year now and if you have seen my car recently, you would be able to tell their "graphic-artist" attention to detail Thats good that you are picky with that, because that is a hard thing to do correctly. When I put my belt line tape on, I too thought I was being as careful as possible, taking about two hours to put it on. Come to find, I missed the chrome in about 3 small spots that werent noticable until I took a few steps back!

I will keep everyone posted as to my results this coming monday.

 

Yep I have a couple a small chrome spots showing and it just kills me. But if the tape is .75 inches and the chrome has a blip to .8 they're hard to avoid.
Glad you have a shop you can trust. Maybe I'll take a road trip to CT and visit yours!

 

If you want, I will let them know I have a fellow MINI coming for some paint! Yeah, and also if you pull to hard on the tape to make it go on taunt without any bubbles, it stretches the tape out. Then your really screwed.

 

So did you ever get to the paint shop?

Rumor has it that the 09's at the beginning of the year might offer a black belt line and headlight rings.

Lets' talk retrofit!

 

My car is in for paint on Monday, the 13th, and I will get it back on Weds, the 15th. They need to keep it because they said that all pieces need to be removed from the car to make sure it is done perfectly. So, the total of the job comes to 400.00 with sanding, prep, and paint for the Grille Surrounds, Gas Cap, Door Handles, and Beltline plus install of the door handles and beltline. Seemed like a good deal for me, plus they are lending me a company beater for the 3 days so I'm not without a car.

I will update on Weds of the results with pictures.

 

Thanks for the update. Definitely post some shots. Maybe some close-ups.

 

MINI could milk some big bucks if they offered a blackout package

 

yeah, you know what, they probably look at forums like these and see what the aftermarket is doing to capialize on profits. Although it seems like a long time coming, if they price it right...they will make some money for sure. If a factory, warrantied beltline kit was available, as well as all other de-chroming bits, I'd be all over it.

 

Same here.
Funny I was in my dealer about 6 months or so ago and mentioned to my MA that MINI should offer the black beltline. I said heck everything else is a la carte so why not say $250 for this or that in black.
He ignored me.