I'm thinking of buying a MINI that has painted wheel arches, but would like to bring these back to the stock black plastic look. Will a good quality paint stripper do this without damaging anything, or would I be better off searching further for a car that doesn't have painted arches? (It also has an aftermarket ground effects kit (front/rear/sides) that I would eventually bring back to stock Cooper S specs.)

Thanks,

Matt
'05 MCS, EB/W/W
Saint Paul, MN

 

I'm on here searching for a DIY to remove and replace the arches and see your post. I'm planning on getting painted arches, sills (basically all 14 black plastic pcs) for my R52 (1st Gen Cabrio). The company that sells the 14 pc kit buys all new pcs and sands and paints them at his place. If/when I do this... I will have all the stock black plastic. Are pcs from R52 and R53 interchangeable? I think they are. Maybe we could work something out.

I'm wondering if the sanding process that is done to the painted arches would affect the stock texture that you seek. I wouldn't say to avoid the car... but it might be cheaper/easier to just buy the black plastic pcs and switch them out.

If you find the DIY for removal and replacement... maybe you could post the link?

 

I'm not sure if they would have to sand and prep the original pieces. so if you did strip the paint, I doubt it would still have that plastic texture to it. But they do sell texturized paints, that you could use to give it that feel again.

 

WOW, never thought someone would do this. If you plan to go back to stock, I would highly suggest in taking the parts off and sell here or you could possibly swap out the kit with someone locally that may be interested in that kit you have.

If you don't plan to do that, I would get new trim pieces. Normal procedures on painting the plastic pieces is to sand down the texture to make them smooth.

 

everytimidie- Guess it would depend on who does it. I was told by the shop that the pcs are sanded and then a flex bond product is put on before painting. I don't know... never done this before.

uncl3- I think you're right! Make some money on selling the painted pcs and then buy new stock pcs.

 

Yup, it depends on who did it and how. My arches weren't sanded but majority sand.

 

Better idea and save time that way. you could probably make a few $ while at it.

 

To the OP - Even if you can't sell the painted pieces, it would be far less expensive to just get new arches (I can't recall, but I recently replaced one for less than $30) than to strip the old ones. The R&R is incredibly fast and easy - most likely you'll only have to replace a few clips. Odds are you'll make $$ on the deal.

 

Do you have pics of the car?

also think you must swap out the plastic with someone that wants painted ones.

 

Dont bother with stripping. Cheaper and MUCH easier to buy all new parts, or swap with someone who has them.

You definitely should ask for some cash in addition to the plastic parts you would get from another MINI owner in a swap. Quality prep and paint work alone would exceed $500-$700 dollars.

 

The stripped parts will never look the same as new OEM. Your other option would be to repaint the parts you have with a satin black to resemble the OEM parts.