I did a lot of research online trying to figure out the best way to apply decals to the top of the mini. After hours or research and after a successful install, I thought I would do a write up on the steps I took and information I found out along the way to help others in my shoes.

If your reading this thread im sure you now realize that the mini dealerships charge a whopping $350 or more to install roof decals. I called a few other private vinyl installers and both gave me numbers close to $250. Even still, that is more then the decal costs!

There are two different ways to install vinyl’s. Wet and Dry.

Dry is like it states, dry. The wet method allows you to position the decal before it is permanently fixed, it takes more time, but is A LOT less risky.

Certain decals types require different methods of installation and I wasn’t sure what method to use. I didn’t want to ruin my vinyl using the wet method if it wasn’t made to be installed that way, and I didn’t want to install dry because it is a lot more risky.

I called a few dealerships and found that most dealerships outsource the installs. I also called Avery (the vinyl manufacturer) and they didn’t have any answers for me.

I was able to get one dealership to give me the guys phone number who does their installs and I spoke with him. He told me that the vinyl’s that are purchased from the mini dealerships should be installed WET and that most other vinyl (not from the dealership) should be installed dry.

I was also able to find a link to the installation instructions from mini here:

Union jack: http://www.motoringfile.com/howto/UJ%20Roof%20Decal.PDF

You can get the squeegee from home depot or kinkos, just talk to whoever does the vinyls there.



The checkers installation is basically the same. And I think the same instructions can be used for stripes as well.

Following the instructions is pretty straightforward but when it comes to removing the antenna on the r56 mini cooper, it is completely different then how it states since the instructions are for the older ones.

I could not get a definite answer as to how to remove it from these forums; everything I read suggested that the roof must be dropped from the inside to remove the antenna.

After fiddling with it for a while I was able to get it off and im sure the next two photos are pretty self explanatory for how I did it:



Pull down the roofing from the back and look up towards the antenna and you will see something similar to this:

Unscrew that bolt and the antenna just pops off. This allows you to install the vinyl correctly.



Good luck! Im sure glad I did it my self and saved the few hundred bucks. Just take your time and all should be well!


My finished product:

 

looks great!!!!

 

Wow, nice job!! How about some close up pics to see the quality?

 

nice job. curious. in the second pic, is that squigly line on the inside surface of the headliner glue? if so, like in my car, that glue held a plastic base for a clip to the roof. in my car, the base and clip were still attached to the metal roof but unglued from the headliner. cheap glue. instead of regluing, i just removed the clip to prevent possible rattles.