Hi,
My car is in the shop getting a new hood panel and refinish. I have 2 black bonnet stripes going down the center of the hood like this -



That is the actual car. My question is, are these stripes paintable? As in could they paint them on? Or are they something that has to be purchased and put on? I have never need another MINI with the stripes I have on mine. The two stripes also match up on the hatchback. Thanks!

 

Anything is "paintable" for a price. It would most likely be cheaper to buy/install new vinyl.

 

OK cools thanks. You seem familiar with the parrallel vinyl stripes, could you point me in the direction of some that you would recommend purchasing?

 

They are an option, off the Mini site. look up accessorys.

 

Those are the "sport stripes" for the bonnet and boot. About the same cost as the reg "V" stripe.

Oh, yes they could be painted on, it's just a question of cost.

 

This is what I thought. The stripes were very slightly raised but they must have been painted on because they didn't feel like vinyl at all. I do have the matching black ones on the back as well. My insurance is paying to repair the car to it's original state and the shop charged them for a hood and a refinish job so I would assume they are painting them on if it was painted before.

 

Trust me they are vinyl. I would figure if you wanted them painted on, it would be a couple of more hours of labor. i don't see the point of that, expecially if you ever want to change the stripes for something more... flashy?

 

I don't really care what they are, as long as they are put back one way or the other. I should probably just ask the shop That would make the most sense. If they are painted, if I wanted to change them couldn't I just get vinyl over them?

 

The stripes from the factory are definitely vinyl. I wouldn't get them painted on.

 

Is there a benefit of vinyl over paint?

 

Easy install, easy removal, and totally reversible.

 

Right. I'm not sure what the shop will be partial too. They are a sheet metal & paint shop, so they may be partial to paint because they won't have to order the vinyl. Though they might do vinyl anyway because that is what the car originally had, apparently.

 

Well you're paying them to do a service for you, if you want vinyl then they should do vinyl. If I were in your shoes I'd get vinyl stripes. You never know if you'll ever want to change your stripes down the road. I've had my car for a year and I'm already thinking about it.

 

It's a vinyl and you should do vinyl as well. It always protects some part of the hood so whenever you get a stone chip or something of that nature, you can always replace that part of vinyl rather than having to repaint the front end!

 

If you purchased your MINI new, then the stripes are vinyl.
If you picked it up used, they could very well be painted.
I would not recommend having the stripes painted on, as this would not be OEM. Most cars depreciate some when the vehicle is no longer OEM

Like some have said, vinyl is easily removable and replaceable.

Let us know if you need some stripes



-vS

 

This is the thing, I purchased the car used, however I think the stripes are original from the factory. I may actually need some stripes, you can pm me if you like.