can I put 3M bra on top of bonnet stripes? will that damage the stripes if I decide to remove the bra later?

 

When the dealer installed mine they cut around the bonnet stripes.

 

I had mine applied over the stripes, recommended by the dealer who uses a reputable 3rd party who comes to the dealership and completes the process. Looked great and had no issues......1 year or so ago, had a paint related issue, and the body shop used their own 3rd party guy... After 3 attempts I'm still not happy with the outcome!! It's an excellent product, but as in any install, "Attention To Detail" is a must, otherwise it'll look like crap! Do your research and find a reputable installer who knows what they're doing. If it's through your dealership hold them responsible for the process.

 

I have had both. My Clubbie was cut around. If I had kept it I waould have needed to re-stripe since they were cracking. I could have left the bra looked good as new.

On Lucy bra is over stripes and looks great. Only rough point will be if I decide to change stripes the bra comes off. But if I changed pattern it would have to anyway.

 

Pros and cons both ways.

On my new JCW that I should take delivery of on Saturday, I'm having the stripes placed on top of the full bonnet clear bra.

On our other three MINIs that have had clear bras, the stripes are under the clear bra.

The reason I changed this time: Installer recommended and his reasons made sense. When you do put the stripes under, you get a little line of air under the bra on the edge of the stripes... can't make a perfect seal. Not a huge deal but it does bug me a bit. Also, as mentioned, ease of changing stripes if you ever decide to do so. For those with a half-bonnet clear bra, if you put the stripes under, you will also have the issue of the stripes under the bra looking slightly different than the half of the stripes not covered... will have a different sheen, if you will.

Con of having the stripes on top: None of the stripe is protected.

IMO, I would never have the film cut around the stripes. All that does is make for more edges for dirt to catch under, more edge for you to clean the polish and wax out of when you detail your MINI, and... you still have unprotected stripes. The only advantage of doing that... your stripes will lay flat and wont have the barely noticeable ridge where the bra ends.

Just my $.02. Actually, that was more like a nickel.

 

You're going to have a problem with getting a perfect seal regardless of which is on top. You just have to decide if you want a gap under the bra or under the stripes.

I believe my stripes are under the bra, but I don't advocate either way. It's all pretty much the same, unless you want to change stripes often.

 

Why would you get a gap of air on the clear bra or the edge of the stripes if the stripes are on top ?? The stripes will lay flat on the clear bra but the clear bra is just thick enough that you it will not seal completely if stripes are under it.

And "if you want to change stripes often" ? I'd like to see you change them even once with the clear bra on top.

 

The stripes will sit flat on the clear bra, but there will be a gap against the paint where the bra ends. There is a gap for the same reason you mentioned with having the stripes underneath. There are 2 intersecting materials, and whichever is put on last will have a small gap where it overlaps the two uneven surfaces underneath. There's no way to get everything to sit flat unless you trim the bra and it's extremely unlikely that could be done perfectly.

Changing stripes once is too often for me

 

I think you and I are talking about two different gaps. I'm not talking about the gap between the edge of the clear bra and the edge of the bonnet.

I'm talking about the tiny line of air that will sit along the edge of the stripes if you put a clear bra over them.

 

I think we're talking about the same thing. You'll see the gap/line of air under the stripes where the bra ends when you pick up the car Saturday

 

I bet you my down payment I won't.

By the way.... my stripes won't extend past the edge of the clear bra.

Bet?

 

In that case I agree with you completely. Is your clear bra going all the way up the hood or are the stripes only going part way up?

 

ironically, had an email from my MA asking me about the stripe intall. Apparently the clear bra was tucked under the edge of the bonnet on both edges as will the stripes. No edges at all.

None of my other three clear bras were done like that so kudos to the dealership's installer.