Here is a picture of my loyal daily driver that has been so much fun and good to me.


I got off work and came home, got out of my MINI, and looked at it. It was really dirty. I pulled out the pressure washer and sprayed it down. Wasn't paying attention and sprayed off a good bit of a stripe. Here's what I ended up doing... (I had already taken off the tiny stripes at this point.)


It was already damaged and I wanted to replace it but I had no idea it would be so difficult to remove the stripes... It took four hours and I don't even like how it looks without the stripes.



So now I'm going to compound, buff, and clay bar the car and probably get the straight back stripe that follows through to the roof and rear hatch. (or boot)
I'm curious to see what everybody's preference is on with/without stripes and what style. Honestly, I think the car looks like it's missing something without them.

 

Personally, I think it looks fine without them. Though, I was never fond of stripes on a mini anyways..

 

Way better without the stripes.

 

Just to add my 2 cents, I like the stripes. I think it makes it luk more exotic.

 

I like the stripes but on a car with all body matched trim the no stripe look is pretty awesome!

 

My configuration will tell you I'm not a stripe guy. I think the MINI looks great as is.

 

I like the stripes.

 

I think the R56 looks good stripeless. The R50/53 looks better with stripes, IMO.

 

Stripes----looks like a kids car!! W/O stripes----looks like an adults car! Leave it alone!!

 

4 hrs to remove them? You should have posted on here. Most of us that have done it would have told you that a simple hair drier (or industrial heat gun) would have saved you about 3.5 hrs.

I say stripes off. Looks cleaner.

 

Guess I'm in the minority here but I feel like a MINI has to have stripes!

 

Stripes! Try a white viper stripe this time, on the hood and bonnet

 

I love stripes on a MINI.

 

No stripes, looks much cleaner in my opinion.

 

Stripes on a MINI are like a bikini on a hot babe at the beach...they keep something good looking good. $0.02

 

needs stripes. look too plain without them imo

 

Check this site out.. they have some interesting designs for hood stripes... or entire racing stripes kits! http://www.decalfx.com/

 

Stripes=TotalMini-esque
Stripeless=minitorque & m|u look=way cooler IMO
Your Mini, your choice, though!

 

I think it looks a lot better with stripes. Without the stripes it looks like something is missing.

 

I like the look of stripes. I like the ease of detailing without.
If YOU like stripes. Any kind..... put them on.

 

Stripe that poor nekkid MINI !!

When I see a MINI without stripes, I feel for it.

 

I love my stripes.

If your MINI is still under the factory warranty, MINIUSA will replace the stripes if they peel. Mine started cracking and discoloring. My MA said he'd replace them on the spot.

 

Was there any ghosting?

 

A little bit, depending on what you mean. Obviously the paint under the stripe was in much better condition than the rest of the hood. When they put the stripe back on, it wasn't at the exact same spot, so you can see a definite line from where the original stripe was. I'm sure a bit of claybar and an orbital buffer will fix it. I plan on getting a detail from Richard Lin aka Octaneguy anyway so it doesn't bother me.

I should also add that i drive about 70 miles a day 4 days a week and park my car outside 24/7. My garage has been occupied with woodworking projects for the last 9 months

 

I took the stripes of my MINI a few weeks ago as I wanted to go the a cleaner look. My problem was I was able to remove the vinyl with a hairdryer, some of the glue residue remained. I used a variety of products to get the glue removed from the boot, but I still have glue stripes on my bonnet. I haven't spend the time with the chemicals yet on these pesky glue stripes. Does anyone have any simple or easier solutions to get the glue off my bonnet?