I am considering a MINI with either Black Stripes or White Stripes on the hood. Would like to know if those are Vinyl and if they fade in color?

Thanks

 

Those are made of a vinyl material.. In most cases they do hold up well to fading.. But of course it will vary on where you live and how much direct sun they are in over time. But if they are maintained they should hold up just fine. Every MINI I had always held up well. But I also coated them with a wax when I waxed my car. Seemed to always bring them back to life.. good luck!

 

does white retain the color more than black, you would think?

I live in CA, the car is mostly garaged, but during the day is parked in the Sun.

Thanks

 

My guess is white will hold up more just because it reflects the sun more then it adsorbs. While black being dark in color adsorbs sun more then it reflects. So that in itself would make a difference. One thing I have noticed is that laminated strips hold up better then non laminated.. Just things to think about!

 

If i order the MINI with the stripes, will they come from the factory Laminated or non laminated?

Thanks

 

You know that's a good question..Part of me wants to say yes.. But I got a 2013 MINI R56 in the garage now.. I will take a look once. All of my custom stripes had the lamination done to them. Which is nothing more then a clear vinyl laid on top to help project them. But I will say that I think MINI does use a decent grade of vinyl.

 

so did you order your MINI with the stripes, or did you put the stripes afermarket? I am considering just having the stripes done from the Factory because is included in the Sport Package.

 

+1 on wax - carnuba - laminated or not.
Do not polish over them though. If you machine polish at any time, mask them off.
I've got laminated black from Aesthetic Creations (now gone). They've got 2+ years including 1 5K mile road trip and not a mark on them.

 

My MINI I ordered it with the bonnet stripes.. My MINI is spice orange with the black stripes. In fact now that I think about it all of my stripes were black. I also had an 03 MINI with black stripes and they still looked good at 80k before I sold it. Any aftermarket stripes I had installed were laminated though. Theres a shop less then a mile away that does all my stripes.. But like you.. My stripes were always included with a package I ordered.. So I always had them installed at the factory just because I wanted to get the most for my money. The worst case would be me having to replace them down the road. Which they never did need. They did hold up well.. Plus my 03 MINI sat outside 80% of the time! Hope that helps!

 

Yes, Thank You, that gives me some info to go by. I am in between Peeper white/Black top and stripes or Blue/White top and stripes.

but if i am not getting stripes then Blue with White top.

 

+1

 

Those are very nice color options you are thinking about. Either way you go It will be sharp! Good luck with your choice!

 

Thank You, I will probably have to wait till i see the new cars on the lot to really appreciate the different colors before i make my choice.

 

Seeing the colors in person makes a huge difference.. I don't blame you a bit to see the colors first.. Once I seen the spice orange with the black roof I was hooked ha ha! Good luck!

 

I got my stripes done at local shop, I didn't want to look like any body else s MINI. Cost me about $100 installed.

 

Amen on seeing the colors in person! I had picked out Horizon Blue based on the paint samples at the dealer and the color selector on the website. Then I saw one out on the road--it was too much like dark grey for me! So I changed to Ice Blue, and am happy with my choice.

 

I hear you , allmost ordered a spice orange then
I saw one in for service , not the orange I wanted .

 

Mine is black with silver stripes. I ordered with stripes and then had the clear bra installed over them. Car is in a garage at home and parking deck covered at work.

I am told if clear bra is removed they can be removed easily and most likely will not have any paint fade. Removing Clear Bra could damage the stripes? Maybe.

First ordered car, then was told the wonders of clear bra. If I could do it over I might just order a black car. Stripes are nice but I would be fine without them.

Glad I got the clear bra though. Careful with stripes in roof and spoiler. Car is S Coupe.

No problem with roof or spoiler fading. I wish I had more advice but I do love the Mini. Don't regret buying it.