Hello All!

I have a Purple Haze MCS on order and I've been surfing lots of places looking at vinyl stripes, roof decals, and all that. There's a lot of good art out there to pick from!

I live in Houston TX where the sun gets brutally bright and I'm wondering how well these decals hold up to that kind of punishment. Do they fade or crack? How long do they hold up and look good? If I someday pull them off, will my paint have weathered unevenly?

I'm looking at the pros and cons of maybe getting some custom paint work done as well. Has anyone had any good experience with a Texas customizer?

Vinyl:
Pros: low cost, wide variety to have something pretty unique, easily changed.
Cons: durability? paint fade?

Custom paint:
Pros: completely unique, any color or shade,
Cons: high cost!!, can't change it without major effort & cost

If anyone has long term experience (more than 5 years), I'd love to hear it. I know the new Mini hasn't been out that long, but I'm sure these type of graphics have been.

Thanks in advance!

 

Check with Cooperflags www.cooperflags.com, they're an NAM sponsor AND they're located in Plano.

 

I haven't heard of, or seen, any fading (or other problems) with any of the roof graphics in our local MINI club. One of the guys I was talking to today mentioned his sunroof-only graphic was peeling back a bit on the leading edge, but it is probably taking quite a beating up there.

 

Hmm - that was a good suggestion. From the Cooperflags.com FAQ: (my italics)

Q. I live in a hot climate, how do I know your product will not fade?

A. All our designs are covered with a clear coat laminate. This material adds durability to the product and lessens the effects of UV light on the material itself. 3M provides a 2- year warranty on the product against fading and quality of material, except in certain Southwestern U.S. markets. Please go to the following web link http://……to download the warranty specifications.

Houston is about as south as you can get in the US with the exception of some parts of Florida. And a 2 year warranty doesn't get me real excited.

 

When you compare the cost of vinyl to custom paint, the 2 year warranty looks GREAT!

If there is any fading in 2 years, they fix it. You should get at least 1 more year if there hasn't been any fading in 2 years (being pesimistic).

For the price, just buy a new graphic in 3 years... and you get the option to restyle to your tastes at that time, rather than being stuck with your tastes of 3 years ago...

 

I would still suggest actually contacting them. I suggested Cooperflags not because they're a sponsor but because everybody I know who has dealt with them raves about them. Matt knows his stuff, not only that but he'll do custom work if you want it.

 

Hello,


I think you'll find my custom kits to be the most reasonably priced avaiable and installation isn't too difficult. Take a look at some of my designs and let me know your ideas, I'll be glad to help!

 

I have had great success with bonnet/boot stripes applied with water/soap solution. I was not happy with the sunroof cover from cooperflags. the front edge lifted at speed and moisture got under all edges. Car was covered in garage when not driven.

Matt from cooperflags was going to do something, never did. New owner offered to sell me new one for $100.

 

the probable reason for the sunroof cover lifting is there was no sealer tape applied to the edges of the cover. I have installed a few of these and I seriously doubt that the cover would lift even if you were driving at 100+ mph continously if the edges are proprerly sealed. The first one I installed they didnt have the sealer because they lost it and I can see how it might come up if it wasnt applied.


I personally like to install wet also but the sunroof cover isnt so bad dry as long as you get it right the first time, it also helps to have an extra set of hands when installing.

 

paint is better