Just tinted the front wheel arch reflectors so I thought I'd share some things I learned in the process:

-Follow either Pir8 97 and Tradiuz's tips for accessing the reflectors found in this thread: www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32697&highlight=smoke. Both methods are excellent and both work!
EDIT: Since the tinting, I've removed the front bumper cover for a different project and realized that it's far easier to access the reflectors this way instead of prying back the wheel well; removing the bumper cover involves a few more screws and bolts but affords unobstructed access.

-When spraying, place the reflectors on top of something thick so that they lay flat. I didn't, initally, so the paint ran and dried into a thick stripe on one edge.

-I used three coats of Pactra Racing Finish RC294 made for model cars per rcooper's suggestion in the same thread linked above. It only cost $5! BTW, I barely breathed in the vapors yet this stuff made me quite loofy... so (unless you're into that kinda thing) find a really well ventilated area or wait until it's warmer to do it outdoors.

-The paint may not be completely dry even when it glosses over, but you can tell when it is by huffing on it. If the water vapor from your breath condenses *and* evaporates quickly, then it's dry. Sluggish evaporation means that it's still damp.

I will try to post pictures of the finished work tomorrow since it's already dark and since my fingers went numb is this buck weather.

Hope this helps somebody!

 

tint? black spray paint works better! :D

 

id remove the reflector or mask it off and use NiteShades.

not that im really interested in covering up a safety part for visibility by others at night.

 

Funny, were the only country where MINI's are sold that thinks that they are a neccesary safety item.

 

yeh, maybe it's just me that i want something to reflect while people
shine their lights in a dark wooded area at night...especially if my car
is parked.

 

ive got the solution. chrome the fender flares

 

Does tinting them with paint eliminate the reflective qualities? What is the advantage of doing this versus the tinted protective films?

 

spraying is easier?

 

To answer everyone's questions, spray tinting is certainly not easier than applying a tinted film. It's quite a pita, actually, but it saves the expense of buying smoked reflectors and the required amber bulbs which altogether runs ~$60. Also, the spray tint still allows reflection at night and doesn't dim the stock bulb's brightness significantly unless too many coats are applied. I suppose one could mask around the reflectors instead of removing them but I didn't want to risk overspraying onto any part of the car and I wanted to make sure no color showed through around the edges where the spray wouldn't reach had not removed them.

If you can afford them, smoked reflectors and amber bulbs are definitely the best long-term option but if you get them, make sure they have a DOT/SAE stamp in case there's ever a question of legality if you're pulled over or when you're having your car inspected.

I think everyone should do this 'cause the car looks great without the orange and red eyesores!

 

You may laugh, but here in our home, we'd actually like to see a kit with a small edging of chrome for the flares!

FWIW, we bought clear corners off of ebay for $18.

 

Maby its me but I dont know if i want to be seen if i am parked in a dark wooded area

 

um, what cha doing by yourself parked in a dark wooded area?

no, i don't want to know.

 

That would be neat! I think the chrome harkens back to to the look of the original Mini. I like mine. I never really notice the sidemarker lights. Heck, they've been on cars since 1968!

 

Where can one find smoked markers?

 

Since I don't have my Mini yet, and I live a long ways from a dealer I can not just go look, so please indulge me:
These "reflectors" have bulbs in them? I was under the impression the film coverings allow them to still reflect at night - is that incorrect?

 

Not funny. We have one of the worst driver eduction 'systems' (if you could even call it a system). If we Americans can get it into our heads that driving is a privelage and not a right, we may finally get on the right track.

Smoked is fine for show and the track, but cops give fix-it tickets for a reason.

 

fix-it ticket for reflectors?
now, thats one i can laugh at!

Ive run my car open header, ive driven my car without plates, ive run slicks on the street, and i'm sure there are many more things ive dont that the DOT doesnt see fit for the road, but i have NEVER got a fix-it ticket for ANYTHING!!!!

god, i ran my vette open header for a month or two every day on the highway and didnt even get pulled over!

 

you might get a fix-it-ticket if the cop is ****... i know a cop was
all over my earlier car when i had dark tint, no front plate, exhaust,
clear corners, etc.

but he let me go after about 15min of just car talk.

i should've had my camera with so someone could take a picture
of us just hanging out in the middle of the road.

 

Thats cool, we need more cops around here like that.

I seriously dont even think the cop would know there were reflectors there unless you told him there were reflectors there!

With mine, you really cant even notice them unless you get up right next to them, it blends right in with the fender arches.