I'm not new to MINI ownership, but I am new to stripes. I'm thinking of getting side stripes on my new O2/W R56. But I've read some posts where people talked about stripes not lasting more than a few years. What does that mean exactly? That they start to fray and must be removed? And if that is the case, are they easily removed and does the paint underneath look different? And are there rules about washing your car with stripes? What is their average "lifespan"? Thanks, everyone!

 

Check with some of the graphics vendors like Cooper Flags (I've used them, they're good). Check the vendor section here at NAM. Vinyl comes in different grades and thicknesses, some reenforced, some not. The quality of the vinyl has the biggest effect on how long they will last and how the color will hold up.

As to fade, if you cover part of the paint and then leave the car out in bright sun for a few years, yep, when you remove the stripes, there will be a difference where the paint under the stripe was protected and the exposed paint faded. Car in the garage, and you might not see a change at all.

Good luck and let us know what you decide and show pictures!

 

The biggest thing is to get a HIGH PREFORMANCE VINYL product. There are many grades of vinyl tape. Even tough the product may say it has a 5 yr life, that does not necessarily mean 5 yr warranty. Some sign shops can cut and install vinyl graphics but they "sometimes" use a film called calander vinyl. This is fine for inside and some outside jobs but on a Automobile it really needs the high preformance vinyl. It will last very long on the car. I have had to fix body shop jobs of wrecked cars and my vinyl will match better than the paint sometimes because the paint has faded some but the tape is still in good shape.
I live here in the desert and we have sunshine 340 days a year and hot temps in the summer. In most places back east and up north the sun is not as severe as here.
If you ever remove the graphics, there may be a slight color difference because the paint under the vinyl has not been exposed to the sun and weather, so it will look "new" so to speak. If you remove the "bonnet" stripes it may be more noticable because of the sun on the hood is much more direct than the sides. So if you stripe the sides and remove them later down the road it will be less difference because the sun is not as direct as the hood or roof.
Most times to remove vinyl, if you heat it up with a heat gun and peal them off they will remove easily leaving little glue. If the tape was a cheap grade it may crack and discolor after a few years, then it is difficult to remove, small chunks at a time at best.
So my advice to you is be sure the company you use has good automotive vinyl, it should be HIGH PREFORMANCE. And then care for your graphics just like you take care of the paint, wash and wax! And enjoy you-a-fying your MINI!
Graphics have a way of making people looking at your carand going :WOW!"
I have worked with auto graphics and stripes and signs for 21 yrs here in southern New Mexico. I hope this helps.
Blake

 

Thank you....you've both been very helpful.