I have an 06 mini s with the stripes on the hood. I am looking to take them off but i am worried about the paint fade. If any one has taken off their stripes, is there any advice on if its to late to take them off with out noticeable fade in the paint or if it will just buff out??? I live in Germany (Ramstein area) its not real sunny here but it is 3-4 years old. Thanks. -Brent

 

I have an 03 MCS which had stock bonnet stripes. Removed them in 2008 because of permanent water stains.

I have some shadowing from removing the stripes which can be seen from certain side angle.....So basically the area under the stripes is a shade darker.

Removed them easily with hair dryer and a steady tug.

Your MINI is only 3 yrs old, so you may have better luck than I did.

(RU stationed at the AFB there ?)

 

If you do have any paint fade, the covered area will catch up with it within several months.

BTW, 3 years at Ramstein AB (HQ USAFE/LG) and 4 years at Sembach back when it had a flying mission. Thanks for serving (if I'm assuming correctly).

 

As easy as they are to remove they are to replace, after polishing if the fade is bad go to a sign maker and have them cut two stripes,apply with soapy water slide them into place and squegee out the water with a plastic applicator presto.

 

If he doesn't want stripes, why would he slap two more on just to cover the unfaded area ? It'll fade soon enough and he'll have the MINI he's looking for.

And I see we have another fan of wet application.

 

I removed the oem stripes from my '05 MCS last summer. They peeled off very easily and there was no noticable paint fade. Go for it!

 

Have had mine off for almost a year now, so far there has been no change. Maybe I need to park her in a tanning booth.

 

I agree, these stripes properly applied are a cinch. I used to use a schootch of liquid detergent in the water sprayer too, but have since changed to using the same amount of baby shampoo.

Seems to works lots better because no initial soap film remains under the stripes/decals. Give that try

I have a new stripe kit to put on as you suggested. But it has still been tooo cold to apply them here.

 

I can't speak from personal experience. Just from what I've read others say on this board in two and a half years. Maybe it's the color of your MINI that is taking the previously-striped area longer to fade.

 

I just peeled mine today, April 30, 2011. Easy to get off with just a hairdryer, as was suggested earlier, then a rubdown with GooGone. My paint color is dark silver (or gray, whatever) and there is just a very slight discoloration under the stripes. I'll wait until the area has a chance to get completely clean and then weatherbeaten - maybe I'll try buffing the bonnet if it bugs me at all. Ultimately, respraying the bonnet wouldn't be such a big deal. Even adding new stripes is always an option. Mine (black) were pretty faded and chipped up.

Looks so much better (and more "serious") without them.