Hi all,

I've been a MINI owner since July 2006, but just joined the forum (though I have been an avid visitor). I've gotten to the point where I want to start updating/changing things on my MINI, and I need some help.

MINI Type S (R53) - Chili Red

I have white bonnet stripes on the front of my MINI that where part of my order from the factory--so all original. Over the years, they've become covered in brown-ish/red spots and marks that previously could be removed with some elbow grease, but are now permanent (see attached picture). Time for them to finally be replaced.

I've had some issues with non-dealers working on my MINI, so I called my local dealership (MINI of Stevens Creek) to get some pricing.

White Bonnet Stripes Only: $150
White Bonnet Stripes with Installation: $350

I thought this would cover the removal, too. I was wrong.

Removal of Old Bonnet Stripes: $100

So before I throw $450 at the dealership, does anyone how some advice?

I've read other posts and it looks like all I need is heat and time. But since my current bonnet stripes seem to be badly damaged, I feel like they might chip as I peel or pull some paint with it as I pull them off. And before someone says I should buy new bonnet stripes from some other brand, I'm pretty big on using the originals from MINI.

Thanks in advance for you help!

 

My bonnet stripes just came off after letting the car sit in the sun. I ordered new stripes from edecals.com. I ordered white checkerboard stripes, 6x20 for about 25 dollars. Some time and careful application and they look great.

 

DIY !!

Removal can be a PIA but not $100 worth. Let the MINI sit out in the sun for a while. Have a blow drier handy. Start with the edge near the windshield, get a corner loose and gently start pulling while you move the hair drier on low speed, back and forth where you are working. With luck, the stripe will come off in one piece. If not... minor headache will be coming soon, take some Ibuprofen as soon as the stripe rips.

Clean off all the extra adhesive using Goof Off or similar product.

There are several threads around here that will explain the dry-install and the wet-install process. I prefer the dry install.

I won't say it's the easiest job in the world but it's far from the hardest. I wouldn't pay anyone $75 to remove and install my stripes, that's how easy I find it to be.

 

just removed the white stripes off of mine, wait till they get warm and get the goof off / wax and grease remover ready! consider it without stripes too, mine looks way better!

they may leave barely noticeable 'clean' areas where the stripes were - this could be good guidance to put on new stripes if you wanted to put on another set.

 

Awesome, thanks for the responses everyone.

Quick follow-up: Has anyone had trouble trying to apply new stripes in the same exact location of the previous one? Lining it up perfectly, etc.?

 

Piece of cake. You can actually put tape along the edge of the old stripes before you remove them and then use that as a guide for the new ones.

Or don't use the tape, just measure, measure again, and measure a third time before you install the new ones.

 

My husband's 2004 MINI had cracking/chipping stripes when he bought it in February. He bought a cheap tool called a pinstripe eraser pad for about $15 at a local parts store. It took him 45 minutes to remove the stripes.

He bought new stripes from www.aesthitccreaions.com (they no longer specialize in MINI products, for some reason). They were cheap as well. He installed them himself (boot & bonnet) in less than an hour.

I just bought myself some stripes from www.mightystripes.com. A little pricey, but lots of fun choices! I got the bubble design They'll be going on in a couple days. My car never had stripes, so the process should be easier than my husband's was

Good luck!

 

If you can't do it yourself, take it to a sign shop, or a place that does vehicle wraps, and ask them for racing stripes. As long as you're getting new ones, why not something 'new'?

Like viper style racing stripes, or whatever else gets you interested.