Well it started with 1 chip and now I noticed 2 more today, they are pretty small but there is white under the black stripes (on a pure silver car) some people said use a sharpie to cover it up, but I'm more concerned about protecting the stripes then fixing them at the moment. Any ideas?

Howard

 

Don't drive too close to the car in front

 

I noticed that the edges of my rear bonnet stripes are starting to chip a little.

 

dealer a call and see if they have any ideas? But at this rate in a year my black bonnet stripes might be all white.

 

I have a similar problem. My 05 MCS JCW is Jet Black with white bonnet stripes. I have accumulated some stone chips on the front of my car, including one chip in the white stripe, showing black beneath.

On the most recent road trip from Greenville, I got bottled up between some big semi's through some 1-lane road construction, and a rock skipped across the center of my bonnet!

Before I berated myself too bad about not getting the clear bra, the chip on my bonnet was higher up, so the bra wouldn't have helped anyway.

Now, with the chip in my stripe, I don't want to seal the chip underneath a clear bra, so I haven't figured out how I want to tackle fixing that yet--I do not want to apply white touch-up since the car underneath is Jet Black...perhaps I can find a tiny little tidbit of white vinyl and make a microscopic patch, or just replace the entire stripe???

As for the rock chips, I have bought the factory touch-up paint, which comes as a two-bottle set: Base Coat and Clear Coat. I also ordered Langka, the Blob Eliminator product, to ensure that my touch-up job is 100% professional. Leveled and clear-coated, my stone chips should be undetectable when finished. I've heard of the Langka system for many years now, but this will be my first hands-on experience with the stuff. I'll post my results.

After I get everything fixed, I believe I need that clear bra after all.

 

I'm REALLY considering the clear bra

 

When we got our MINI, there was some slight dis-coloration, I think from when the dealer did a half-assed job of installing them. It looks like the stripes were installed over a water-spotted bonnet. (I hate when the dealer washes my MINI!)

I ordered new stripes from MightyStripe, black with silver outline, that will look much better then the original black with white outline. The new stripes only cost about $35 and are getting installed in place of the old ones at the same time I have a body and paint shop buff out some scratches in the clear-coat.

The point is, it's not too expensive to just replace the stripes.

A guy in our local MINI club has his stripes on a magnetic backing, and he only uses them for car shows and such, not for every day use, saving their appearance from the drudges of the daily road.

 

Calizeph has the right idea. The stripes are just vinyl and will only last a few years. Thankfully they are easy to replace and do not cost much. You can find black and white vinyl (for touch ups) at any sign or hobby shop. Or just replace them. I have seen them selling on the net for as little as $10.

 

Tried the Langka today. Can't say I'm a big fan. It levels the chips as advertised, but the rubbing dulled surrounding paint. I spent a considerable time spot polishing to restore the luster, and feel I'd be better off with very, very judicious application of the touch-up rather than blob and remove as advertised by Langka. May be less of an issue on metalic or lighter cars, but not for my Jet Black MCS.

 

I had this same issue with my hood's black paint showing through the torn/chipped white vinyl stripe.

I solved this with a new hood, white stripes painted on, and a clearbra to protect everything. :D

 

You guys are stressing over messed up STICKERS? Come on - replace them if you need to - whoopdie doo basil!

 

^^^ I agree. count 3 seconds from the car in front at expressway speeds.

 

I touch up my stripless BRG with the OEM paint from the dealer.Takes some time and effort,but the chips go away,and the sheet metal is protected.