I like MINIs with stripes. But the problem is that they are far too common here in the Indy Metro area. That is why I am going with a set of MightyStripes offset stripes.

 

my cat's breat smells like cat food!

 

Do you realize the only difference in a can of people tuna and a can of cat tuna is the label?

 

That and the lower dolphin content in the people food.

(getting ready for a PETA attack)

 

Go to local sign shop and make sure you get HP Vinyl, it will be made by 3M, Calon, Arlon, Trendmark, etc. Outdoor life is is in the 5-7 yrs range. Been at it for 20+ years and have tried a lot of differerent products but never had good results with less than the best. I coat the stripes with NuFinish in the shade (cool) and it helps make them less likely to spot or stain.

Painted stripes are nice if done at time of repaint. Paint the vehicle the color of the stripes, mask and shoot main color. Re mask stripes and shoot so the stripes are the same level as the paint. Wet sand and then clearcoat. LOTS of work but the results are unbeatable. And of course make REAL sure you like the layout first!

MiniMine's stripes are still a work in progress.....
http://imageevent.com/tl4x40/mini;js...5ig5a1.tiger_s


Tim

 

Since 99.9+% of the MINI owners have vinyl stripes, its amazing you choose to insult all of them since your in the very tiny minority.

Good luck in your choice. Its all about youification and we all are free to choose what we like

 

It may have been intended to be insulting but it came across as pretty funny to me.

Kind on like the "on the edge of forever" location. Over the edge would probably be more correct.:impatient

Maybe we can see some pictures when they get their stripes painted on. Want to bet it doesn't happen?

 

I have to admit that paying for painted stripes is pretty asinine, and what it's going to cost him, he might have done two or three other dress-up modifications for the same price.

 

OK I guess I should chime in. First off vinyl is made a lot better now than it used to be. The clear bra paint gaurd is just really thick vinyl and protects your pant from chips. Because it is so thick you do see the lip though.

Factory stipes are a lot more in price than aftermarket. If you like the "checkmate stripes" I will be making them in a variety of colors. Mini only makes them in silver.

As for rock chips. they are unavoidable unless you have a gaurd protection of some kind whether it be leather or clear bra. Even with the clear coat paint product they make now you still get rock chips. I live in az the home of rock chips. Even with the clear bra I get them. Window too. You will get them in the vinyl too. But the good thing is those can be replaced easy.

I put together Group installs all over the nation. and I can tell you if you are paying $200 to have some stipes put on your getting ripped off. I charge $50 for standard stipe installs for the bonnet.

All in all vinyl is the way to go because it is a lot cheaper and on stuff like stripes you can usual put them on yourself. With paint it cost a lot more and even more money to fix them when they are chipped.

That's my rant for the day. Hope I helped you make the right choice

 

Thanks, dragonflyer. Facts are what I was looking for, and I appreciate your response.

To anyone else who thinks I was trying to insult anyone or elicit any specific response, all I will say is that I am a very disattached person, and I occasionally probe rather vigorously when I want to learn. I realize that I can come off pretty arrogant at times, and as you get to know me (if so, anyway), you'll probably understand why. My goal through this whole thread has not been to insult anyone. It has been to weight the positives and negatives of a particular appearance item. I already know the positive: they look cool. So I tried to structure my queries to try to avoid the "I have stripes, so stripes are good" kind of replies. As has been stated by others, most Minis do have the stripes, and so yes, I did expect a large amount of self-gratifying responses as to whether the stripes are a 'worthwhile' option. However, my goal was not to elicit this response (in point of fact, it was the avoid it, and is why I tried to clarify my request the rather lengthy opening post), but rather to minimize its presence in response to my questions. So if anything, it's quite the opposite of gratification.

But regardless, I appreciate all the information that I can get, and I am honestly happy for those members who are satisfied with the appearance of their car. And I'm sure you can all understand that I would prefer to be among those happy buyers. Hence all the information-picking. The only gratification I seek is in knowing that the car I'm buying will be exactly how I want it to be.

 

What the hell did you just say? And why didn't you say it in English?

 

My best translation:

Some people say that Product X is good to to convince
themselves that they didn't waste their money when they themselves
bought Product X. The author has decided, intentionally, to act a
little bit like a jerk to help reduce the chance of such posers answering
his question and giving him bad advice. He knows that he will probably
get fewer responses to his question by playing the jerk, but the quality
and honesty of the answers will be better and more useful to him.

 

No problem, some of us may have construed the excessive verbiage of some of your post to be an effort to minimize the intelligence of our choice in stripes. Your disattachment was not well know to us prior to your most recent post on this subject and we may have incorrectly assumed that you were at least as well attached as the rest of us.



My condolences and forgiveness and...



I got the vinyl stripes for a very simple reason:



I think they look GOOD!

 

Says the guy with "MCS BRG-W" in his sig!

 

I couldn't resist translating this one either... It was just too much fun.

My translation: "It's hard to avoid pissing people off when you tell them that their taste sucks."

 

Wayyyyyy too many big words here. I'm headin back to the picture forum.

 

I like to give Wanda makeovers every year. She started out stark and stealth. Then she was given a lovely perforated traditional red, white and blue Union Jack sunroof flag. Then that was replaced by a custom silver metallic and black Union Jack sunroof flag, along with chrome bonnet stripes. The after-market PIAAs look even better when accented by the bonnet stripes!

My point is that using vinyl gives me the freedom to change my mind and play with Wanda's appearance. It's fun and not too pricey. If you choose paint, that's fine! I'm interested in seeing your MINI when it is done. Disparaging remarks to others aren't appreciated, effusant....and will only extend your disattached state. This forum is a very friendly community where many of us have made wonderful and deep friendships. Best wishes with whatever you do with your MINI! We WILL demand pix when the time comes!


Clover

 

Clo - I did not think I was making any disparaging remarks. Since it seems the general consensus was otherwise, I'll consider myself warned and simply drop the topic.

'tis a simple misunderstanding and miscommunication.

c'est la vie.