I bought mine from eBay for about 80 bucks and installed it myself--start to finish 45 minutes. I also put on the bonnet stripes--15 bucks and 20 minutes of time.

I have done side graphics on a Wrangler and pin stripes on a PTCruiser and two HD bikes. It just takes some patience, a good wash with Dawn detergent and a sprayer bottle filled with distilled water with 3 drops of dishwashing liquid mixed in.

 

No, Rob did not remove the antenna base. That's why he said it was the toughest part of the install.

 

I was about to tell you your pants are on fire until I looked in your gallery and see yours is a sunroof only graphic.

 

i didn't finish reading all but i got all 6 stripes (front and side) on mine for less than 50bucks (got them for 500 mx pesos) so i think its way to priced

 

I have an appointment for 3/24/09 at Speed Design and you are right. They have moved. I have waited this long so one mre week should not matter. Pictures will follow.

Now if the weather for Thursday is what they are calling for, I might be able to get my blue tooth kit, new switch panel and toggle switch installed.

Jim

 

Very cool !

And thanks for confirming they did move. May come in handy for my next MINI.

Good luck and do not forget to post pics.

 

Not the best picture. I'll have to work on that.

Jim

 

These are better shots.

Jim

 

Thanks for the referral at Speed Design! I'm thinking about doing the bonnet stripes... can you tell me the average cost they would charge?

 

Hey, Jim.... I'm sorry I missed your post before. Wow... very cool !!!
I bet that was a little tricky to install with all the intricate and delicate ends to the vinyl. Were you happy with the job that Rob did for you ?

Are you talking OEM bonnet stripes ? Or viper stripes ? Or something else ?

If it's the OEM-type of stripes, Rob could install those in 15 minutes (I could do them in less than 30). I can't imagine he would charge more than about $20 bucks for that job.

Really, it's so easy, you should consider doing them yourself.

 

I am no pro but install names on my boat like 6 ft long using the wet method this thing lives in the sea and sun with water pressure,i have to remove using a heat gun otherwise it will possibly rip up the paint,so i dont know about degrading the glue using the wet application it sticks pretty darn good.

 

I thought maybe you were out of town or something when you never responded.

Actually John is now doing all the graphic work. I talked to him at length and he really knows his stuff. He does graphics on fleet trucks and race cars and told me that he had noticed that the people with mini coopers always bring the best, top of the line material to work with. He told me he installed my graphic all by himself which blew me away. I questioned him as to how he did that and was amazed at his approach. I would not have thought to approach it that way. Like yours, one small glitch in the very same place. Not even noticable. I told them I would have to wait for the car so when I checked in, John drove me over to the White Marsh Mall and came back to get me once it was finished. I HIGHLY recommend them.

He charged me $150.00 for the graphic and $35.00 for the front and rear bumper stripes. I thought that was more the reasonable.

Jim

 

From what I have learned it depends on the type of material the stripes are made with. Some is breathable and allows the air to escape through the the materal itself. It also allows you to pull it back up to correct small mistakes With this type you DO NOT want to use the wet method.

I beieve most sign lettering is not on this type material.

Jim

 

Oh yeah, JOHN... thanks for correcting me (it's been a while).

Glad you were happy with his work. Yeah, he's really good and has done a lot of work for MINI owners over the last 5, or more, years. If I ever have another big install job, he's the man. And yeah, his rates are reasonable, especially compared to others in our area.

Again, it looks great. I hope to see your MINI in person sometime.

 

I'm thinking about the pinstripes! black and black on my e/b....I'm not sure if i want the stripes on the boots as well. any opinions?

Should I buy my own material from Mike at ac or does John sell them there?I'm a little nervous to do it myself since its very particular and I always think i might put it on crooked or with wrinkles. I did do the black vinyl around the chrome trim but that was very small and easy. Looking at this forum makes me so excited to get my own stripes! like NOW! I shall call to make an appointment.....

 

When I had John, at Speed Design, install my checkered roof, he asked me why I didn't just buy the vinyl from him. (I told him, "hell, I didn't even know you existed until after I bought the vinyl). Anyway...that's how I know you can get your vinyl products from him. Give him a call and find out just to make sure he can do what you want.

As for the boot stripes, I like them. But I'd say the majority of MINI owners do not, since you don't see many with them. It's your MINI, you'll have to decide, of course. Check out the DIY Boot Stripes thread in the 1st Gen mod forum. There's tons of pics in there. Might help you decide.

 

I owe ya for the lead. He told me he had been doing this for eight years and decided to give up law school to keep at it. Perhaps you will see it in person sometime. I'd like to see yours as well. I believe I heard you are headed for the Dragon this year and I plan to make the next one. Maybe then.

Jim

 

Yep, Jim... this will be our second MOTD. We hope to make it in 2010, too. But if you're wanting to see the CR Cooper with the checkered roof, it won't be at the Dragon. We take the JB MCS Convertible down there.

Your best bet to get a look at my CR/Checkered Cooper is if you belong to DC Metro MINIs and we both end up going to one of the events.

And btw, you will LOVE going to the Dragon. It's a blast !!

 

By the time I learned what the Dragon was it was too late to make this years. I have already blocked on time the the one in 2010. I have joined DCMM and perhaps we will catch up there.

Jim

 

Excellent, Jim !

Say, if you can make it, there's a really good event at the end of June. Cherry-picking in Thurmont, MD and a drive that includes Rt 77, along Cunningham Falls.

 

I live about 10 milesd from there and make that drive often. Even do a bit of flyfishing in Hunting Creek. Very nice up there as long an the president remains in DC.

I'll mark that one as well.

Jim

 

Cool. I'll see you there !

This one's not to far for me, either. And I work even closer... over in Frederick.

 

I retired from Ft Detrick and my wife works in Frederick. Are you planning to do the VA Wine Country one?

Jim

 

I'm retired from the Air Force, myself.

No, doesn't look like I'm going to make that event in VA.

 

So does that mean you can help me with the vinyl application instead of me driving up to John? I'm right near Rockville/Gaithersburg