I have been checking on a few threads about using vinyl tape to black out the front grille and finally got around to trying it. I don't think it turned out too badly!



And now a side view:



And here is a shot showing off the latest waxing. I 've been using ICE and ICE detailer. Very easy and very shiny.




OK, one more shot with my dog:

 

cute doggy! and the grill looks nice too, stands out nicely on your PW

 

Nicely done. It really stands out on the PW.

Good Job!!

...Les

 

Love it! Good Job!

 

Looks great!

You sure you didn't make the dog do any of the work? Poor dog looks mighty tired.

 

That's exactly what I was thinking!

Looks nice.

 

that looks great!! i would like to do that to my PW also.. i hear its easy to do; would you agree?.. and also what vinyl tape did you use. i have no idea on where to get it.

 

I bet the dog was supervising the work. A good pet's job is never finished!

The grille looks great.

 

one more person here that thinks it looks very cool

 

That looks very nice, never thought of changing the color of my grill until I saw yours. I don't have a soft top but I do have a PW.

 

I love that look.

What tape did you use and where did you get it?

 

Lookin good

 

Wow, that looks great.

I just got a PW MCa with a dark blue roof...I don't know if blacking out the grill like that would look as sharp as it does with the black roof.

I must say, you have fine taste!

Pepper white rocks!

MINIMEG

 

It really was very easy. I used Trimbrite Blackout Tape which I bought from PepBoys for $5.99. It is 1 3/8" x20' which is the perfect size for the slats. (You can also find it on the internet if you do a google search.)

This is how I did it:
1) Wash the slats thoroughly
2) Fill spray bottle with water and about 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent.
3) Cut tape slightly longer than the slat.
4) Spray a slats LIGHTLY with the water. You might want to remove some with a microfibre cloth
5) Rather than starting at the end of a slat, I found it easier to start at the center, stretching the vinal tape toward either side of the slat, pressing out air bubbles as I moved along. You remove the tape backing a little at a time as you do this.
6) When you get to the end of the slat, fold the tape (with backing) and crease it. You can then cut it easily with sharp scissors. Be a little generous so that you don't come up short.

Potential issues:
1) Make sure the slats are only slightly damp--otherwise you will get bubbles. Also the tape will not stick effectively until most of the water evaporates.
2) Spraying the tape helps it from sticking to itself. But don't spray too much because then it won't stick to the slat until it is somewhat dry
3) I found that starting at one end of a slat didn't work for me--by the time I got to the other end, I couldn't stretch the tape enough to accomodate the curve of the slat.
4) Some bubbles are inevitable. Wait a bit and press them out. If they don't press out completely, ***** them with a pin and push out the air. Voila!

It took me about 90 minutes to finish but I had a lot of help from my 11 year old daughter and my dog. If I didn't have them, it probably would have taken me less than an hour.

 

Looks really good. Now, to finish the look, you need to blacken the boot handle.

 

I like . This may become a project for me on my pw, thanks for the tips, it's easier to learn from someone elses mistakes .

Love your dog!

 

Looks really, really nice!

 

I think it looks great, but your dog dosn't seem impressed.

 

Thrilled to see another PW vert! Not too many around. That's why we like it. We're ordering one with a Green top and dark green leather (local, aftermarket). May also get the "V" type bonnet stripe in dark green to match top. What do you think?

 

I have seen a few PW cabrios, but none were MCS. Also, they all have black stripes. I've never seen a PW with a green top, but what you decribe sound really nice. With the aftermarket seats, yours will definitely be unique.

Have you thought about tan seats? I've seen them in a BRG/BRG cabrio and they looked really hot. I think they would contrast nicely if you have a PW with a dark green top and dark green V bonnet stripes.

 

Very nice....I might have to consider that on my PW/B

 

You have to wonder why grill color is not one of the options that MINI can give. It just looks too good not to be an option. MINI could add to the bottom line.

 

Any chance of closeup pictures?

 

I'll try to take some and post them later this week.

 

Sort of combining two thread topics: the black/chrome bonnet stripes would look great with the blacked out grille on your car.