The local mini dealership sent a customer’s car to us to have some trim work painted. We painted the trim and the car came back to have the calipers painted. I tried to talk them out of it (since I think powdercoating would be better) but the customer was steadfast in wanting it painted.

While we were at it, we painted the rotors. Our dealership is pretty open minded about trying new things. Hopefully in the next week or so, you’ll see some custom paint on another mini they’re doing.

First, the black rockers and wheel flares. It actually looks better than I thought it would.



The paint progression...































Of course, I accidently deleted the final product. I’ll go retake pics today but you get the idea...


Mark

 

The black plastic trim looks really nice.

 

+1

I really need to paint my rotors...

 

Very Very nice. you do all of their bodywork??? I've been thinking about having the tape stripes on the bonnet replaced and have them painted on instead

 

Did you airbrush or rattle can the brakes? And the Chrome trim have you had any chipping problems with painting peoples trim. I had mine painted and am having chipping issues.

 

Shouldn't this be posted in the R58 forum (as that's a Coupe and not a R56 hatchback)???

 

We do a ton of the Hendrick dealership's work. Acura is our biggest account but we do them all.


We actually spray it on with a hvlp gun.. though bc/cc isn't as good as powdercoating, it's a hell of a lot better than rattle can.
If the parts are prepped correctly, the paint will stick. Having said that, the chrome is a harder surface and if a chip hits it, it won't be as forgiving as a urethane bumper. I always tell my customers to get a clear bra put on the parts.



Opps, I actually meant to post there... I'm so use to posting in this section, I guess I just naturally came here.

Oh well... doesn't matter if it's a coupe, the flares and rotors are the same.


Mark

 

Do you clear bra trim pieces after you paint them?

 

Looks nice but man I couldn't imagine touching up the bottom of the painted wheel arches all the time. Those are going to get absolutely destroyed on a daily driver!

 

I've had mine painted for a few months and they still look as good as new. I'm sure I'll have to touch them up after this winter though.

 

Those black wheel arches and rocker panels look so NICE! I want that!

 

It will be fine if it's a quality paint job. It's not any different than having body colored trim (which btw is a factory option for the aero kit) and I haven't seen complaints that it gets destroyed. In most cars, the wheel arch is just part of the fender and those areas don't get any more beat up than the rest of the car.

 

Thanks for posting it here, wouldn't have seen it probably if posted in Coupe. My hatch is murdered out, except for the center of the rotors. Been wanting to do that. How hot do the rotor hubs get, I'm thinking that it needs to be done with high temp paint?

 

This is an A+++ looking car, saw it last week in person at the dealership. We went up to check on something and MA took us out to show us the paint job. We are thinking about doing ours that way when it get in! It makes the plastic look like metal.

 

Nope, I send the stuff out for the clear bra.

In answer to questions about chipping, rkw is correct. If the job is done correctly, it will last better than someone that rattle cans it but let’s be clear about this... nothing is impervious to rock chips...


HTH’s,

Mark

 

Great Info, I am about to do all my plastic to Midnight Black. Then clear bra will be applied after it cures.