This morning I ran into my fence backing out of the driveway and was wondering how much I’m looking at to fix this? I would just leave the scratch but on my brothers car his started rusting and it looks bad. The reflecter also managed to get broke.

 

That scratch will not rust, its in the bumper which is not metal.

The light will need to be replaced.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/63132751333/
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/63132751334/
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-helix-pa...ni07rsl-r~hlx/

 

Ok can I put anything on it to make it look better or is it best to leave it as it is? I have no experience with paint, body work, or anything like that.
Are those all the same light in the links? I’d like it to look oem and match the other side so I’m willing to pay a little more.

 

The black trim is unpainted, so not much you can do there. Maybe search on YouTube for a guide on buffing our black trim? For the bumper, you can try to apply some touch up paint to make it less visible...

 

Ok thank you for your help I appreciate it. Is there somewhere to find the color that I have. It’s called silver crystal or something close to that.

 

The paint code will either be on the driver side door jamb, or the passenger side strut tower.

https://www.automotivetouchup.com/paint-codes/mini.htm

 

Its will be like 3 digit on the code and if you search our site with that code you will find the touch up paint by MINI or by BavAuto Touch up paint.

 

Ok thank you all very much for the help. Do all cars have the paint code in those areas or is that a mini thing?

 

How to find paint codes for MINI:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...aint-code.html Under the hood.




Door Jam sticker on driver side, 3 digit code "A62" on this sticker for example. Right under the words Passenger Car




Once you have that i can tell you what you need

 

I found a used fender trim with reflector for $60 is that a good price or should I just buy new?
ok thank you, I’m currently at work but will look and post what it is once I go on my lunch break.

 

If you are OK with the small scratch on the fender trim, a new reflector will be much less than $60

 

I was looking at reflectors and they’re all about $35-$40 before shipping so that’s why I was just considering doing the whole thing.

 

If you buy used make aure the arch trim clips on the back are ok and what they are set into, some places pull those off and damage the clips or the clip holders built into the trim. Then the trim looks like a slight Bacon (wavy) pattern when installed.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...-/51779801883/

 

Is there anything special with removing them. I was going to install them myself on my car and was going to google how later today.

 

Trim tool helps and making sure you start from the corner and use a towel or microfiber cloth to not hurt the paint.. Line up and snap the new one on. I would do it on a warm day in the sunshine (FL should have that) so the plastic will flex more. Unplug that light and install in reverse.

Trim tool:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...ieces/phr-05s/

 

Ok thank you very much for your help I appreciate it.

 

My paint code is B12/7.

 

Hello,

We have this: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bavarian...ppminib12~bav/

Or Genuine MINI 51912360717 Crystal Silver Metallic B12 Looks like the 2 tubes below just dont have a real picture of it yet.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...h/51912360717/




All others: https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...mini_touch_up/

 

Ok thank you very much for the help.

 

I HIGHLY recommend you get the paint from automotivetouchup.com

the stuff from the manufacturer parts suppliers is IMO always crap (ditto what's at 'autozone' etc). The color will be right but the paint is always thick as heck and makes decent application very difficult.

Get the stuff from Auto' and it is thin and much easier to work with. THEN ignore the brush in the cap, but go to an art supply store (Micheal's, Hobby Lobby) and get a VERY FINE art brush to apply the paint. You do a MUCH better job. (Have some mineral spirits for cleaning up) .... You also need to buy CLEAR to top the color . . . apply LIGHT coats and build up to the desired coverage. Apply too much paint and you get a blob.

I apply with a 'micro q-tip' when doing chips cuz you don't want to overfill the ding (AA battery for size reference)



For the arch, if you don't replace it you can make it less visible by carefully sanding to 'soften the edges' of the gouge .... don't sand the entire area!!!! Just carefully work the edges of the cut .... you can practically make it disappear ....

 

Glad to help.

 

Great idea here. Also, for the integral color black plastic, perhaps a bit of applied heat from a carefully handled heat gun can also help soften up the gouge a bit and eliminate any fuzzies.

 

Thank you all for the help I really appreciate it. I had never done anything related to this so the detailed instructions were very helpful. I’m getting the trim on Monday and will make sure to double check all the clips are good. Going to be buying the touch up once payday rolls around.

 

I'm going to try the automotivetouchup recommendation here. I'm also painting a bumper so unsure - do I need the primer and clear coat bottles? I have a chip about the size of a quarter so figured the 1/2 oz. would be enough. I was planning to get 1/2 ounce paint and the clear coat but want to be sure. Thanks!

 

if the blemish went down to raw plastic or metal you need primer

the car paint is 'base clear system' ... and that's what automotivet/up sells you. Base has the color but does not gloss & is actually pretty 'weak' ... gloss and strength come from the clear (note the picture of the MINI stuff in post #18 ... two bottles: base and clear)

a blemish the size of a quarter is kinda big to be gone at by brush ...... don't expect miracles .... personally when the spot is that big I use an airbrush .....