Most of my modifications have been paint, but I figured I'd post them anyways

1) antenna delete about $3 I was't able to fill the hole evenly so I used 2 foam "foot" pads for furniture from ACE hardware (one pad inside and one side outside w/ the sticky sides facing eachother. 3 mo. w/ no leaks

PS: the roof IS matte black (plasti-dipped)

2) blacked out everything w/ plasti-dip which is about $5 a can


3) painted the letters on my tires white w/ tire paint from autozone $8


4)replaced Cooper S w/ R53 (letters were ordered from bimmian.com) I ordered the "shadowline" (black) badge for the BMW 530i and bought an R (chrome, but I painted the R red on the face) I want to replace that R w/ the R from an Audi RS6 (a lot of people ask about this)

 

Wow love the ideas great thread

 

I've been wanting to do that to my tires for a long time. What kind of prep do the tires need for that stuff to stay on, other than being really clean? I've used scrubbing bubbles and a stiff bristled brush on them and that seems to work.

 

when I did mine, I took the wheel off the car so it would be easier and to clean the rims better. I just rinsed it w/ water and scrubbed the lettering with a wet rag and let it dry. I just did it yesterday, so i'm not sure how it will hold up, but I did all four tires w/ one little dupli-color pen, just make sure to do at least 2 really thick smooth coats, it's much more noticeable after 1 day of it wasn't thick enough, I'm gunna have to redo 2 of my tires. also, I lightly touched it to a curb and it took a bit of the paint off.

I found this about whitewalling your tires, but I would think the only NECESSARY step is step 1 when using this pen for the letters. I'm sure there's directions on the back of the pen too.

 

Okay, thanks muchly.

 

I bought these from Ebay before I learned of the Lowes deal. He probably buys them from Lowes and re-packages them. With the 05, I ha to caps left over...

 

Just did the garage door splitter mod

 

I'll put pics up in the morning, or maybe afternoon

 

Yesterday I went out and found my right side marker (directional) light hanging out of the fender. The little plastic clip had broken off. I called the dealership and the assembly p/n 63137166014 (White lens) w/ bulb is $21.00 + shipping or 120 mile r/t drive.

My dorky cheapskate fix: A little dab of RTV (silicone) on the underside of the lens holds it in perfectly, and if I ever need to change the bulb will be easy to remove.

 

Yellow tinted headlights - $18.00

 

Subscribed

 

 

Nice job

Was looking into this as well last week. I may use Marine grade planking though instead and router a lip ...somehow.

Now just give yours a coat of HOme Depot plasti dip

 

Thanks! It was fairly easy to manufacture. I used 1/8''X3'' aluminum stock, rough cut it with a saw and finished it with a hand file.
I think I'll give the Home Depot Plasti dip a try.

 

I bought the Ultrik CAI with K&N filter. instead of buying the piece of the firewall that is cut out for better airflow I took a piece of tin and put it behind the wall so i didn't cut the brake line and used a dremel tool to cut out the section. I also one balled the exhaust for 30 bucks, welded not clamped..

 

After spending my $300.00 limit this month on MINI mods and still a whole week to go, I came up with this one......Cost = $0.00 Time: 10 mins.....This is not only cheap, it's fast and looks great too!

Checkered Rear view Mirror

Somwhat annoyed over the fact that the checkered rear view mirror caps are not offered for pre 7/2004 model R53's. I came up with this idea today.

When you buy 3M Style pin stipetape it usually comes with a 2"x4" square housed in the front of the bubble pack it comes in, to show the color of the tape. Fortunately, I had two of these packages laying around, each still had a silver 3M card inside....

Measured out 8 equal size squares on each piece, cut them out using sharp
scissors.

Cleaned the back of rear view mirror with alcohol prep wipe.

I then measued the back of the mirror and mapped out a "dry run" of the cut blocks on a flat surface. Took it into the car, twisted the mirror so back was facing me, checked it for level, and began applying from center are of mirror outwards. Then used razor blade to cut out around sensor opening. Whole thing Took 10 mins.....


(left click to enlarge photos)

 

^ Nice

 

My MINI is 5 years old, and like many cars I have owned, I was having some difficulty keeping certain black ABS plasic parts of my MINI looking new/clean. Specifically, the nook and cranies of the 6-7 ABS grills we have.

I have been using this method of keeping auto parts looking show room new, and figured since I have never had any issues with this product or application so far, it was ok to pass on to my friends here.

I use DUPICOLOR's "Clear Top Coat" spray in a can.....It is designed to work on plastic parts.

My mesh grilles always look awesome, and never need any more applications of Armorall or Black WoW type products.

Arrows point to areas I clear coated on the MINI.

Lower front grille, both cowl hood and rear lower valance grilles.

Click onto photo to enlarge please.....

 

Thought Chrome Center line of OEM Scuttle was too distracting...So I blacked it out...... Sort of makes the "S" stand out more and makes it appear longer....

PICT2342b.jpg?t=1226516740


PICT2343.jpg?t=1226515542

 

Where did you find the amber tint for 18 bucks?

 

Just get the real deal. Radial T/A's come with the white cast into the rubber.

 

Wow are raised white letters 'back'? I remember the BFG Radial T/As from high school.

 

I'm only into them cause i'm a musclecar guy.

I don't think they are really popular anymore.

 

This thread needs to continue!

I've decided to do:

The Home Depot garage weatherstripping splitter
The Lowe's Door Plug Hole Filler Mod

Would like to see some more things! I know we're creative as MINI owners! Let's see some more stuff!

 

OK, time to chime in. All the following "mods" for under $25 total!

Beltline blackout kit: $3.50 or so. Scotch Super 33+ electrical tape (Ace, Home Depot or Lowe's). The Super 33+ is the only electrical tape that's cold/hot rated, the proper satin shade of black to match the trim, and comes back off when you want it. to. One roll will do 3-4 Minis. Apply one end with some hanging over, don't stretch much if at all to apply, and cut the ends to fit. 15-20 minutes should get you a job well done. A "must do mod" for R56s with their higher beltline. Yes, it comes off clean, no residue during summer. At least for me, YMMV.


Checkered Mirrors: $6 for 2 square feet of black vinyl from a sign shop, a laser level and sticky-back food wrapping to size it up, some scissor cuts & trimming, and thar ya go. Blues on the garage radio and 2 hours later:






Headlight anti-glare eyelids: Again with the vinyl, this time free & silver, prevents glare from the projector beams in heavy snow. Next time: black, with silver over (would prevent more glare from those "vents" in the lights):


Say no more: Better than RainX, lasts longer, same effect but no streaking:


A $5 pinewood derby (actually technically "pinecar") kit, a Dremel, and a few hours... bring 'em to MOTD and race on the PittStopMINI track!


Hmm, there are probably more...