What I can't figure out is what pieces receive what color. Do I do DS throughout? Do I just paint the pieces around the projector and the other trim pieces DS and the rest silver? Or do I switch those colors so the backgrounds gets DS and the trim pieces get silver. Ugh....it's a big decision to me.

 

Do I need anything then beside the blue and white paint? Primer? If so, do you recommend a special type?

Thanks


Brendan, I'm planning to match the body color best I can on every part BUT the projector...that will be white (see sig for why). I may buy the actual matching Hyper Blue paint but that's more expensive and may not be necessary under the lens. I assume it will hold up...

 

I can't wait to see pictures of how everyones lights turn out. Wish I was still there, I'd be game to Joey Mod my lights.

 

Dude, how's Korea?

 

Well it's still here. It isn't too bad I guess just lots of work and not much else to do. And worse of all...no MINI!

 

Bring paint and a grey primer (preferably for plastic)
sandpaper (150 grit) or a cordless dremel with the flat disc wire brush wheel if you want it to go fast.
Go to target and get some thin outdoor double stick tape too (grey stuff with a red backer from 3m)- for behind the rings they have some there now and it will need to be replaced
Bring a good sized box to spray into as well.

 

Cool. The rings themselves are being swapped for vinly wrapped ones that weekend as well so...

I have a Dremel, but not cordless. I'll ask around

 

I have a little dremmel but it's not cordless either. I have double stick tape and sandpaper in my garage though. Ross, you wanna go halves on primer?

 

Sure...that works. Won't we have power available at the event (so that cordless is not necessary)?

 

Depends where the actual work is done, but there is power on the parking garage roof.

 

Couldn't find any primer so I bought some satin grey Kryon Fusion paint for plastic...the Ace guy said it would work fine. OK?

The disc brush sounds useful but there are several types. I have the real thin carbon steel brush (see here)...is what you mean? I'm concerned that it will damage/melt the plastic...

I have Hyper Blue enamel en route from Minspeed.net so all I need now is the white paint and I'm ready to go...

(I know I'm being a bit **** but the last 5 DIY jobs I've tackled have all gone south so I'm trying to be sure)

 

That's fine on the paint the only reason I suggested the grey is the mini primer is grey and a factory top coat color would match best with the same base.

That is the brush I used-with a light touch, the plastic is pretty durable and it doesn't take much to strip the hair thin chrome. You can gouge the plastic if you're not careful I suppose but enough paint will cover that . We may be able to do it with denatured alcohol or mineral spirits. I just like using power tools.

Looks like we are up to 3 sets anyone want to have us over to use an oven, electricity and a garage with the door down to kill the chance of dust/pollen (which was bad last year). Then we can bake them one after the other, pull them apart, strip and paint and all be done in about 2-3 hours. Rather than doing them one after the other and hoping the suns heat is enough.

By the way who has what lights? I have only done facelift cars: 2 '05 xenons and one '06 regular. The pre-facelift cars supposedly are nearly impossible by comparison.

 

I agree that a garage and oven would be much much better for the install. My garage is kind of a pit, so if someone else has a garage that is more equipped that would be awesome. Otherwise, I could try and do a little cleaning beforehand and make some room.

I have '06 Xenons by the way.

 

I have '06 Xenon's as well...Agro I'm afraid has an 03.

I may have garage space (limited workbench space however) but I live across town. We have two over-under ovens, but they're small (maybe two lights will fit in each but I doubt it).

Just curious...If the sun will bake one set, why can't it bake three sets all at once? We can use our rooms to get out of the environment?

 

My regular oven holds one at a time on a cookie sheet (I like to keep some distance from all preheated metal in the oven).

You don't need much workspace just enough room for a box to catch the overspray and a place to sit the light parts not being painted (front seat).

Its up to you guys where we tackle this I was suggesting an oven because I KNOW it will warm them up more than enough. We can take a shot at the first light on the garage/in a room. If it doesn't look like its going to be easy to pull them apart we can adjust on the fly. Hell a room hair dryer should work if the nuclear furnace of the sun isn't hot enough.

 

I have 03 halogens, and want the inside of my lights to be black. I can bring some kind of box to spray in. How big do you want it?
I also have a spray can of Krylon black paint that I used to do a crappy job of spraying a bonnet scoop once.
Do we need some kind of silicone sealant to re-seal the lights when they're done?

 

So will everyone want to split the cost of EVERYTHING? You would just get your own paint for whatever color your joey mod will be. Or is it not that expensive and we should just pick everything up ourselves?

 

I will try my best on these but make no promises I've heard they're nearly impossible but then again my VW Golf headlights are supposed to be the same and I did those.

In most cases no because you're just softening up the existing silicone removing the lens and reversing you don't lose any silicone. Bring some rtv silicone just in case yours are a pain. I'll bring my dremel so you guys won't need to come up with one. (as well as all the other tools needed)

 

I doubt anyone wants blue or white so I bought my own as well as some gray plastic Krylon for primer that I have no problem sharing. Also have some 2-sided tape.

 

This sounds like a cool mod to do to the new minis. But like some other people have said I would be worried about putting the lights in the oven. If you need it I do have a heat gun you guys can use.

 

I'm good with just splitting everything. I'll bring my heat gun too. That's a good idea Chris.

 

Heat gun might help with yours agro but a heat gun will heat a surface way above 230 degrees pretty quick where an oven takes 6 to get it where the silicone is soft but you can still handle the lights. I'd use a heat gun only as a last resort vs. an oven.

 

If all of you need garage space I offered it when I originally started this thread along w/an oven and electrical outlets. the offer is still there if you want it? I live in Mountains Edge...have plenty of room, no work bench but maybe some body could bring a folding table.

 

I'm unable to leave Palace Station during AMVIV, but we could remove my lights and you could take them with you if you wanted to go that route.

 

I'm at Mountain's Edge too, but room is a tad bit limited at my house. Are there any risks with putting these things in the oven?

Where can I get Dark Silver spray paint? Or am I supposed to go to Home Depot and pick a generic grey? Is there a preference over glossy, semi-gloss, and flat??

Ross, I'll pay you any cash you need for letting us borrow your stuff. I really appreciate it.