I was interested n these as a preventative measure: we leased the latest MINI and my cars gain 'mysterious rashes' that *might* be attributable to other lovely drivers in the family. The prospect of rashed wheels on a lease annoys me.

That said, speaking to the comments about them flying off the tyres, I note very few comments from actual users complaining about failure. I would think, if that was a problem with much regularity you'd either see a lot of complaining, or the product off the market. Don't forget the Forum Principle: people post occasionally when things are awesome, regularly when dissatisfied, and go mute in between...

I used white-wall appliques on my old Karmann Ghia, which looked excellent and held on for YEARS before the weather got to em. I wouldn't hesitate.

 

Tickled with my RimBlades. I like my wheels but unfortunately they had a few blemishes which have magically disappeared.
I see that you mentioned white-wall appliques. Had them years ago, and I've searched and searched for them, with no luck.

 

I remember something similar several years (about 20-25) ago. I like the look of the Rim Blades, but I don't think I'll be using them. However, I have several Go Badges products (seat wraps, neck wrests, interior door handle covers, badge holder, wheel badges, and cup holder badges). They are all very high quality, and their customer service is outstanding. I have no reason to believe that the Rim Blades are anything less than top quality.

 

[QUOTE=ASKtheteach They are all very high quality, and their customer service is outstanding.

 

Those aren't bad. They have a bit of functionality rather than just the "look" of coloring your rims lip. Motorcycles run rim tape, i don't see any major difference. I say get them and do a review for us.

 

Order today so I'll definitely write something up once I install them and then again after they've been on for a while

 

In hand but awaiting a free day to install...

 

Make sure you give it a couple days to cure before you take it for a spirited ride. I did my install in the dead of winter and did not give it time to cure and slung two of them. When I replaced those and gave it proper cure time I had zero issues. Patience is the key to success. Good luck!

 

I installed blue rimblades on my CMS about 2 months ago. Installment went smoothly and took about an hour. I was extra careful and deliberate in cleaning the area where adhesive is applied to the wheel. They are adhered very firmly, I don't think they will come off in normal use. They look great with my blue car.

My only complaint is that brake dust sticks to them and is darn hard to clean off. I wish they were made of a much more easily cleaned material.

 

I've seen 2 cars with rim blades. I have to say to my eye they look sharp. My only question is, are they destroyed when new tires are mounted?

 

Any pics of them on a car with black wheels? I want to dip my wheels black but I also wanted a bit of contrast.

 

Pure, I'll be putting mine on soon. I have anthracite OEM 17s and am applying the black rimblades... they're just waiting for a free morning...

 

I finally put mine on. They were pretty easy. I wish there was a tool that fit over the edge of the wheel and rolled along to help get some good, even pressure on them....would make me feel more comfortable that I got good, consistent contact. I like the look of them. Kind of fun and easy to change if I decide I want to.

 

Those look great! Would a window screen install tool work?

 

It might help. I didn't even thing of that....I was thinking something with a roly wheel in the middle with something to press the edges down completely. It would give more leverage and consistency for the center pressure where most of the sticky stuff is and then press the edges down consistently. I had to go back over and repress with my fingers all along the edges to get it all. Hopefully, I did a good job. I'll try to remember to post updates of success or problems.

 

Screen tool is a good idea!

I'm planning on installing mine tomorrow...

 

That looks awesome! I like black wheels, but unless you have thin spokes, they look like a mass of black from afar. This gives them a good amount of definition.

 

Folks, how do you clean your rim blades? What do you use? I'm getting frustrated. Mine are only 3 months old, but the effort cleaning them is becoming too much. The nice blue has turned almost black because of dirt & brake dust. I found bug/tar remover with a fingernail brush works the best so far, but it is still a chore.

 

How about using simple green with a sponge applicator?

 

I just put mine on so I don't know yet. It says warm soapy water. Appears it may need more than that based on your request for help Bluebrat. I'll be watching for tips and share if I find something that works well.

 

Redhotz, I tried simple green. It works, but takes multiple applications and much elbow grease. So far, everything I have tried takes as much time to clean just the rim blades as I spend on the rest of the MINI. Warm soapy water takes even longer.

 

Their claims about easy cleaning do appear to be ambitious. Further, they have introduced a new product to market at least as a 'coming soon' item on their UK site, that promises, among its other benefits, to have an easy-clean coating. So that says something about the other products.

Overall, I like that they exist, and I prefer them to curb rash, particularly when I'm not the only driver of our family car. I will say finding the right spot to cut the blades is challenging due to stretch. If I could do it again, i'd be more conservative and allow a slight overlap or bunching at the ends where the rimblade meets rimblade, so that as it settles and the stretch eases up, it lands together just so. All of my cuts which looked to be just right on day of install have pulled apart a small amount, say 1/16" to 1/8".


This isn't the best photo, but regardless, black rimblades on the 'anthracite' wheel, which is essentially a matte charcoal/off black, looks flawless and virtually undetectable, especially if you didn't know to look for them. That said, on the glossy black rim MINI sells, they might blend into the tyre rubber, or they might not.


Actually, I now have one rimblade pulling up by about 3/4"-1" on one wheel, only a few weeks after install, so since you can't re-adhere these, maybe I WILL have the opportunity to do it again. The mfr says this happens when the adhesive bonding wasn't done right, ie user error (not enough primer on the rim, not the right amount of pressure installing the blade, whatever)

 

Gobadges sent me a replacement rimblade within 2 days, which was excellent customer service indeed. I watched the peeling one for a few more days just to see if it would pull farther apart as is the risk (of it pulling off and marring the paint as it flails away) but it never budged. Anyway, pulled it off and waiting for another opportunity to install the fresh one after a good cleaning...

 

Dont listen to them. If they dont like it who really cares its your car. At the end of the day as long as you look at your car and are very happy and have fun driving it thats all that maters. If you like it go for it.

 

me likes.....someone in the local club has lime green ones that match the brake calipers on his black MINI. looks very sharp.