The Viper stripes on my partners Cooper S have cracked badly presumably by the weather, and ideally need replacing. The roof and bonnet are bad as can be seen in the photo below, but the front bumper, rear spoiler and boot are ok. Is this common? The car is a 53 plate Cooper S which we have owned since 2007. When we bought it the stripes we in good condition.

Is it possible to get new stripes installed directly over the old ones, or do they need to be removed first? I know these are notoriously difficult to fit, but I was thinking if you are fitting over the existing stripes you will have a guide to follow. Has anyone done this?

Otherwise any recommendations in the west midlands/warwickshire area as to where to get them fitted? I've seen comments on old threads about minipirate but their website just looks like a mail order site, and the online shop doesn't work.

[Tried to post a link to a pic - but I dont have enough posts on here to do so :o ]

Is it possible to get new stripes installed directly over the old ones, or do they need to be removed first? I know these are notoriously difficult to fit, but I was thinking if you are fitting over the existing stripes you will have a guide to follow.

You need to remove the old stripes and clean the surface before fitting new ones.

I've seen comments on old threads about minipirate but their website just looks like a mail order site, and the online shop doesn't work.
I don't think they're in business any longer.

[Tried to post a link to a pic - but I dont have enough posts on here to do so :o ]
You can attach pictures as shown here (http://www.mini2.com/forum/welcome-new-members/186602-please-read-before-introducing-yourself.html).

yeah, mine are crackled up on the front edge of the hood too. i believe it's because of sun light damaging the vinyl.

Otherwise any recommendations in the west midlands/warwickshire area as to where to get them fitted? I've seen comments on old threads about minipirate but their website just looks like a mail order site, and the online shop doesn't work.

You could try Graphics-R-Us who are the Mini vinyl specialists on TotalMini.com:
Graphics-R-Us - totalMINI Forums (http://www.totalmini.com/forum/127-graphics-r-us/)

Thanks for the comments. Here's a pic of how bad they look.

The most likely cause for the cracked vinyl is the use of
a lower quality vinyl. There are two basic types of colored and printable vinyl.
Cast and Calendered. Both look great and print great however the calendered shrinks, cracks and has a short life span particularly with outdoor use. Cast vinyl is high performance and when combined with a cast laminate will look new for at least 3 years and should last for up to 6 years.
When you replace your stripes make sure that the shop is using cast vinyl and laminate. Removeing the old vinyl is going to be a pain but with time and strong finger nails it is doable. 3M makes a great adhesive remover that will not hurt the paint or plastic.
Good luck and remember "Cast"

Jim

91 Design

Anyone in the southeast should check out SS Signs and Designs in Colchester, Essex which is about an hour from London they are specialists at making bespoke graphics so anything you can imagine, you can have on your mini! Trying to think of what to have on my new car at the moment, but she has a tan and black leather so is quite colourful inside

Emma