Hi all,

I've searched around but have found little mention as to particular paint types: I'd like to spray my worn silver down tubes and also considering (if I can get them off the panel - tips anyone ?) the door pulls/arms....

I'd quite like to get a near match to the OEM black of the stereo, heater controls etc, which seems a very matt satin....I'm unsure as to what's best to use: an enamel spray, acrylic, exterior auto paint..? I've sample tested an enamel spray which is actually marked up for interior trim use, but I'm concerned how hard wearing it's actually going to be....I guess I could spray lacquer over the top, but then it's going to give a shinier result which ideally I'd like to avoid......

Any ideas or experience, much appreciate...

Cheers, Steve

Hi,

Do you have a first gen?? well if so then....

The down tubes are very easy to remove, just undo 2 hex screws on both sides of the down tubes , you may have to open glove box to get to one, there are 2 screws inside the drinks holders to be removed, remove the panel that controls the mirrors just behind the parking brake by gently prising it up with a flat blade , there are 2 more screws there, now the whole console will slide back and you can remove the down tubes , just take your time not to scratch your front when taking them out and putting them back, just go slow and you will be fine!

With regards to painting them?? its not an easy task and can go very very wrong!! what i did with my down tubes was to get a carbon fibre vinyl wrap, here is a pic

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/9312/photo3fx.jpg


The door panels are not easy to paint as you need to mask off and protect the inside of the door panel , there is hours of proper prep on these! if its just the handles then these might be of use to you?

BMW MINI COOPER S 01-05 2X DOOR HANDLE COVERS black st | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-MINI-COOPER-S-01-05-2X-DOOR-HANDLE-COVERS-black-st-/230707271650?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35b73997e2#ht_827wt_1058)

Hope some of this helps you out :)

Many thanks for the reply & tips harvey94...

Yeah, it's a 1st gen (R53)...Not had it too long, but already the bug is biting and I'm finding myself thinking (dreaming) down the line..!

I'm pretty sure I'll be OK with removing and re-installing the down posts (plenty of instructions around) and the door arms seem 'possible' if you're prepared to drill out the 'melted' plastic rivets attaching them to the door panel and then glue back into place (or, as you suggest, mask the whole panel and spray the arms - though this does limit the coverage of where the paint will reach, i.e not round the back)....

It's just the type of paint to go for...just wondered if there were any direct recommendations or if anyone had any longer term experience and how well things had worn with particular paint types (I figure any paint can't be any worse the the OEM silver paint!)....I'm fairy happy to spray from a can as they are relatively small parts (I used to be an architectural model maker in a former lifetime!) but just concerned a straight enamel, though easy to apply, won't stand up to scuffs etc all that well....?

Loving your carbon wraps...certainly a lot cheaper than the real thing! I saw a post/pic on here of someone who had done similar with their bonnet scoop (after it had worked loose and fallen off!) and thought it looked a fab job...! I'm resisting carbon at present, as I know if I go down that road I won't stop...!:eek::D

Thanks again, SC

Hi,

I used plasti-kote on my wheels which is an interior and exterior spray paint, I can honestly say that I am very very impressed with it, not one chip or scrape yet, I gave them 4 coats in the space of a day as the paint is touch dry in minutes!

Just a note though , if you can get hold of this paint use a well ventilated area as its strong stuff! :)