MINI2

rocketpop · Jun 26th, 2003, 04:57 AM

Whooooo, I finally finished, it was much harder then I thought it would be but I was able to get it installed. The scoop and fender piece went on sooo easy, but the hood near the head light were murder. It took forever to get them to lay down smooth.

I also order the top of the rear bumper, but it was too late. I noticed a scratch today, must have hit it when I was getting something out of the boot. At least now that should be the only one, now that its protected.

MiniMan7 · Jun 26th, 2003, 07:28 AM

A job well done!

Adam

Smokey 4 · Jun 26th, 2003, 08:04 AM

Very Nice Pop!

aoh · Jun 26th, 2003, 08:39 AM

Overtime and after several polish/wax jobs would the paint colour on the protected and unprotected sides look different ?

tornado · Jun 26th, 2003, 10:46 PM

Fading of the exposed paint relative to the protected areas might be a concern. Also, what about discoloration of the plastic itself? And, how about accumulation of wax/grime right at the edges of the film?

Mike.

Quote:

Originally posted by aoh
Overtime and after several polish/wax jobs would the paint colour on the protected and unprotected sides look different ?

rocketpop · Jun 27th, 2003, 02:10 AM

I'm a tiny bit concerned about the fading of the protect vs the unprotected painted area, but I do keep a good zymol wax job on it at all times. So hopefully that will do the trick.

Also the bra has a 5 year warranty agaist fade, cracking or yellowing.

To clean the edges they recomend you use a q-tip to remove dirt and wax build up. Then again I used the zymol creme instead of the paste so it shouldn't get to much of that white line wax build up look. There was a hard DIRTY rain today and I was about to just wipe it down with my microfiber towel and there was no visable line afterwards.

JCIP · Jun 28th, 2003, 02:57 AM

Your install looks great! But how much does the kit cover on the bumper. It looks like an edge just below the fog light. Does your kit fit the bumper all the way back to the wheel arch, or stop short? Does the kit cover the recess for the fog light? How tight is it to the lamp itself (diameter of the lamp opening)? What about the grill strips? How well do they cover? Please understand, I am in no way criticizing the kit or installation, it is just difficult to see on your pictures. The reason I ask is I just tried to have a kit installed (didn't feel up to the task myself) and it turned out absolute junk! I had to tear it off and I'm out the money. I can't really afford another kit right now, but I would certainly love to [NOT] see much in the way of seems or edge lines. I know there will be one across the top of the bonnet, but the diameter of the opening around my fogs was 1.25" to 1.5" off from the lamp,and the bra wasn't/didn't strech around back to the black wheel arches. I would really like to know and see a well installed kit. I know the pictures are tough to get, and even my miserable install was invisable 10'away, but standing next to the car it made me sick. Any response from clear bra owners appreceiated! Thanks,JCIP

rocketpop · Jun 29th, 2003, 02:15 AM

Lets see. The bra covers the whole bumper. From wheel arch to wheel arch. I did not install the top bumper piece. I will have do that install soon.

I did not install the grill stripes.

The kit covers the recess of the lights but to not go all the way to the lights themself. There is a very small amount of paint that is not covers inside the recesses. The gaps are a little bigger around the fog lights but not by much. They stop right at the edge and do not actually go into the rescess of the light.

Which kit did you have? Not sure what happen to yours but you can not even see mine unless you know what you are looking for. I hade to point out the seam lines to my friends that I was showing it too. To tell you the truth I don't even notice them.

If it was invinca-shield then some mess it up, either it was cut wrong or you installer did a very poor job. Not all brands are cut the same.

JCIP · Jun 29th, 2003, 04:40 AM

Thanks rocketpop, I know for sure that the install was bad. I won't mention the kit, I do not think it was at fault. But since the install I had was so bad, I am wondering just how 'invisable' a good install really is! I had seems and gaps everywhere, and the lower bumper didn't reach wheel arch to arch. Any more pictures of your seamed spots, or egdes would be appreciated!

MINIAC · Jun 29th, 2003, 06:17 PM

JCIP -

Fitting the 3M kit pieces on the front bumper involves some stretching of the material. I think you have to expect some gaps around the light holes and near the edge of the fender skirts. However, judging from the picture you attached, I'd have to say that the kit was not cut large enough. Based on the kits pictured in the FAQ on clear bras, it looks like an X-Pel kit.

When it comes to clear bras:

Some have more seams than others:

Some kits have more pieces for ease of application by DIYers, while others provide the same coverage with fewer pieces but are best installed by professionals. For example, the Invinca-Shield uses 5 pieces to cover the hood and 2 to cover the front bumper, while the Clear Armor on my 'S' covers the hood with 2 and bumper with 1.
Some paint colors hide seams more than others.
Close up, you'll always see seams.

rocketpop · Jun 29th, 2003, 06:47 PM

All the way to the edge...

Not seam lines in the lights...

JCIP · Jun 29th, 2003, 09:02 PM

Many Thanks, Miniac and rocketpop. Rocketpop, you did a great job on yours, wish you could do mine! Miniac, any chance you could post some pics of your installation?
Thanks again,
JCIP

MINIAC · Jun 30th, 2003, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JCIP

Miniac, any chance you could post some pics of your installation?

Check the photo album here. Unfortunately, no pictures of the bumper, but there are slight gaps next to the fender skirts, unlike rocketpop's kit which is cut quite nicely.

JCIP · Jun 30th, 2003, 01:45 AM

Miniac, I just tried your link and it came back as unavailabale. Even joined ofoto! ??
JCIP

MINIAC · Jun 30th, 2003, 03:26 AM

Sorry ... didn't realize you couldn't share Ofoto links. Apparently, you can authorize access by email address, so send me a PM with your email address.

My 'S' is Dark Silver, so the pictures of the hood will look similar to rocketpop's.

benggolf · Jul 23rd, 2003, 01:57 AM

Rocketpop or any DS owners with hood stripes, would you please post a pictures of your MCS. Am contemplating putting on the white hood stripes and possibily invictashield. I got 2 stone chips on the hood this weekend (arrrgh!) that can be covered by the stripes; a cheaper alternative compared to re-spraying the hood (CDN$500).

TIA.

rocketpop · Jul 23rd, 2003, 03:28 AM

benggolf · Jul 23rd, 2003, 03:37 AM

Thank you rocketpop! Your MCS looks fabulous. Think I'll go ahead with having the hood stripes installed tomorrow.

By the way, did you factory order the car with hood stripes or had them installed after delivery? If I may ask, what did it cost you?

Will post pictures when done.

rocketpop · Jul 24th, 2003, 03:41 AM

Ordered them from the factory, it came with one of the packages I bought- "sport" I think.

Jun 26th, 2003, 04:57 AM	#1
rocketpop MINI2 Regular Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Dallas,TX Local Time: 04:33 PM Posts: 70 Offline	Invinca-Shield installed *Pictures* Whooooo, I finally finished, it was much harder then I thought it would be but I was able to get it installed. The scoop and fender piece went on sooo easy, but the hood near the head light were murder. It took forever to get them to lay down smooth. I also order the top of the rear bumper, but it was too late. I noticed a scratch today, must have hit it when I was getting something out of the boot. At least now that should be the only one, now that its protected. MCS DS/W black leather Premium package (bonnet strips, sun roof, OBC, MFSW) Sport Package (DSC, 17' S-Lites, Zenon, Fog lamps) HK. Madness Intake Borla Exhaust OZ Racing Prodrive P1's Last edited by rocketpop : Jun 30th, 2003 at 01:50 PM.

Jun 26th, 2003, 07:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
MiniMan7 Let's Motor. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hamilton, Ontario Local Time: 06:33 PM Posts: 2,897 Offline	A job well done! Adam http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/16791/32165.jpg

Jun 26th, 2003, 08:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
aoh MINI2 Regular Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Penang, Malaysia Local Time: 05:33 AM Posts: 53 Offline	Overtime and after several polish/wax jobs would the paint colour on the protected and unprotected sides look different ? AOH... Sept'02 Chilli Red Cooper

Jun 27th, 2003, 02:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
rocketpop MINI2 Regular Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Dallas,TX Local Time: 04:33 PM Posts: 70 Offline	I'm a tiny bit concerned about the fading of the protect vs the unprotected painted area, but I do keep a good zymol wax job on it at all times. So hopefully that will do the trick. Also the bra has a 5 year warranty agaist fade, cracking or yellowing. To clean the edges they recomend you use a q-tip to remove dirt and wax build up. Then again I used the zymol creme instead of the paste so it shouldn't get to much of that white line wax build up look. There was a hard DIRTY rain today and I was about to just wipe it down with my microfiber towel and there was no visable line afterwards. MCS DS/W black leather Premium package (bonnet strips, sun roof, OBC, MFSW) Sport Package (DSC, 17' S-Lites, Zenon, Fog lamps) HK. Madness Intake Borla Exhaust OZ Racing Prodrive P1's

Jun 28th, 2003, 02:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
JCIP MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Local Time: 11:33 AM Posts: 143 Offline	seams Your install looks great! But how much does the kit cover on the bumper. It looks like an edge just below the fog light. Does your kit fit the bumper all the way back to the wheel arch, or stop short? Does the kit cover the recess for the fog light? How tight is it to the lamp itself (diameter of the lamp opening)? What about the grill strips? How well do they cover? Please understand, I am in no way criticizing the kit or installation, it is just difficult to see on your pictures. The reason I ask is I just tried to have a kit installed (didn't feel up to the task myself) and it turned out absolute junk! I had to tear it off and I'm out the money. I can't really afford another kit right now, but I would certainly love to [NOT] see much in the way of seems or edge lines. I know there will be one across the top of the bonnet, but the diameter of the opening around my fogs was 1.25" to 1.5" off from the lamp,and the bra wasn't/didn't strech around back to the black wheel arches. I would really like to know and see a well installed kit. I know the pictures are tough to get, and even my miserable install was invisable 10'away, but standing next to the car it made me sick. Any response from clear bra owners appreceiated! Thanks,JCIP

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Jun 26th, 2003, 08:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
Smokey 4 MINI2 Master Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hills of NC Local Time: 04:33 PM Posts: 765 Offline	Very Nice Pop!

Jun 26th, 2003, 10:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
tornado MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ventura, CA. Local Time: 01:33 PM Posts: 37 Offline	Fading of the exposed paint relative to the protected areas might be a concern. Also, what about discoloration of the plastic itself? And, how about accumulation of wax/grime right at the edges of the film? Mike. Quote: Originally posted by aoh Overtime and after several polish/wax jobs would the paint colour on the protected and unprotected sides look different ?

Jun 29th, 2003, 02:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
rocketpop MINI2 Regular Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Dallas,TX Local Time: 04:33 PM Posts: 70 Offline	Lets see. The bra covers the whole bumper. From wheel arch to wheel arch. I did not install the top bumper piece. I will have do that install soon. I did not install the grill stripes. The kit covers the recess of the lights but to not go all the way to the lights themself. There is a very small amount of paint that is not covers inside the recesses. The gaps are a little bigger around the fog lights but not by much. They stop right at the edge and do not actually go into the rescess of the light. Which kit did you have? Not sure what happen to yours but you can not even see mine unless you know what you are looking for. I hade to point out the seam lines to my friends that I was showing it too. To tell you the truth I don't even notice them. If it was invinca-shield then some mess it up, either it was cut wrong or you installer did a very poor job. Not all brands are cut the same. MCS DS/W black leather Premium package (bonnet strips, sun roof, OBC, MFSW) Sport Package (DSC, 17' S-Lites, Zenon, Fog lamps) HK. Madness Intake Borla Exhaust OZ Racing Prodrive P1's

Jun 29th, 2003, 04:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
JCIP MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Local Time: 11:33 AM Posts: 143 Offline	Thanks rocketpop, I know for sure that the install was bad. I won't mention the kit, I do not think it was at fault. But since the install I had was so bad, I am wondering just how 'invisable' a good install really is! I had seems and gaps everywhere, and the lower bumper didn't reach wheel arch to arch. Any more pictures of your seamed spots, or egdes would be appreciated! Attached Thumbnails

Jun 29th, 2003, 06:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
MINIAC MINI Profiler Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: City By The Bay Local Time: 02:33 PM Posts: 8,527 Offline	JCIP - Fitting the 3M kit pieces on the front bumper involves some stretching of the material. I think you have to expect some gaps around the light holes and near the edge of the fender skirts. However, judging from the picture you attached, I'd have to say that the kit was not cut large enough. Based on the kits pictured in the FAQ on clear bras, it looks like an X-Pel kit. When it comes to clear bras: Some have more seams than others: Some kits have more pieces for ease of application by DIYers, while others provide the same coverage with fewer pieces but are best installed by professionals. For example, the Invinca-Shield uses 5 pieces to cover the hood and 2 to cover the front bumper, while the Clear Armor on my 'S' covers the hood with 2 and bumper with 1. Some paint colors hide seams more than others. Close up, you'll always see seams.

Jun 29th, 2003, 06:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
rocketpop MINI2 Regular Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Dallas,TX Local Time: 04:33 PM Posts: 70 Offline	All the way to the edge... Not seam lines in the lights... MCS DS/W black leather Premium package (bonnet strips, sun roof, OBC, MFSW) Sport Package (DSC, 17' S-Lites, Zenon, Fog lamps) HK. Madness Intake Borla Exhaust OZ Racing Prodrive P1's Last edited by rocketpop : Jun 30th, 2003 at 01:50 PM.

Jun 29th, 2003, 09:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
JCIP MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Local Time: 11:33 AM Posts: 143 Offline	Many Thanks, Miniac and rocketpop. Rocketpop, you did a great job on yours, wish you could do mine! Miniac, any chance you could post some pics of your installation? Thanks again, JCIP

Jun 30th, 2003, 01:30 AM	#13 (permalink)
MINIAC MINI Profiler Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: City By The Bay Local Time: 02:33 PM Posts: 8,527 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by JCIP Miniac, any chance you could post some pics of your installation? Check the photo album here. Unfortunately, no pictures of the bumper, but there are slight gaps next to the fender skirts, unlike rocketpop's kit which is cut quite nicely.

Jun 30th, 2003, 01:45 AM	#14 (permalink)
JCIP MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Local Time: 11:33 AM Posts: 143 Offline	Miniac, I just tried your link and it came back as unavailabale. Even joined ofoto! ?? JCIP

Jun 30th, 2003, 03:26 AM	#15 (permalink)
MINIAC MINI Profiler Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: City By The Bay Local Time: 02:33 PM Posts: 8,527 Offline	Sorry ... didn't realize you couldn't share Ofoto links. Apparently, you can authorize access by email address, so send me a PM with your email address. My 'S' is Dark Silver, so the pictures of the hood will look similar to rocketpop's.

Jul 23rd, 2003, 01:57 AM	#16 (permalink)
benggolf MINI2 Master Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Richmond, B.C. Local Time: 02:33 PM Posts: 4,062 Offline	Rocketpop or any DS owners with hood stripes, would you please post a pictures of your MCS. Am contemplating putting on the white hood stripes and possibily invictashield. I got 2 stone chips on the hood this weekend (arrrgh!) that can be covered by the stripes; a cheaper alternative compared to re-spraying the hood (CDN$500). TIA. 2005 Mercedes Benz C55 AMG 2006 BMW Z4 M-Coupe - Premium Pkg. 2007 Honda Fit - Sports Pkg. 2005 V-Star 1100 Custom 2007 Honda 250 Reflex Last edited by benggolf : Jul 23rd, 2003 at 02:10 AM.

Jul 23rd, 2003, 03:28 AM	#17 (permalink)
rocketpop MINI2 Regular Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Dallas,TX Local Time: 04:33 PM Posts: 70 Offline	MCS DS/W black leather Premium package (bonnet strips, sun roof, OBC, MFSW) Sport Package (DSC, 17' S-Lites, Zenon, Fog lamps) HK. Madness Intake Borla Exhaust OZ Racing Prodrive P1's

Jul 23rd, 2003, 03:37 AM	#18 (permalink)
benggolf MINI2 Master Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Richmond, B.C. Local Time: 02:33 PM Posts: 4,062 Offline	Thank you rocketpop! Your MCS looks fabulous. Think I'll go ahead with having the hood stripes installed tomorrow. By the way, did you factory order the car with hood stripes or had them installed after delivery? If I may ask, what did it cost you? Will post pictures when done. 2005 Mercedes Benz C55 AMG 2006 BMW Z4 M-Coupe - Premium Pkg. 2007 Honda Fit - Sports Pkg. 2005 V-Star 1100 Custom 2007 Honda 250 Reflex

Jul 24th, 2003, 03:41 AM	#19 (permalink)
rocketpop MINI2 Regular Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Dallas,TX Local Time: 04:33 PM Posts: 70 Offline	Ordered them from the factory, it came with one of the packages I bought- "sport" I think. MCS DS/W black leather Premium package (bonnet strips, sun roof, OBC, MFSW) Sport Package (DSC, 17' S-Lites, Zenon, Fog lamps) HK. Madness Intake Borla Exhaust OZ Racing Prodrive P1's

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