MINI2

Sharkey · Oct 3rd, 2003, 03:31 PM

As our EB/B '04 MCS is waiting to board a ship stateside, we realized that--contrary to our specs--he was born with bonnet stripes

. I know some love stripes, and agree that they look great on some color combos, etc., but we *really* don't want 'em on our MINI. Dealer says "no problem, we can remove them with zero risk to the paint". Being, erm, well OK, really anal, I'm now hyperventilating with thoughts of swirl marks/cob webs, or, gasp, imperfections on our (very first) new car. Question: anybody have any experience removing factory installed bonnet stripes, and if so, was their any consequences for the paint?? Much obliged for any info!
Obsesively yours, Sharkey.

ButtonIt · Oct 3rd, 2003, 03:34 PM

I can't see there'd be a problem, providing the dealers take care and do a proper job. They are only stuck after all.

Sharkey · Oct 3rd, 2003, 03:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ButtonIt

I can't see there'd be a problem, providing the dealers take care and do a proper job. They are only stuck after all.

True, they'd be stuck with the car if it was a mess, but we'd be stuck having to re-order...besides being anal, I guess I'm also impatient...gee, starting to think I'm hard to please

Sharkey

Paul · Oct 3rd, 2003, 03:39 PM

I agree with Mr.It, they should come off no problem at all.

Sharkey · Oct 3rd, 2003, 03:49 PM

Thanks guys. Any idea what a propper job entails (how do they remove them)? I asked the dealer "so, what do you guys do, warm the stripes with a hair dryer and just peel them off?" to which he replied "well, no, it takes a little more than a hair dryer". Which, naturally, sparks visions of, what, flame throwers and, I dunno, pheumatic angle grinders in my head. I had previously even requested that the dealer not wax our MINI prior to delivery since most people unwittingly apply/remove wax ala Karate Kid, which causes swirls in paint. Now I'm imaginging pre-emptive chemical warfare being declared on my virginal bonnet paint. OK, deep breaths...calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean...

PS. Paul, can you move this thread to the 'exterior' forum for me...seems I posted it here by mistake

ButtonIt · Oct 3rd, 2003, 03:54 PM

Woah man, don't get worked up about it

If the Dealer makes a mess, then the Dealer provides a brand new bonnet (hood). When it arrives make the dealer aware that you will not tolerate a bad job and you'll hold the dealer (or even the salesman) responsible.

Sharkey · Oct 3rd, 2003, 03:58 PM

Really, I can hold out for a brand new bonnet if necessary.

Gee, hadn't considered that. Hmm...blood pressure decreasing...pulse slowing...

chughes163 · Oct 3rd, 2003, 04:10 PM

I cant see any problem at all - they have been on a matter of weeks at the most...hmmmmm....mixed with your american sunshine it could heat the glue i guess......hmmmm....if there were ANY marks they would probably polish out no problem together with a layer of wax...hmmmm....on second thoughts, they may need to respray the bonnet but thats all..........lol just teasing...they will come off fine

Sharkey · Oct 3rd, 2003, 04:21 PM

Thanks for adding grist to the mill chughes163

...Just on my way out the door to get some valium (super size, maybe)

Seriously tho, I do worry about the fact that the paint was so fresh when the stripes were applied. And what about problems with paint match of a new bonnet (if needed)? Oh god...I'm going for a walk now.

chughes163 · Oct 3rd, 2003, 04:29 PM

I suggest you have a nice toke on a cigarette (or a pack if your really that stressed!) - that will chill you out!

Relax - its the dealers fault and they will just order you a new bonnet and spray that if its bodged up - I would be sweating if i were the salesman, not the customer!

Chill out and just enjoy the drive

NEMINI · Oct 3rd, 2003, 04:49 PM

why get worked up over something that isn't even a problem?

Sharkey · Oct 3rd, 2003, 06:20 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by GMINI03

why get worked up over something that isn't even a problem?

Hey G03,
While I see your point, what I'm really trying to do here is find out whether this is or isn't a problem. While I can hope/imagine/speculate that it's not, some empirical info from people who may have actually had factory stripes removed would provide a better basis to judge. E.g., if several people said "did this on my car with no problems", then no worries; but if people say "don't do it, since this mucked the paint on my car", then we need a new plan (get dealer to pre-order new hood, reject car and re-order, learn to live with bonnet stripes, whatever). Sure it's obsessive, but like I said, it's our first new car, and would like to at least start with an unblemished purchase.

Cheers, Sharkey

NEMINI · Oct 3rd, 2003, 06:27 PM

I can appreciate all that Sharkey as the MINI was my first new car, and first major purchase of my life.
The paint is pretty much baked on these days, thats why brand new MINI's can be parked outdoors. Also IMO if the fresh paint were weak our cars couldn't be safely covered in cosmoline transported across the ocean and washed off so quickly in their young lives. The dealership will probably use a heat gun to carefully remove the stripes, chemicals will not be used except for perhaps some alcohol or something to remove the last bits of glue. I've removed graphics from cars before, its a bit of a pain in the ass, getting the glue on your fingers and such but I have never damaged the paint. Being that the stripes are pretty new it should be even easier then my experiences.

Sharkey · Oct 3rd, 2003, 06:59 PM

G03: thanks for the kind words and good points. Yer soothin' my troubled mind

Now if only I had some data...
Cheers, Sharkey

moorlockx · Oct 3rd, 2003, 07:56 PM

Mine was 2 months old when I took a hairdryer to it and peeled the stripes myself. Took about 10 minutes and a quick rub down of the bonnet. You can't even tell the stripes were ever on it.

Sharkey · Oct 3rd, 2003, 08:04 PM

Wooohooo! That's what I want to hear moorlockx!

So, your stripes were factory installed? Did they leave residue after peeling 'em off?

May get some sleep tonight afterall

Thanks, Sharkey

chughes163 · Oct 3rd, 2003, 11:14 PM

Well my mate who got his Mini from his local dealer in northampton took his stripes off after about 3 weeks when he decided he didnt like them. He didnt heat the stripes up at all and accidently tore them during removal. As a result he had small pieces of stripe stuck to his bonnet which he tried to pick off - as a result, he managed to scratch the bonnet quite badly in a few area's - he ended up using some silver polish but it didnt really cure the problem - all it did was colour the scratches, not remove them obviously. I think he got the bonnet resprayed in the end - not sure, i will check.

chughes163 · Oct 3rd, 2003, 11:14 PM

Got Ya!

Sharkey · Oct 3rd, 2003, 11:45 PM

Chewy, YOU BUGGER!!

It's pranksters like you that drive a man to drink (or at least give him a convenient excuse)

Cheers, Sharkey

chughes163 · Oct 3rd, 2003, 11:53 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Sharkey

Cheers, Sharkey

And through it all he keeps a smile

Oct 3rd, 2003, 03:31 PM	#1
Sharkey 'LIL GEEK Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: out motoring Local Time: 03:23 AM Posts: 101 Offline	DOH!! New MCS has stripes As our EB/B '04 MCS is waiting to board a ship stateside, we realized that--contrary to our specs--he was born with bonnet stripes. I know some love stripes, and agree that they look great on some color combos, etc., but we really don't want 'em on our MINI. Dealer says "no problem, we can remove them with zero risk to the paint". Being, erm, well OK, really anal, I'm now hyperventilating with thoughts of swirl marks/cob webs, or, gasp, imperfections on our (very first) new car. Question: anybody have any experience removing factory installed bonnet stripes, and if so, was their any consequences for the paint?? Much obliged for any info! Obsesively yours, Sharkey. Last edited by Sharkey : Oct 3rd, 2003 at 03:34 PM. Reason: ended up in wrong forum???don't know how to move

Oct 3rd, 2003, 03:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
ButtonIt The Disorganiser My Classifieds Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Waiting for others Local Time: 08:23 AM Posts: 15,546 Offline	I can't see there'd be a problem, providing the dealers take care and do a proper job. They are only stuck after all. Sponsor our Rickshaw team, please click here for info

Oct 3rd, 2003, 03:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
ButtonIt The Disorganiser My Classifieds Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Waiting for others Local Time: 08:23 AM Posts: 15,546 Offline	Woah man, don't get worked up about it If the Dealer makes a mess, then the Dealer provides a brand new bonnet (hood). When it arrives make the dealer aware that you will not tolerate a bad job and you'll hold the dealer (or even the salesman) responsible. Sponsor our Rickshaw team, please click here for info

Oct 3rd, 2003, 04:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
NEMINI NEMINI.org Join Date: Sep 2002 Local Time: 02:23 AM Posts: 7,911 Offline	why get worked up over something that isn't even a problem? NEMINI.org, NEMINI.us, NEMINI.info, NYMINI.org

Oct 3rd, 2003, 06:27 PM	#13 (permalink)
NEMINI NEMINI.org Join Date: Sep 2002 Local Time: 02:23 AM Posts: 7,911 Offline	I can appreciate all that Sharkey as the MINI was my first new car, and first major purchase of my life. The paint is pretty much baked on these days, thats why brand new MINI's can be parked outdoors. Also IMO if the fresh paint were weak our cars couldn't be safely covered in cosmoline transported across the ocean and washed off so quickly in their young lives. The dealership will probably use a heat gun to carefully remove the stripes, chemicals will not be used except for perhaps some alcohol or something to remove the last bits of glue. I've removed graphics from cars before, its a bit of a pain in the ass, getting the glue on your fingers and such but I have never damaged the paint. Being that the stripes are pretty new it should be even easier then my experiences. NEMINI.org, NEMINI.us, NEMINI.info, NYMINI.org

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Oct 3rd, 2003, 03:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sharkey 'LIL GEEK Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: out motoring Local Time: 03:23 AM Posts: 101 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by ButtonIt I can't see there'd be a problem, providing the dealers take care and do a proper job. They are only stuck after all. True, they'd be stuck with the car if it was a mess, but we'd be stuck having to re-order...besides being anal, I guess I'm also impatient...gee, starting to think I'm hard to please Sharkey

Oct 3rd, 2003, 03:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 08:23 AM Posts: 40,778 Online	I agree with Mr.It, they should come off no problem at all.

Oct 3rd, 2003, 03:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sharkey 'LIL GEEK Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: out motoring Local Time: 03:23 AM Posts: 101 Offline	Thanks guys. Any idea what a propper job entails (how do they remove them)? I asked the dealer "so, what do you guys do, warm the stripes with a hair dryer and just peel them off?" to which he replied "well, no, it takes a little more than a hair dryer". Which, naturally, sparks visions of, what, flame throwers and, I dunno, pheumatic angle grinders in my head. I had previously even requested that the dealer not wax our MINI prior to delivery since most people unwittingly apply/remove wax ala Karate Kid, which causes swirls in paint. Now I'm imaginging pre-emptive chemical warfare being declared on my virginal bonnet paint. OK, deep breaths...calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean... PS. Paul, can you move this thread to the 'exterior' forum for me...seems I posted it here by mistake

Oct 3rd, 2003, 03:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
Sharkey 'LIL GEEK Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: out motoring Local Time: 03:23 AM Posts: 101 Offline	Really, I can hold out for a brand new bonnet if necessary. Gee, hadn't considered that. Hmm...blood pressure decreasing...pulse slowing...

Oct 3rd, 2003, 04:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
chughes163 MINI2 Muppet Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Location, Location Local Time: 07:23 AM Posts: 1,037 Offline	I cant see any problem at all - they have been on a matter of weeks at the most...hmmmmm....mixed with your american sunshine it could heat the glue i guess......hmmmm....if there were ANY marks they would probably polish out no problem together with a layer of wax...hmmmm....on second thoughts, they may need to respray the bonnet but thats all..........lol just teasing...they will come off fine

Oct 3rd, 2003, 04:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Sharkey 'LIL GEEK Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: out motoring Local Time: 03:23 AM Posts: 101 Offline	Thanks for adding grist to the mill chughes163 ...Just on my way out the door to get some valium (super size, maybe) Seriously tho, I do worry about the fact that the paint was so fresh when the stripes were applied. And what about problems with paint match of a new bonnet (if needed)? Oh god...I'm going for a walk now.

Oct 3rd, 2003, 04:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
chughes163 MINI2 Muppet Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Location, Location Local Time: 07:23 AM Posts: 1,037 Offline	I suggest you have a nice toke on a cigarette (or a pack if your really that stressed!) - that will chill you out! Relax - its the dealers fault and they will just order you a new bonnet and spray that if its bodged up - I would be sweating if i were the salesman, not the customer! Chill out and just enjoy the drive

Oct 3rd, 2003, 06:20 PM	#12 (permalink)
Sharkey 'LIL GEEK Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: out motoring Local Time: 03:23 AM Posts: 101 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by GMINI03 why get worked up over something that isn't even a problem? Hey G03, While I see your point, what I'm really trying to do here is find out whether this is or isn't a problem. While I can hope/imagine/speculate that it's not, some empirical info from people who may have actually had factory stripes removed would provide a better basis to judge. E.g., if several people said "did this on my car with no problems", then no worries; but if people say "don't do it, since this mucked the paint on my car", then we need a new plan (get dealer to pre-order new hood, reject car and re-order, learn to live with bonnet stripes, whatever). Sure it's obsessive, but like I said, it's our first new car, and would like to at least start with an unblemished purchase. Cheers, Sharkey

Oct 3rd, 2003, 06:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
Sharkey 'LIL GEEK Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: out motoring Local Time: 03:23 AM Posts: 101 Offline	G03: thanks for the kind words and good points. Yer soothin' my troubled mind Now if only I had some data... Cheers, Sharkey

Oct 3rd, 2003, 07:56 PM	#15 (permalink)
moorlockx MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Fayetteville, NC, US Local Time: 02:23 AM Posts: 893 Offline	Mine was 2 months old when I took a hairdryer to it and peeled the stripes myself. Took about 10 minutes and a quick rub down of the bonnet. You can't even tell the stripes were ever on it. -- '03 S B/W

Oct 3rd, 2003, 08:04 PM	#16 (permalink)
Sharkey 'LIL GEEK Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: out motoring Local Time: 03:23 AM Posts: 101 Offline	Wooohooo! That's what I want to hear moorlockx! So, your stripes were factory installed? Did they leave residue after peeling 'em off? May get some sleep tonight afterall Thanks, Sharkey

Oct 3rd, 2003, 11:14 PM	#17 (permalink)
chughes163 MINI2 Muppet Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Location, Location Local Time: 07:23 AM Posts: 1,037 Offline	Well my mate who got his Mini from his local dealer in northampton took his stripes off after about 3 weeks when he decided he didnt like them. He didnt heat the stripes up at all and accidently tore them during removal. As a result he had small pieces of stripe stuck to his bonnet which he tried to pick off - as a result, he managed to scratch the bonnet quite badly in a few area's - he ended up using some silver polish but it didnt really cure the problem - all it did was colour the scratches, not remove them obviously. I think he got the bonnet resprayed in the end - not sure, i will check.

Oct 3rd, 2003, 11:14 PM	#18 (permalink)
chughes163 MINI2 Muppet Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Location, Location Local Time: 07:23 AM Posts: 1,037 Offline	Got Ya!

Oct 3rd, 2003, 11:45 PM	#19 (permalink)
Sharkey 'LIL GEEK Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: out motoring Local Time: 03:23 AM Posts: 101 Offline	Chewy, YOU BUGGER!! It's pranksters like you that drive a man to drink (or at least give him a convenient excuse) Cheers, Sharkey

Oct 3rd, 2003, 11:53 PM	#20 (permalink)
chughes163 MINI2 Muppet Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Location, Location Local Time: 07:23 AM Posts: 1,037 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Sharkey Cheers, Sharkey And through it all he keeps a smile

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