[Kurtster]

First order: Moss/Carvogue. 6 week wait. Arrives without sunroof portion. returned for refund.

Second order: Cooperflags full UJ. sunroof portion is PERFECT. Outer portion looks kind of grainy and lower resolution (possible bad printing) and installer (DP Tinting in Santa Ana) encourages me to order custom vinyl that will match the sunroof portion very closely. He would be adding just red and blue to carry it out to the edges.

Three days of investigating the cost of painting vs decaling go by.

Last Wednesday, I send Coopflags outer decal back for refund. Order roof graphics from DP Tinting and offer to pay for expedited shipping. He tells me it's not necessary, it's going to be in on time. We schedule an appointment for tomorrow (12-23-03).

Today I call DP and he says it won't be in until Jan. AGGH! I wanted this done before my wife shows up tomorrow night (we live in separate parts of the state) as this will be her first time seeing the car. So I dedide I'll go get it painted or another decal installer, or anything to get this over with.

I figure DP knew it needed to be done tomorrow and:
a.) He failed to follow up and call me to let me know our appointment was off
b.) He failed to get the goods in on time from his vendor

Then the DP tinting guy starts going off on me on the phone. Telling me he was insulted on the first visit that I chose to shop around instead of just ordering from him. he tells me he "tried to be nice". When you have to "try" to be nice, there's a fundamental problem.

After the tint job I thought he was great. I already paid him $250 for tint and the sunroof portion as well as going back to him for more work because the quality was good. After this conversation today he showed that he shouldn't be dealing directly with customers.

He took this way too personally and it's unfortunate because I wanted to work with him. Instead of offering a solution or sympathizing and trying to come up with a solution he blew up at me as if I had tried to screw him in some way.

Now it's impossible for me to have a full UJ by tomorrow. Simply aint gonna happen. I'd pay $1000 if I could have it painted by the time she gets here. But then it would be rushed. I NEED A DRINK. I think the sunroof only looks terrible and I'm stuck driving around with this half-baked top.

Well that's my never ending union jack story. Still isn't over yet and since I'll be gone a week in Dec. and a week in Jan. it will linger on and on. If you live in Orange County, please don't laugh when you see my MINI. It isn't done yet thanks to circumstances beyond my control.

[NEMINI]

personally I like the sunroof only part. Not sure why you don't like it but hope you get it resolved to your satifaction soon, though I highly doubt anyone will laugh as many people purposely go for sunroof only, I know I will if I ever find a graphic to go with my MINI.

[Eric B]

Actually I like it too.... quite a bit really

[Kurtster]

I found another installer who says he does custom decal work. I'm going in for color matching tomorrow morning. Anyone know if these these 3m vinyk things are prone to falling off in cold weather? I may move to New England and if there's a high liklihood that I'll end up having to paint it anyway because the decals come off...it's like throwing good money after bad...

[NEMINI]

haven't seen nor heard of any reports of cold weather affecting them at all

[punkeyfunky]

Practical advice:

1) Relax....
2) Look forward ot seeing your wife. The MINI is an added extra.
3) Your wife will probably not even notice the UJ is a sunroof only type!



Lee

[northandy]

Quote: Originally Posted by GMINI03

personally I like the sunroof only part. Not sure why you don't like it but hope you get it resolved to your satifaction soon, though I highly doubt anyone will laugh as many people purposely go for sunroof only, I know I will if I ever find a graphic to go with my MINI.

Me too... It looks smart IMO.... I'm sure she wont notice !!!...

Plus theres too many other things to look at, those R90's, Mmmm, the chrome handle scoops.... thats a very nice looking motor you have there !!!

[Cape Cod MINI]

I like it on the sunroof only too. It'll all work out in your favor in due time.
Relax, Bro. Have you had that drink yet? If not, jump right on it.
Your MINI looks great, your wife still loves you and so do we Merry Christmas!

[randap]

I think it looks the doggy's dangly bits as it is. IMO, don't bother with the whole roof - there'll only be more sticky bits to come unstuck (esp. when you wash / polish).

Although, I have a whole roof graphic.........

[beej]

I like the sunroof-only decal, I think it looks great. Take a look at your own photos man, the car looks fab! It's great surrounded by white, no sense stressing about it

I'll be getting a sunroof-only UJ decal in 2004. I'd get the whole shebang, but I'm not sure it looks as good on EB compared to your IB... oh, and there's the whole cost thing

[gypsyslady]

Suggest you set it aside and enjoy your holiday and time with your wife.

If you rush to get it done, you'll likely end up dissatisfied in the end. Sounds like you want this UJ in a certain size and with an eye to detail/quality or you wouldn't have returned the one. Whatever time it takes to get it *right* will be worth it in the end. Or at least worth not getting irritated by a job that could have been better, or even worse to spend the time and money to do it all over again!

Besides, it might be a good talking point about the car with your wife --get her opinion and see if she has any good suggestions on how to/where to get it done. Gets her involved with your MINI too!

I'd tell this DP guy to pack sand --is he in business to do business or what? There's should be nothing personal to a business transaction.

[Kurtster]

You guys are awesome. I love you, man!
It's like having an adopted family on this place. You've helped me relax and my wife doesn't really care one way or the other. It really was about my wanting this done the week i got the car, and now it's a month later and it still isn't the way it could've been if all had gone right from the start.

I appreciate everyone on these forums a lot. I've learned so much and for the first time in my 38 years,I've got a car that makes me feel like a tennager again. Only this time around I have a lot more cash to have fun with my car. customizing and personalizing these things is a helluva lot of fun and I wouldn't be as inspired to do all that I'm doing with it if not for the great ideas and people on here and the NAM site.

Thanks again and happy holidays to all.

[dansmini]

I agree with everybody...it looks good just having the sunroof part on. I know in your head you have a vision of how it should look and until it looks that way you won't be happy. But it looks very nice as is!

[NEMINI]

glad you're feeling more relaxed Kurt.

[R1]

I also like it with just the sunroof section.

[Spy Car]

Quote: Originally Posted by R1

I also like it with just the sunroof section.

You know what...I do too

[KevinR]

My car is Indi Blue with Black. I plan on fitting the sunroof graphic only. So, I think it looks pretty good the way it is right now.

[rxponder]

Quote: Originally Posted by GMINI03

personally I like the sunroof only part...

Me Too...

[Kurtster]

Okay now I'm on my fourth attempt...how sad.

I found a new guy that has done car decals before. He uses professional 3M high performance adhesive decal maaterial just like that last installer was supposed to use.

I took it in and got a call about an hour later saying the curvature of the corners of the roof are too extreme. The material creases and won't permit a smooth application in the corners. No charge, but still not done.

I have decided to have this painted next week and finally be done with it. I'll podt pics once it's done. Let's just hope they don't botch the paint job!

[ncdave]

I'll chime in late - the sunroof only graphic looks terrific! Great looking car!