Decals and paint fade...

[Paul]

Might be a daft question, but I'm considering doing this to my Cooper S:



Or maybe with a double lower side stripe a little like this:



But I'm concerned about paint fade (or rather lack of it) where the decals go. You know the old "ex BT van" syndrome where you see white vans going around with "shadow markings" where they used to have decals.

Is this unavoidable, is there a certain time you could be "safe" to leave decals on before fade might start to be an issue?

I'd love to decorate the MINI for me and the site, but don't want it to be a big deal in years to come when I come to sell it on.

[Hat]

there's one way to solve the problem - sell the car before it becomes an issue

[Paul]

Is there any kind of guideline on this? I mean, I'd be happy to put them on, and removed them after 18 months, 2 years or whatever if that's a "safe" time period? It would even be worth it to apply, removed clean, apply, every 12 months if that meant avoiding long term paint defects.

[Smurfn]

Josh and Ali just removed some flame decals from his BRG that had been on about 18-24 months (I think) and says he can't notice a difference. Hope that may be of some help

[Paul]

Could always go the "wrap" route, but I'm guessing that would cost a fortune?!

[Berthil]

As many of you probably know red is the color most sensitive to fading. This is because the red light hold the most energy (hence the fact that infrared is red). When light hits a red car, the red light is absorbed by the paint so you see the car as red. So red paints is the color that absorbs the most energy. Energy causes paint discoloration because the energy breaks paint molecules and paint stabilizers down, so red is the color that fades first.

So the fact that this doesn't occur on a BRG in 18-24 months does not mean it will not happen on a Chili Red MINI in that period of time.

Shielding you MINI from direct sunlight will increase the lifespan of the paint very much.

I have applied a teflon layer called ProTech on mine. They claim the paint will only deteriorate a few percent per year instead of 20, but only time will tell. My 3 year old EB/MCS still shines like new though (and thats measured with a gloss meter). It's not a certainty but applying such a layer (and parking it in the shade) would give the best protection against paint discoloration in my opinion.

Maybe you could shield a part of the car with some kind of small decal that is easily removed and applied again, and check for fading under the small decal. It should be on a flat surface like the bonnet or roof because these fade first. As soon as you can see the slightest color fading you should take of all the decals.

BTW, it looks great!

[Goonery]

Modern paints are not as prone to fade as on older vehicles, and MINI only use the best quality materials I'm sure. 3 to 4 years will be fine, but since when have you kept a car that long. Anyway, you'll probably re-vamp the graphics when you redevelop the site for the MK2, Will there be a NewMINIMINI2.com


newminimini2.co.uk Available
newminimini2.org.uk Available
newminimini2.me.uk Available
newminimini2.com Available
newminimini2.org Available
newminimini2.net Available
newminimini2.info Available
newminimini2.biz Available
newminimini2.tv Available
newminimini2.ltd.uk Available
newminimini2.plc.uk Available



newmini.co.uk Taken
newmini.org.uk Available
newmini.me.uk Available
newmini.com Taken
newmini.org Taken
newmini.net Taken
newmini.info Taken
newmini.biz Available
newmini.tv Available
newmini.ltd.uk Available
newmini.plc.uk Available

[Jim Ray]

I agree with all posters above, Red fades, but MINI uses good paint.

What makes you think the new owner would not like the stripes? That does not appear extreme. But, I am not English.


Our New Beetle with Daisy wheels went for a premium to a buyer halfway across the country because the new owner took a fancy to the look of the car with those wheels.

[Paul]

I wouldn't buy a car like that MINI, be afraid it was raced around all the time.

[LMB]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

Could always go the "wrap" route, but I'm guessing that would cost a fortune?!

I think so long as you protect and look after your paint work, in the short term (1 - 2 years) you should be fine. The same thought crossed my mind when I was thinking of getting graphics on my Works.

[AprilWhine]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

I wouldn't buy a car like that MINI, be afraid it was raced around all the time.

Feature Alfie prominently in the pics

[Journeyman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Berthil

As many of you probably know red is the color most sensitive to fading. This is because the red light hold the most energy (hence the fact that infrared is red). When light hits a red car, the red light is absorbed by the paint so you see the car as red.

Have to reply to this. Back to some basic physics. Here is an example:

If white light (ordinary sunlight, for example) passes through copper(II) sulphate solution, some wavelengths in the light are absorbed by the solution. Copper(II) ions in solution absorb light in the red region of the spectrum.

The light which passes through the solution and out the other side will have all the colours in it except for the red. We see this mixture of wavelengths as pale blue (cyan).

So this means that if you see a red car it absorbs all other colours except red (complementary colour)

Sorry Paul, I know this is not related to your question. IMHO if you would leave your car on a direct sun light during summer time (longer period) it could result in a slight fading.

[Root Ginger]

Providing your keep the car polished and waxed there is no reason why the paint should fade for many years. Yes red is the most prone colour to fade but not if it's looked after properly. You see many 80's cars where the paint has faded due to improper care. Then again think of cars like the XR2i, RS Turbo I've seen many of them with gleaming paint work where they've been properly cared for and that is on cars that have not been resprayed.

[mooneymini]

i was worried about that also with my red paint.
i removed the numbers i had on my doors and there is definatly no way you can tell they were on there

[Paul]

How long had you had them in place?

And thanks for the input everyone!