Roof graphics with a sun roof...

[MiniMellie]

I would like to get some bonnet stripes, but also I would like some kind of graphics around my sunroof. Is this possible, has anyone done this?

[MiniAdventurer]

this is very possible- check out my post below (opinions please) for some examples- i have the same dilemma as u atm!

u can get decals which cover only the sunroof, or decals with perforated sections that cover the entire roof and still allow u to open the sunroof.

have a look at cooperflags.com or idlegear.co.uk, as well as any other sponsors u can find on here. cooperflags is really good, but in the states and perforated decals (the one i want anyway!) cost $350.

hope this helps

[MiniMellie]

The one with the union jack looks really good. My only thought though, is the graphic a transparent kind of material, or will it knock out the light from the sunroof?

[MiniAdventurer]

apparently the portions that cover the roof are entirely opaque and the sunroof bit reduces light and heat by 50% but u do not see the decal pattern from inside the car and u can still see out. the sunroof will also still open.

i only know all this stuff because i emailed cooperflags with exactly the same questions earlier on this week!

[MiniMellie]

Just spoke with idle gear and they only do solid graphics and can only suggest that I get a knife out and cut were the graphics over lap with the sunroof - OWCH!

[ButtonIt]

MiniMellie - Sorry for being so direct, but I noticed you live in the Reading area Thought about coming on one of the South Coast New MINI clubs runs?? Follow the yellow link in my signature and just post a wee hello. Tell them I sent you

[MiniMellie]

Buttonlt - thanks for the heads up about the south coast mini club - I'll be in touch! Not all Mini drivers in Reading have quite cottened onto the miniwave yet, although those who drive past me regularly on the way to work must think I'm some mad woman... Except the silver left hand drive mini who regularly gives me a flash!!!

[Basil's Dad]

I had Cooper Flags checkerboard installed on my MCS with sunroof.....from the inside, you cannot see the pattern - you can see out - it's like your shade was pulled. A word of caution - make sure the installer applies the sunroof portion first and then the rest of the roof. There is virtually no adjustment in the sunroof portion so if you want your squares to line up, the adjustment has to be made in the non sunroof portion.

[ncdave]

MiniMellie - I just installed the perforated sunroof graphic from Cooper Flags on my MINI. From the inside, the graphic looks like it did with the sunshade pulled closed, albeit, a little lighter. You can still see out though and the light comes in just fine.

Beware of the "cling - type" sunroof covers though as I originally had one of those installed and it blew off at high speed.

There are lots of threads on this topic on MINI2, including some pointers I posted on installation. Just run a search on roof (or sunroof) graphics.

Also note that you can cover just the sunroof part (which will still open) or cover both the roof and the sunroof. There are lots of options. Good Luck!

[DC5]

We went with the sunroof vinyl graphic, ordered it, paid for it, received it, and paid for it to be installed by a profesional installer. The very same day it was installed, we removed it.

Part of it was the fault of the vendor who: sold us a vinyl sunroof that was not cut correctly to size; the 3M vinyl graphic was a self-adhesive type of install and was prone to a tremendous amount of ugly bubbles; and the guy doing the install of the vinyl told us that window graphics (graphics on glass) are more difficult and more troublesome as opposed to when installed over a painted auto body.

But another factor was that it just did not look good, it was not a convincing match between the sunroof graphic and the roof graphic. The perforation (holes) is very noticable at a normal viewing distance. Also, the sunroof graphic is installed over a brown color (the color of the galss of your sunroof); therefore, its hue is affected by that brownish color introduced by the sunroof glass. Also the transparent glass of the sunroof makes the vinyl a little transparent, so its color is not as saturated or vivid as it would be if applied over a solid substrate. The MINI's roof is typically never painted brownish in color and the roof is not transparent; thus, the same exact vinyl graphics applied to the painted roof will look different if applied to the brownish glass of the sunroof.

Others may love sunroof graphics and may have not had these same concerns or problems, and we respect that. We just wanted to share our experience.

[Kurtster]

I'm getting my Union Jack with perforated sunroof installed today. I just bought it from Cooperflags.com. They have pictures of them on their web site so if anyone is concerned about the color difference between the sunroof portion and the outer portion, you can see it before buying.

From what i can see in the online photos, I don't think the color difference is that big of a deal. As long as I can clearly tell what design (flag) it is, I'm likely to be a happy camper. I'm very scared about the comment regarding the sunroof bit not being cut to size properly.and having lots of bubbles. This simply isn't acceptable and I'm wondering if the problem mentioned above could've been related to the installer. I am hoping so,as I've been wanting this roof graphic since the day I ordered my MINI.

[DC5]

Our sunroof vinyl was precut by the vinyl graphics vendor according to their MINI template, not by the installer. But, it was not cut correctly, it was about 3/4 of an inch too small all the way around.

Also, The vinyl from this particular vendor was the 3M type that was self-adhesive, you do NOT use water to adhere it to the substrate. Also, this vinyl from this vendor used a sheet laminate process instead of a liquid laminate process, so the bubbles were actually between the printed vinyl and the protective sheet laminate. So, there was no way to remove the bubbles. Typical vinyl (not printed) is applied like window tinting -- with water or soapy water -- you can work out the bubbles while the vinyl is wet -- then with adequate temperature and sunlight, whatever small bubbles are left should eventually evaporate. The self-adhesive vinyl does not use water, it cannot be repositioned, and it can easily be stretched out of shape.

We might have just gone with the wrong vendor, and others may or may not provide a superior product, or maybe we just had some bad luck, similar to the way other people experience bad luck with their car. There are MINIs out there that look great with the roof/sunroof graphics. We all have different opinions based on our experiences.

[ncdave]

Just for the record (and no, I do not work for them), the sunroof graphic from Cooper Flags fit perfectly. I read the directions, proceeded carefully and installed it myself. No bubbles or other unsightly stuff - looks great! My guess is tha your "installer" had no idea what he or she was doing. Colour is perfect as well. Of course, if you're really up close, you can see the perforations but the product clearly states that it is best viewed from a slight distance. However, that's the tradeoff for being able to see out when you're done.

[DC5]

Quote:

My guess is tha your "installer" had no idea what he or she was doing.

A little harsh I think.

Like I stated earlier, the bubbles were between the printed vinyl and the laminate, this piece had been cut too small, and that I was sure that there were other MINIs where theirs came out great -- we must have just run into some bad luck.

[jasonfields007]

i'm getting a silver union jack installed on my roof next monday after i pick the car up. it's in 2 bits. one for the outside of the sunroof, and perforated hole type material for over the sunroof. bought from coolnewmini for £250 costing about £100 to fit from a sign company.

J