Hi guys,

I want to add Cobra strips running the full length along the centre of my Mini.

Any opinions on what's best/easiest (contradiction I know) paint or the newer style 3M vehicle wrap! If I were to paint I'd go with white strips, if I use wrap I'm thinking chrome strips for something different. I am leaning towards the chrome wrap but wondering how difficult it maybe?

All tips, advise or opinion welcome

I'd do it with vinyl decals - apply with soapy water and a squeegee

I painted some once on my van - it was ratty anyway, so we didn't do any surface prep, but it didn't last real well

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

The wrap stuff is really taking off. I see supercrap are selling detailing products aimed at the stuff.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I was going to get the whole car wrapped in a light blue chrome with silver chrome stripes, I was quoted $6000! I have been warned not to try a whole vehicle yourself, even just the stripes could be a challenge getting around the roof gutter and I also have a bonnet scoop!

Has anyone had any experience in wrapping?

For 6 K's , i'd look at getting it painted , will last a sh!t load longer than Vinyl Stripes .

Hey marty. I would say paint them if you where doing a full respray or just use the wrap if not. The benefit of the wrap is you can remove it easily

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The best part of fixing your mini is the test drive

Minis..

1976 van daily drive
1975 van
1968 deluxe in the shed
1967 deluxe high strung 1310
1959 austin healey sprite

Don't do the stripes in chrome - you'll go blind if you drive into the sun!

Good point but why let common sense get in the way of getting the right look!



The car had a full custom re-spray a few years back and white stripes were done (previous owner). I've just repainted the drivers side and bonnet after the door was damaged so therefore replaced and the bonnet scoop started rusting real bad around its sides so I replaced that and added Cosworth style vents either side of the scoop. The bonnet has been repainted so far without the original stripes because as I was measuring up the original strips I discovered one is 5mm wider than the other!

So I either need to paint the bonnet stripe to match the error along the entire car or just go over the original stripes with wrap and like you state remove them next time the car has a complete re-spray!

In the olden days, my mates would use Duct Tape or 100MPH tape....but we were poor back then

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"Show me the Mini!"

Woohoo..... Finally worked out how to add photos! God help you all

Well as you can see I've re-sprayed the entire drivers side, bonnet and door. Re: stripes the closer one is 5mm wide than the other.

Wow marty.........

That thing looks awesome. Loving the bonnet.

Did you build that yourself?

Rodney

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The best part of fixing your mini is the test drive

Minis..

1976 van daily drive
1975 van
1968 deluxe in the shed
1967 deluxe high strung 1310
1959 austin healey sprite

That looks great, did a good job of lainting it yourself. I have been told any holes in the bonnet changes air pressure inside the engine bay and the cooling is less effective, have you noticed it running any hotter?

If you want stripes in vinyl ring Patrick from Response Graphics, he has done heaps of minis.

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1965 Riley Elf
1974 Ex Army Moke
1997 Rover Cooper
2002 JCW Cooper
2003 JCW Cooper S

I've been told that before I added the vents but trapped hot air under a bonnet can also increase engine temperatures. Cooling is about air flow the quicker hot air can move on the quicker cooler air can move in. I was having real issues with hot running when stuck in traffic but since I've added the vents I can honestly say the temp gauge sits around the half way to just below half way mark where as before it always sat just above the three quarter mark! It's still early stage I guess time will tell!



I brought the car looking pretty much as I does now, I've replace the dash inside (Morris Copper style), replaced the driver door due damage, replaced bonnet due huge rust issues and replaced exhaust with centre twin pipes, plus a few other minor mods including twin fuel tanks, mirrors etc

and you can always blank them off fully or partially if there is a problem (like drowned ignition)....are the stripes going over the scoop

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"Show me the Mini!"

[/quote] and you can always blank them off fully or partially if there is a problem (like drowned ignition)....are the stripes going over the scoop [/quote]

I am think of setting up a lever in the car to control airflow via the bonnet vents, a lot like cowl flaps found in light aircraft. As for the scoop the stripes will be going over them so wrapping may not be possible!