5 replies to this topic

[Old man Clark]

Hi all. I am about to take the plunge into mini ownership and I was thinking of buying a mini Mayfair circa 1985 and replacing the plastic wheel arches with the nice stainless strip that runs over the wheel arches and along the bottom edge of the car. I've read a lot about the difficulties of fitting this and how you can drill out the rivets to remove the plastic trim, but once they are removed does this mean holes need filling where the rivets were?

[nicklouse]

well do you want to see the holes?

 

and except to find a whole pile of crud under the arches and also you may well find you tyres will sit too far out to be legal.

[Ben_O]

As above

 

The chrome trim is quite tricky to fit well and should be warmed up in hot water prior to fitting.

 

I would not use a hot air gun as this will just melt and/or distort the plastic.

 

I find that if you unroll it backwards onto the arches so you are working against the coil starting at the front arch and work along. That way, when you come to the tight curves at the front and back of the sill, it will roll and follow nicely round them.

If that makes sense.....?

 

Good luck

 

Ben

[greenmini1275]

What size wheels are you planning on using as really the only wheels you can get away with are 10x4.5 and smaller. Later 12x4.5s need arches because of the offset of the alloys. If you don't like plastic arches, perhaps cover the plastic arches with chrome covers.
Something like these.

http://www.minispare...px|Back to shop

[THE ANORAK]

nope, not true. 12x4.5 rims can be used without the arches if you stick with 145 tyres.

 

yes the holes will need filling.

 

the deluxe chrome trim is a bugger to fit but the basic trim can be used with a lot less hassle.

[Old man Clark]

Thanks all, much appreciated. I like the idea of fitting those wheel arch trims to the current arches greenmini1275.......seems like a good way forward for someone as inexperienced as myself. Cheers.