28 replies to this topic

[Ali]

Right.....I'm about to paint my mini met. silver with a black roof.

What i also plan to do, is paint ALL the chrome satin black.....*ducks for cover*
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Including black wheels.


I'm new to mini ownership, but one thing i have noticed is that the first thing you all seem to do is add more chrome. I've heard a lot of "....you can't have a mini without chrome....." comments, and when i went my local 'specialist' and asked for a secondhand grille.....to paint....he practically dropped his spanners and set the dogs on me . He couldn't understand what i was trying to say. :saywhat:

So am i commiting a cardinal sin here or what? Not that i care to be honest, it's my car to do with what i please, i was just after educated opinions.
Has anyone got pictures of others that have dared to do it?

[Brawlyrox]

Im gonna say what you already said "its ur car and do what you want with it"

At the end of the day mini ownership is about being unique! go for it and be differerent is what i say!

[Alex1380]

i had a idea for a mini, paint it black then have all the usual chrome bits done in black chrome, including black chromed wheels. but it remains just a idea that i currently can't do.

[lewis]

i think the grill idea is nice, after all if you like it stick with it, doesnt matter about others opinions, im fitting a brow grill, and i know many people which hate them, but im fitting it because i like it. :grin:

if your still not sure run a poll and see the outcome if your uncertian about anything

[Woody]

Its your car do what you want , and if you like it , why care if anyone else thinks its pants
I have gone all retro chrome as i was put off matt black when they ruined MGB's & midgets by putting "parkbench" matt black rubber bumpers , matt black door handles and all maner of uncromed crud on
My brother did a capri black with everything on it matt black and that looked good , very "Mad Max" post appocaliptic .

[bluebottle]

my mates hillclimb mini is silver with a black roof, and it looks great, i think the only chrome it has on it is the door handles, rear lights, and a wiper arm.

[hammoj28]

I personally ain't keen on the idea too much but I have never seen it done so how can I comment. Might look good.

Go for it.

[CharlieBrown]

he practically dropped his spanners and set the dogs on me

LOL, I can just see it now, thats well funny.


Go for it, sounds interesting!

[Dan]

We very nearly did all the normal chrome on the GFs Mini in body colour, or satin black for some small parts. Did a test with some parts and soon realised (duh, feel really stupid now but I was only 20) that you can't paint chrome. We then buffed some stuff down to de-chrome it (headlamp surrounds and stuff) and tried again but we just kind of gave up. It was the thought of having to buff so many tiny parts that put me off (and I couldn't work out how to de-chrome plasti-chrome and retain a nice finish) . But I would still like to do it, I think it would look good.

Go for it I say. You could start a trend. And it ain't like theres a shortage of chromed parts to put back on if it looks bad anyway.

[Ali]

Go for it I say. You could start a trend. And it ain't like theres a shortage of chromed parts to put back on if it looks bad anyway.

That's exactly how i convinced the missus....

I'm under no illusion that it's an easy thing to do....i've done it before

There's a whole bucket load of prep work and sanding to do for the body so it's just a bit extra for the other bits.

It's possible to paint chrome, so long as its of good quality still. You have to 'key' it like you would with any panel/item you're going to paint, but then you need to use an acid etching primer.

Once that's done just regular 2pack(or cellulose) paint on top. I've done it a few times before with excellent results...

I'll post a pic tomorrow of the car that inspired the colour choice.

[bankxi]

i think chrome looks cool but the idea of moding your car is to be diff from the next mini si if you like the black go for it

[Sunshine]

you make it sound like a good idea, and wish you good luck! you obviously know what you are doing and am sure it will turn out great!

i'm one of the "chrome adders" ( guilty as charged) but i'm not going to go too crazy with it, just enough so i like it.

everyone's car is different just like the owners.... be boring if we all had cars the same! even Freda's mates car ( see post in general titled wooohoo) is the same as mine inlcuding interior, but i prefer the shiny bits.

[miniman5]

HAHA! i dont see the big deal i want a black grill on mine and im guna cut a big hole in it for an oil rad! :grin: well.. mite do but certainly guna get a dummy one tho!

[Pavel]

My car has no chrome whatsoever except fuel cap.

headlamp rings, handles, rear light clusters, bumpers, window surrounds, window strips, windscreen/rear screen fillet strips, grille, surround, indicator surrounds... you get the idea.. are all black.

Looks pretty cool, mind you my mini is a bright yellow

[Pavel]

Here's a rough idea taken with phone camera (right now car has halogens, in picture were sealed beams painted black)

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