Hi All.. Posted this on NA board and thought I would share. Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 60 Gallery one of a kind mini now! I said I didnt like the front turn signals on the 53. I said I was going to remove them also..This is the outcome. I love the outcome. I moved the turn signal and the marker lite down to the fog lite assembly.It was so small anyways.lol! I ordered a couple amber led bulbs to fit the h7 socket. I machined a couple small sockets for the marker lites and plastic welded those into the original fog lamp housing.. I welded the holes from the original lites complete.not a speck of plastic filler. What ya all think? I couldnt wait to get car finished to post. I had to go back on the road again so it may be a while before I get to finish up the project. I am 95 % done... Jim
Very nice. Always good to see people doing some custom bodywork stuff. I did something similar to the rear reflectors. You have any pics of the welding in progress? I love work-in-progress pics from projects like this. What method of plastic-welding did you use? Full plastic welder or the simple soldering iron method?
Just use a soldering gun with paddle tip. Use slivers of old bumpers for filler as needed. Here is pic of plug welded in.. Took a hole saw and removed the center bit and cut out the plug that way. The light hole isnt round so I used my belt sander to fit it.
one of a kind? Nice work! Here is mine no paint yet. Archived pictures: I also did like the rear stuff and solved that issue with my brain...
Thanks Lathedog! I will tell you I had a b*tch of a time with the front and had to use some filler. So your finish job rocks by comparison! You should see my fender!!!! No lights there either!
To the OP , you did some VERY nice work! I did the same, but on an Aero bumper, and i wish the results were as smooth as yours.
Well I guess I dont have a one of a kind bumper but it shows great minds think alike.LOL!! Thanks guys
Needless to say some of us have had our MINI since day one 2002 and have virtually done everything realistically conceivable with them? Chase is another member here (also see "Buddy" page 116 on M/U forum) that did this bumper mod in 2009 after myself. And I believe Nathan here on MA did something as well a few years ago? The nice thing is when you are in the presents of other MINIs the subtle custom works gets attention more so than an all out body kit. Your finish work is exceptional to say the least! And yes "Great Minds Think Alike".
Were are you guys getting your materials from, your cars look really good, I like the clean no holes look.
What do you use as a front indicator? I hate not having a forward facing indication in normal everyday driving.
So the MINI bumpers are made from ABS? All this time I thought they were made from a thermoset polyurethane, which wouldn't allow heat welding. Interesting.