The paint on the interior trim of my door panels needs a little help. they have some light scratches and the paint is chipping off. As the mini is a 03 I was wondering if there was somewhere I could get an exact color match to the silver I have on the interior to panels. Also, I know the paint exterior color is pure silver, does this also go for the interior trim? thanks for the help in advance
:cornut: Bump! Bump!-----Some one much more knowledgable(sp?) than I will be along soon. Good Luck with the project, it will be worth it. Jason
The interior door panels are easy to change out. You might want to check out Real OEM, or one of our sponsors for a replacement pair. http://www.eminiparts.com/ Jim
I would be surprised if the outside silver matched the inside. You might take this opportunity to change the color of the interior painted bits if you have a mind to.
Yeah Chuck I agree, the interior is kind of a generic silver that isn't related to any outside color. If the OP wants to stick with the same silver, the best shot would be to pull a piece of silver trim, flat surface preferably, and take it to a automotive paint shop for a color match. Some companies like Sherwin Williams, have the ability of putting the color into a aerosol spray can. Next up would be to pull all the pieces off and give them to a body shop for a respray. You might as well "jazz it up" with a new color. Maybe pick a exterior MINI color which can then be easily found in spray cans for future "touch ups".
Thanks for the headsup fellas. I was thinking of changing the interior color but I am a little aprehensive about getting all the trim pieces off the dash, specifically the one over the airbag. If it isnt that hard then I will totally change the interior color. Thanks for the help again. I didnt know sheriwin williams can do that with the spray cans...good to know.
You want to hit up the Automotive Paint division stores in your area for something like this. The home paint store is not going to have it.
^^^ Yes....Sherwin Williams automotive paint division..... Not the "latex" division.... Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes - Get that shine, in half the time http://www.sherwin-automotive.com/ReferenceMaterials/~/media/Sherwin-Williams-Files/Files/Color-Info/Color_Compat_Guides/2012_BMW_Mini_Color_Compatibility_Guide.ashx
It's not hard pulling the pieces. I did it for my 2005 MCS See the whole album [ame="http://www.flickr.com/photos/octaneguy/sets/72157604116553049/"]lil'Black Wow - a set on Flickr[/ame] Richard
I think I did this back in 2008 so it's been awhile, but as I recall, everything came off easily. There might have been a bit of hot glue on some of them, but it was easy to take apart. Richard
All the trim comes off pretty easy? I know all the rings pop out with the tabs that hold them in. My problem is the dash pieces. How do these come off?:crazy: Especially the one over the airbag, this is my biggest concern! :eek6:
Actually there are trim removal tools that are miniature versions of those designed to remove automotive trim. Check out Outmotoring's web site. Aaron sells a kit of tools just for this purpose.
The dash pieces were easiest. I had the JCW carbon fiber dash, so I took my OEM ones out and painted them black as a backup set. Not sure why you are so concerned over the dash piece over the airbag.
Do you have any pics of the black trim pieces installed? I have a black and silver car and am highly considering blacking out the whole interior. I am concerned about it bc I had a friend who did this in a different car and the process was rather long and crazy with a sensor that could set off the airbag. Thanks for the help I will start the ripping out of pieces tomorrow!!:ihih:
Here are my doors after painting We just scuffed and masked it off You can see my JCW CF dash in place, the black ones went onto the MINI when I sold it. This was before I painted the airbag ring and tach. As I recall there was nothing attached to the dash piece that would affect the airbag, especially no sensors. Make sure to pull the battery before any disassembly. Richard
looks great! I think I am going to skip the silver and just black out everything. I like the way it works off the rest of the interior. I wouldnt mind a set of those JCW Carbon panels either!!:ihih:
In a first gen MINI the airbag "explodes" through the dash pad on top - it has nothing to do with the panels we're talking about. You just grab the panel from the bottom and pull to snap it out.
Well I should be finishing up my trim pieces today. When it is all done I will take some photos and post them. Just curious how much it would cost to have this done by a paint shop? Mine came out decent and I can live with it for now but it could be a little better.