Taking the Cooper out of MINI

Discussion in 'Detailing' started by Rixter, Aug 27, 2010.

  1. Rixter

    Rixter Well-Known Member

    Jun 14, 2009
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    Can anybody tell me what would be involved to removed the C-O-O-P-E-R letters from the boot of the MINI? I don't have a heat gun but I do have a hair drier :rolleyes5:

    I also have a couple of small / soft rubbery/plasticy things (like a spatula) for spreading bondo on car that I could use that once I get a corner lifted. What would folks recommend. I have fishing line too if that would be helpful and of course WD40. In fact I feel a bit like MacGyver :D

    After I spent so much time detailing a couple of weeks back I wasnt real happy with the way things looked inbetween the letters :frown2:

    I know its a Cooper as does everybody else on the road, I'm not sure I need the letters to tell me so.
     
  2. RonsMinnie

    RonsMinnie New Member
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    I used dental floss/tape and "goo gone" and it was a 10 minute job.
     
  3. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

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    They are on with double stick tape. Use dental floss, hook it behind the letter, and saw you way down.

    Mark
     
  4. Shifter

    Shifter Member
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    letter removal....

    Two words: dental floss. I think the hair dryer should be good enough to soften up the adhesive enough to get some dental floss into it. Use a back-n-forth action to cut through the adhesive material as close to the paint surface as you can. After getting the letters off, the remaining adhesive shouldn't be hard to get off with hot soapy water and a rag.
     
  5. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

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    Got that:lol: WD40 will also clean the adhesive off:Thumbsup:

    Mark
     
  6. Rixter

    Rixter Well-Known Member

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    Cool, so with the floss (which amazingly I do have as well), I 'cutting thru' the adhesive rather than trying to come between the adhesive and the paint?
     
  7. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

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    You may do a bit of both. The floss won't hurt anything.

    Mark
     
  8. Rixter

    Rixter Well-Known Member

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    Awesome. Thanks everyone :Thumbsup:

    Has anybody ever re-applied their letters at a later date :rolleyes:
     
  9. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

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    You go out and buy VHB (very high bond) tape, remove all wax, and stick them back on. VHB tape is somewhere between $60-$80 a roll.

    Mark
     
  10. Rixter

    Rixter Well-Known Member

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    Whoa. I think I'll just buy new letters again if I ever decide to re-grow them
     
  11. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    I use 3M VHB in the shop. Good stuff...... just make sure you align the letters straight, the stuff doesn't like to be repositioned. If you decide you want to stick them back on, just PM me and I'll throw some strips in a letter and shoot it off to you.
     
  12. leicaguy

    leicaguy New Member

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  13. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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  14. leicaguy

    leicaguy New Member

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  15. Rixter

    Rixter Well-Known Member

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    Chuck that would be great.

    Jim and 'Leica' thanks for the tips.

    I think I'll have a go at just removing them and storing them in a zip-lock bag. I don't think I'll change my mind, but you never know :D
     
  16. mini_racer

    mini_racer Well-Known Member

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    Yes, I've done a little reading on VHB and it is serious stuff so you really only have one shot to position something correctly. It is designed to be a permanent adhesive.
     
  17. iwashmycar

    iwashmycar Active Member

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    I reinstalled my 'S' with the usual 3M emblem tape. worked great.
     
  18. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Well, actually there are a couple of adhesive formulations. The rubber based adhesive allows some repositioning and it fully activates after a period of time. The acrylic based adhesive is the super stuff with the "you only get one shot" or you get to start all over.:D
     
  19. Rixter

    Rixter Well-Known Member

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    Was your MINI much faster after the 'S' mod :idea:
     
  20. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

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    Our's was after the JCW emblem went on.

    Mark
     

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