What did you do with your MINI today?

Discussion in 'MINI' started by KittyMini, Jun 17, 2011.

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  1. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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  2. Ernesto

    Ernesto Club Coordinator

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    It was fun.. I generally like to carry a little bit more speed on those roads, but I do it solo early morning..
    Lots of sightseers and bicyclists later in the morning when we were out so not a smart idea.
     
  3. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Replaced the plastic part on the front of the valve cover...
    I broke one of the plastic tabs a while back and it's been bugging me because it didn't sit straight...
    Well today I made that OCD irritant go away...

    IMG_2807.jpg
     
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  4. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Nice clean MINI engine there... :Thumbsup:
     
  5. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    Yeah! how do you do that?
     
  6. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    About the only thing I do is I don't drive it in the winter when piles of salt gets dumped on the roads.....


    Screen Shot 2023-08-01 at 5.50.46 PM.png
     
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  7. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I warsh the engines in our cars once a year. I spray a very diluted solution of simple green on wait a few minutes & hose it off with I light spray. Then I use a leaf blower & a touch up with an air hose if needed. It really is an easy process. If it was hard I wouldn't be doing it.
     
  8. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    The body paint in the bonnet is very susceptible to damage...
    If you use harsh chemicals, it's real easy to accidentally take it down to the primer...
    I pretty much just use a Meguiars car wash soap, and then the pressure washer, staying away from the alternator.
    Screen Shot 2023-08-02 at 1.10.03 PM.png
     
  9. checkers

    checkers Well-Known Member

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    This is what I use
    [​IMG]
     
  10. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    I use Meguiars also.
     
  11. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    I use Griot's car shampoo.
     
  12. checkers

    checkers Well-Known Member

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    I ordered up a couple of parts for Checkers today. I'm going to make changes in the engine compartment. Nothing major just detailing. I can't seem to stop from making changes.
     
  13. checkers

    checkers Well-Known Member

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    Ok guys I need some help with a problem I have. I'm trying to make some changes in the engine compartment. I was going to have the valve cover power coated, but they tell me I can't because it would melt. So what do you think I can do? I have other ideas but right now this one is my biggest problem. I have seen other cars with valve covers of different colors.
     
  14. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    Paint your cover. Its plastic, that's why the high temperature required with powder coating would melt it. It should take paint just fine.
     
  15. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Sky's the limit if you hydrodipped your valve cover...

    Screen Shot 2023-08-11 at 7.56.18 AM.png
     
  16. checkers

    checkers Well-Known Member

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    Thanks Dave. I thought about that and checked with a paint shop and they said with the heat from the engine the paint would not stick. It would burn off pretty fast.
     
  17. checkers

    checkers Well-Known Member

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    What is hydrodipped and who does it?
     
  18. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    You could get some engine paint at the parts store that will last. I never bake it like the instructions say the engine heat will take care of that. Just make sure you get all the oil off the surface you are painting. Also @Metalman has a good idea. What color do you have in mind?
    Here is what I did to my coil pack cover. I used model pant and it’s holding up ok.
    IMG_1927.jpeg
     
  19. checkers

    checkers Well-Known Member

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    #20359 checkers, Aug 11, 2023
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2023
    Gloss Black. I think of changing all the red (hoses and boots ) to black so the bright work stands out more. I called Rustoleum print and they have a paint that's good to 200 degrees and works on plastic. Anybody know how hot the cover gets?

    ps/ the cover looks great.
     
  20. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Lots of places do it... You shouldn't have a problem finding a place in California...
    Here's an example.... I did a quick search on the web... Has pricing for the work...
    https://www.cutting-edgehydrographics.com/pricing/
     
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