[Deonair]

I've had my Thunder Grey S a couple of weeks now and I really want some stripes putting on it. I know stripes aren't for everyone but all my previous MINI's have had stripes and now my F56 looks bare compared to what I'm used to.


The problem is the stripe colour. I bought my S as an Approved Used car from a MINI dealer and it had already had some changes made in that all of the chrome exterior has been painted Chili Red, with the exception of the light surrounds which are matt black (wheels are matt black too). I wanted red stripes to match the other red accents on the car but I'm hitting a brick wall everywhere as no-one seems to have any vinyl in a Chili Red shade. I think it would look odd with the stripes being a different shade of red? I don't know what other colour would look ok apart from red. Black is another obvious choice but I'm worried that it won't stand out enough as Thunder Grey is quite dark anyway. Any suggestions? Silver? I think I've looked at that many different photos and colours that everything just blends into one now and all I see is a blur!


Any help would be much appreciated

 

[hosee]

IMO A single, quite wide white stripe might look good on it?

I would agree your thinking that the black stripe(s) would not stand out enough and the red ones should be in the same Chili Red shade. Silver or some other shade of gray would probably make it look too a bit too much of everything so I would stay with the basic colors?

Since you already have the red highlights on it, I would continue on the path chosen and go for something bold and the white one should at least stand out on it Or go for black stripe that would go from bonnet and across the roof? Perhaps aligning it a bit (1/3?) from the center line of the car?

BTW, really like what you've done with it so far. What's the color of your interior?

 

[Deonair]

Thanks! You're not the first person to say white, my brother actually said the same but I thought he was winding me up as he has a tendency to do that! I'm all for making a statement but I'm not sure even I'm brave enough to go for white, I just can't picture it in my mind.


Then again, my interior looks like this.............................................

 

[hosee]

Nice....now I see where the thought about silver/light gray stripe came from. Come to think of it, would probably look really nice in matt light gray. The source of inspiration on the color is just not apparent to anyone who hasn't seen the interior...

 

[Deonair]

Please excuse my child like efforts but I was just trying to get a picture in my head of white stripes. I only have basic 'Paint' and don't even know how to use that but I managed to throw together this........feel free to have a good laugh, I did


BUT it's got me thinking about the white. It's a very fine line between love and hate and I can't decide which one of those I'm leaning towards.................................I think the front looks better than the rear. Maybe that's because there is some other white on the front, albeit only the number plate.

 

[BoCRon]

As I'm on my iPad the pics are kind of small. What color is that in your interior? The seats and color line I'm looking at could be Satellite gray but can't be sure. Or is it white?

And based on your mockup, I would also consider matte black stripes with red pinstripes. Like the style you have but switch out the colors. Depends on your interior though, so until I can get to my desktop I'm no help .

 

[Deonair]

Interior is Satellite Grey, but it's actually not that grey in the flesh, it's more like an off white.


I've considered lots of colours with lost of pinstripe variants like you suggested so that's not out of the question either.

 

[hosee]

Thumbs up for the white stripes. The problem with the red pinstripes is that, they should match the chili red shade....

 

[funkdrummer]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carbon-Fiber-Mini-Cooper-Stripes-Textured-3D-Carbon-/251343250106

Carbon fiber stripes. One of the options has red pinstripes.

 

[Deonair]

Good thinking, I also had the same thought but then was concerned that carbon fibre would be too near to the body colour, even with a pinstripe to set it off. I have contemplated silver carbon fibre though which would stand out more on the dark grey.


I am going to see a local design shop tomorrow who do car graphics. Hopefully once I've been there I will have a better idea, I'm hoping they can show me all the different vinyls so I can put them against my car to see what looks right. You watch, after all this they'll have an exact match for the Chili Red!

 

[Deonair]

Looks like it's going to be red after all. The graphics shop had loads of different shades of red, one of which looked spot on to go with Chili Red. Having it done next weekend. Will post pics of the finished product then, weather permitting!

 

[MAC99]

Thanks! You're not the first person to say white, my brother actually said the same but I thought he was winding me up as he has a tendency to do that! I'm all for making a statement but I'm not sure even I'm brave enough to go for white, I just can't picture it in my mind.


Then again, my interior looks like this.............................................

I have almost the same interior except I went for the chequered dash trim.
Just love my grey leather seats (had the same colour in my previous Mini R56).

 

[02fanatic]

First of all, Great looking MINI! Here's my take though: The color combo you are sporting is sporty but very "busy". IMO adding a stripe(s) in a very contrasting color would make it "overly busy" if you understand. Personally, I would go with a more subtle color like black or carbon fiber if you must have stripes.

I ordered my Midnight Black JCW with the JCW bonnet stripes (Black with Red Edges) and that's plenty for me...it'll get the point across but not be "glaring". I have always liked black stripes on grey MINI's.

Good luck whatever you choose!

 

[Deonair]

I've never been one to just blend in and be subtle, I like something a little different. I asked lots and lots of people for their opinion and the winning choice by a country mile was 'red', which was my first choice anyway, I just didn't think I was going to be able to get a colour match. But I did, and here are the pics

 

[opal]

Good thinking, I also had the same thought but then was concerned that carbon fibre would be too near to the body colour, even with a pinstripe to set it off. I have contemplated silver carbon fibre though which would stand out more on the dark grey.


I am going to see a local design shop tomorrow who do car graphics. Hopefully once I've been there I will have a better idea, I'm hoping they can show me all the different vinyls so I can put them against my car to see what looks right. You watch, after all this they'll have an exact match for the Chili Red!

The car looks great as it is, the red roof and de chroming really stand out and in my opinion I wouldn't over do things. The carbon fibre with red edge would look really classy in my opinion and tie in with the wheels and light surrounds. And the good thing about stripes is that you could change them if you wanted to at a later stage.

 

[Deonair]

Yes I'd already had that thought about changing them at a later date and knowing me I probably will!

Subtlety just isn't me I'm afraid. My previous Minis have been red, blue, orange and I've never had a grey car in my life because they are too, well, grey! I would really struggle with a plain grey car, I need colour, and even the red roof, mirrors and trim wasn't enough. I think I am a colour junkie or something! I bought this car in particular because it was the only used one I could find with the spec I wanted at the right price. I was worried about the colour but now I'm happy as I have my colour fix ?

 

[opal]

The red stripes do look good and I know what you mean about colour, I've had 2 yellow and now an orange Mini!

 

[hosee]

Looks really good. Might call for little more red on the sides?

 

[Fukazawa]

I've never been one to just blend in and be subtle, I like something a little different. I asked lots and lots of people for their opinion and the winning choice by a country mile was 'red', which was my first choice anyway, I just didn't think I was going to be able to get a colour match. But I did, and here are the pics

Looks fantastic - I would still try to find some matte red stripes for the roof, just to keep the pattern going and break up all red roof.

 

[BoCRon]

Looks great! I love a MINI with personality and yours has it. I like the way you ended the hood stripes within the scoop, nice touch.


Annette