Interior/Exterior Interior and exterior modifications for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Interior/Exterior Magnetic Stripes vs Vinyl: Opinions please

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  #1  
Old 06-19-2004, 10:24 AM
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Magnetic Stripes vs Vinyl: Opinions please

I have seen ads for magnetic stripes and would like to know if anyone has tried them. Thanks. Nick
 
  #2  
Old 06-19-2004, 10:37 AM
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Watch out for the fit on the magnetic stripes

I have seen the magnetic stripes. They stick fine and look oK but the fit on the bonnet was not correct. Might need trimming or adjustment.
If the stripes are on the long side then you can trim them.

So when you order you might ask if the stripes need trimming or if trimming is possible. It's just the angles of how the stripe fit on the bonnet didn't match up just right with the bonnet edge. On the rear hatch it was better.

(edit- it turns out that the stripes were misoriented when I saw them and once correctly positioned they now are a perfect fit. Sorta like puzzles.)

The advantage of magnetic is you just take them off. The disadvantage is someone else can take them off and the fit and finish is not as neat as vinyl but the vinyl gets old and cracks or chips after 1-3 years depending on who makes it and installs it and what elements it is exposed to.
 

Last edited by minihune; 06-23-2004 at 02:30 AM.
  #3  
Old 06-19-2004, 10:49 AM
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The magnetic stripes I purchased fitted the car perfectly. Both the angle and the length were fine and didn't require any cutting. :smile: No one knows it's magnetic, unless trying to peel it off by hanad or at very close distance.

Some people are concerned with micro-scratches from magnetic stripes. However, they can be buffed out easily as the scratches are very superficial.
 

Last edited by dcsmd007; 06-19-2004 at 10:57 AM.
  #4  
Old 06-19-2004, 12:10 PM
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dave,

Where did you get your stripes and got any front and rear pictures of them.

It is true you need to make sure that the surface of the car and the magnets are clean.
 
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Old 06-19-2004, 12:31 PM
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If you do a search you should find a thread or two where people have lost magnetic stripes while driving. It happened to one of our club members about 7 months ago.
 
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Old 06-19-2004, 01:05 PM
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my vinyl stripes blew off. but i think 3 layers of wax might have something to do with that.

weird.

har
 
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Old 06-23-2004, 01:31 AM
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The cling-on type doesn't work very well at all. Like the cling-on roof flag, it can fly away at high speed, especially during rain. On the other hand, the magnetic stripes stick well, even over clear bra. 6 months and no problem!
 

Last edited by dcsmd007; 06-23-2004 at 01:35 AM.
  #8  
Old 06-23-2004, 01:59 AM
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Originally Posted by minihune
They stick fine and look oK but the fit on the bonnet was not correct.
*minihune: If you're talking about mine -- as seen at the May 29 autocross -- then my bad. They weren't aligned correctly on that day. The next day, my girlfriend was looking at them and asked, "Have you tried them in the other direction?". I said that I tried them in all directions though I turned them around. Shazaam! Perfectly aligned! Without a doubt: she's my much better half

They stay put well. Click on...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=27253
 
  #9  
Old 06-23-2004, 05:14 AM
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You have to be careful on which type you are buying. As said before some have been known to fly off, some people have received scratches and a few had some form of a haze buildup with the magnetic stripes. It appears that Dave has found a good pair, so you should find out where he got his. I would assume that if you found a good pair of magnetic stripes it would be just as good as vinyl, and maybe even better. To be fair the vinyl have their share of problems. They can get scratch, and they also require a lot more labor to put new ones on, then do the magnetic stripes.
 
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