R50/53 Dorky cheapskate modification
#551
#552
Thanks! It really is only a temporary fix though. Tennis racquet wrap only lasts about a season before it starts to break down from friction and heat. I'd like to get some leather covers for the door pulls and down tubes before that happens. I bet bike tape would hold up much longer, that's a good idea.
#553
OK, time to chime in. All the following "mods" for under $25 total!
Beltline blackout kit: $3.50 or so. Scotch Super 33+ electrical tape (Ace, Home Depot or Lowe's). The Super 33+ is the only electrical tape that's cold/hot rated, the proper satin shade of black to match the trim, and comes back off when you want it. to. One roll will do 3-4 Minis. Apply one end with some hanging over, don't stretch much if at all to apply, and cut the ends to fit. 15-20 minutes should get you a job well done. A "must do mod" for R56s with their higher beltline. Yes, it comes off clean, no residue during summer. At least for me, YMMV.
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Beltline blackout kit: $3.50 or so. Scotch Super 33+ electrical tape (Ace, Home Depot or Lowe's). The Super 33+ is the only electrical tape that's cold/hot rated, the proper satin shade of black to match the trim, and comes back off when you want it. to. One roll will do 3-4 Minis. Apply one end with some hanging over, don't stretch much if at all to apply, and cut the ends to fit. 15-20 minutes should get you a job well done. A "must do mod" for R56s with their higher beltline. Yes, it comes off clean, no residue during summer. At least for me, YMMV.
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how did the electrical tape hold up?? any residue upon removal now since it's been a couple years??
#554
Andy
#555
I still maintain that the blackout beltline is a "must do" for R56's.... While commercial vinyl tape is also not super expensive ($15-20 shipped, I believe, from Mini merchants), for those impatient, cheap souls like me, the Super33+ Scotch Electrical Tape worked wonders! Just don't stretch much when applying.
#556
As it turned out, I actually pulled it after that summer, on my car (astro black, silver roof, checkmate checkerboard on the scuttles), the blackout treatment ended up looking "cheap" rather than "tough". Came off no issues, though I had some on another car (under hood, so higher temps) that left a small amount of residue. Goo-gone took care of it quickly, and it was minor.
I still maintain that the blackout beltline is a "must do" for R56's.... While commercial vinyl tape is also not super expensive ($15-20 shipped, I believe, from Mini merchants), for those impatient, cheap souls like me, the Super33+ Scotch Electrical Tape worked wonders! Just don't stretch much when applying.
I still maintain that the blackout beltline is a "must do" for R56's.... While commercial vinyl tape is also not super expensive ($15-20 shipped, I believe, from Mini merchants), for those impatient, cheap souls like me, the Super33+ Scotch Electrical Tape worked wonders! Just don't stretch much when applying.
thanks for the insight!! much appreciated
#557
Sorry, not a close up shot, but you get the idea.
Last edited by 89AKurt; 11-12-2011 at 08:54 PM.
#558
I did a cheapie mod to get a bracket to hang a radio mic for my GMRS radio. It cost all of $2 for a small piece of aluminum plate and a few $ for spray paint and primer that I already had rolling around in the garage. I'm sure it could be modified to work for phones, GPS, etc, though I'd make it hang 1/2 cm lower next time so I don't get intereference w/ the CD coming in and out of the player (I have to catch it on the way out and lift a little bit)
More details here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...epeater-2.html
More details here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...epeater-2.html
#559
And by a piece, I mean a roll. Pay for some shipping and I'll cut you a foot or two. Around a buck for a mod like this?? hell yea.
#563
#565
Looks really nice in the picture!
Blue's my favorite color, but in a real car at night the blue lights would really mess with my night vision--even on the lowest brightness setting. I even modded the high-beam indicator light's lens to be less bright (the Blue Sharpie Mod), and I'm considering going to Stage II on the BSM sometime soon because it's still brighter than I'd like.
C ya,
Dutch
Blue's my favorite color, but in a real car at night the blue lights would really mess with my night vision--even on the lowest brightness setting. I even modded the high-beam indicator light's lens to be less bright (the Blue Sharpie Mod), and I'm considering going to Stage II on the BSM sometime soon because it's still brighter than I'd like.
C ya,
Dutch
#568