Grille moustache vs. paint

[skorstensfejeren]

Hi Guys..

Just wanted to hear on youre experience on putting the moustache on the car as original. Does it ruin the paint over time, or
orther problems like vibrations and so..
Would you prefer a seal like later versions.. ( mk3 on )

Looking forward to read...


René

[Charlynsane]

Hello

When I started to refurbished my mk1, I bought a mk1 grille surround from minipares..

Because mine was rusty and used to have a lot of dent,

It was very very difficult to fit.. and you have to do it very very carefully to not damage the fresh paint..


If you can, keep the original grill surround, it's easier to fit

[skorstensfejeren]

Hello

When I started to refurbished my mk1, I bought a mk1 grille surround from minipares..

Because mine was rusty and used to have a lot of dent,

It was very very difficult to fit.. and you have to do it very very carefully to not damage the fresh paint..


If you can, keep the original grill surround, it's easier to fit

Hi mate..

Thanks for your input.

I'm using a NOS sourround on mine. And had no problems with fittings it to the car, i'm only wondering
If the paint would be damaged over rime because it's puttet direcly ti the paint..
Thinking on small vibrations and so..

Rene

[R&R]

I use a thin chrome moulding from COH baines, part number is CP26 or FP26 I think. It is the same as the one used on the later mini grilles, and doesn't look out of place.

[mk1]

I have never bothered fitting anything. Yes, the moustache does cut through the paint over time, but that's how they were made.

If you are bothered about this then Paul's suggestion may be a good way to go.

m

[dklawson]

My car has its original grille surround (albeit, with some minor dent and twist repair). I was concerned about it cutting into the paint so I took a length of small diameter plastic tubing and split it open along its length so it was like an extruded closed letter "C". I slipped that over the edge of the surround so the sharp metal edge would not make any cuts in the paint. I happened to have had some tiny small bore Teflon (PTFE) tubing which worked great. Nylon tubing would work equally well but may be harder to find in a translucent form and it will be harder to split along its length. Small chrome plated plastic edge trim as suggested above should work fine.

[Vegard]

My car has its original grille surround (albeit, with some minor dent and twist repair). I was concerned about it cutting into the paint so I took a length of small diameter plastic tubing and split it open along its length so it was like an extruded closed letter "C". I slipped that over the edge of the surround so the sharp metal edge would not make any cuts in the paint. I happened to have had some tiny small bore Teflon (PTFE) tubing which worked great. Nylon tubing would work equally well but may be harder to find in a translucent form and it will be harder to split along its length. Small chrome plated plastic edge trim as suggested above should work fine.

Isn't this standard on the MK3?

[madaboutcherry]

I have these on my mk11, no. 23.

http://www.somerfordmini.co.uk/eshop/in ... ts_id=1553

[pdb]

How about trying to find a radiator hose, heater hose or something similar with the correct outside diameter, cut it into smaller pieces and then place them different places inside the grille surround. Hopefully it would only just keep the sharp edge away from paint, and you would still be able to keep the original look?

[ChrisM]

Helicopter blade tape. Its clear and adhesive. I use it on bike frames to stop cable rub etc. Sold also as MTB frame protector tape.

[sandman]

Dosn't someone sell something for this on E-bay...? Sure I've seen it there...

[InimiaD]

Yes, someone was selling a strip of small rubber U section complete with an adhesive on the inside. I bought a length of it for my Woody, but never used it, for some reason.
I haven't seen it on ebay for quite a while though.

[skorstensfejeren]

Thanks for your comments guys. Nice to hear.
I've found a very small clear u formed seal, Think i'm going
to use that, so i can save the paintjob...