Chrome wheel arch trims

[IslandBlue]

I've had success using a heat gun on a low setting, the main issue is when the seam you are trying to press the trim over is not perfect or thicker than it should be, which seems to be especially common around the curved parts annoyingly This on a car with some pretty ugly past repair work...

[Terence]

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[InnoCooperExport]

When I bought the deluxe trim for the Inno, the Minispares stuff was out of stock and they couldn't tell me when they were getting more. When I placed my last order there was some in stock so I've ordered it as I bought some from eBay (I think it was from something like MiniBitz? not sure anymore) and it kinked horribly. It's a real mess. Annoys me every time I see it. Hoping the new MS stock is better! I will try the alu-strip method as well.

[Craig]

I have always had good success with the stuff from COH Baines ,possibly because it comes in a large diameter roll .
Not tightly rolled as I've seen from other suppliers.

Lots of patience is also required .......


Craig

[mk1]

All trim comes on a large dia roll. I haven't seen the tightly rolled stuff in 20 years.

[Pete]

Minispares currently have no stock of this. Anyone got any spare MS trim?

[MiNiKiN]

Minispares currently have no stock of this. Anyone got any spare MS trim?

Out of stock again? I just got my de luxe trim from MS yesterday (ordered 20th Dec.)

My plan is to warm it up in some warm water prior to fitting. Any good/bad experience in doing so?

[Meister-Mini]

First warm Water, than help with Heat gun. But better fit it first time bevor Painting the Shell^^

[mk1]

Got to be honest, I wouldn't be fitting chrome trim at this time of year. Wait until it's a bit warmer!!!!!

[W1NG3D]

Last time I did this I used some warm water and fitted the trim on a nice sunny day, took some patience to get right but it wasn't really too tricky in the end - no heat gun needed. I need to do it again now as I ended up stealing the trim off my car for another Mini which I later sold, but will definitely be waiting until the weather warms up before attempting it again!

[Andrew1967]

Well as I said earlier, I just warmed it up in the airing cupboard for a few days then in front on an electric fire and put it on, no problems, no kinks. That was on nice standard thickness lips.

With past experience I find that putting in hot water is great for the first tight curve but by the time you get to the front A panel curve its cooled down and is actually stiffer than it was before it was put in the hot water.

The above said, it's definitely better to do it on a hot summer day when you can leave it on the roof of the car for a few hours before fitting it. I just had to do something the other day, so took a chance. Maybe it wasn't the best idea but it paid off.

[mk1]

Personally, I suspect that using a heat gun, even on a low setting probably makes the trim MORE likely to kink than not.

[Chewie Baker]

i've got a roll of this, brand new from Phoenix Trim, if anyone needs?

i've used theirs before and its good stuff

[InnoCooperExport]

Out of stock again? I just got my de luxe trim from MS yesterday (ordered 20th Dec.)

My plan is to warm it up in some warm water prior to fitting. Any good/bad experience in doing so?

Marcus we are eerily in sync it seems. Did you also buy a set of horns and sound deadening?

I seem to recall MS warning against using warm water as it might discolour the trim, it says on the product page: "Heat with a hair drier to help get it fit the bends on the bodywork(or carefully warm up slowly in oven to make supple)do not use hot water as it may cause discolouration."

http://minispares.com/product/Classic/B ... o%20search

[MiNiKiN]

@Marcus: RTFM Okay,so I better not not put it in warm water, unless I aim to get a rustoration look

No, I haven't ordered the other items - but I thought I better be quick with ordering the trim, as so many items went out of stock whilst I blinked.