Page 2 of 2
Re: Chrome wheel arch trims
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 5:50 pm
by 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...

Re: Chrome wheel arch trims
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 6:12 pm
by Terence
.....
Re: Chrome wheel arch trims
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 7:59 pm
by 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.
Re: Chrome wheel arch trims
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 7:53 pm
by 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
Re: Chrome wheel arch trims
Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 8:11 am
by mk1
All trim comes on a large dia roll. I haven't seen the tightly rolled stuff in 20 years.
Re: Chrome wheel arch trims
Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 12:35 pm
by Pete
Minispares currently have no stock of this. Anyone got any spare MS trim?

Re: Chrome wheel arch trims
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 8:29 am
by MiNiKiN
Pete wrote: ↑Thu Jan 14, 2021 12:35 pm
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?
Re: Chrome wheel arch trims
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 8:38 am
by Meister-Mini
First warm Water, than help with Heat gun. But better fit it first time bevor Painting the Shell^^
Re: Chrome wheel arch trims
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 8:45 am
by mk1
Got to be honest, I wouldn't be fitting chrome trim at this time of year. Wait until it's a bit warmer!!!!!
Re: Chrome wheel arch trims
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 9:26 am
by 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!
Re: Chrome wheel arch trims
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 9:36 am
by 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.
Re: Chrome wheel arch trims
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 11:15 am
by mk1
Personally, I suspect that using a heat gun, even on a low setting probably makes the trim MORE likely to kink than not.
Re: Chrome wheel arch trims
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 11:23 am
by 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
Re: Chrome wheel arch trims
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 9:09 pm
by InnoCooperExport
MiNiKiN wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 8:29 am
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
Re: Chrome wheel arch trims
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:27 am
by 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.