How To: Rear Badge Removal [PICS]

In a fit of boredom inspiration, I decided to remove the rear badging from my beloved MINI (To take photos of the process was an afterthought. Sorry for the crappy cellphone quality).

The rear badge we know and love...

Step One: Tape off with Painter's Tape (optional but recommended)...

Dental Floss (The cheap kind. Don't use this.)

Step Two: Floss Gently.


Trivia: Floss goes through fingernails better than double-sided tape...

The process continues...

Badge Removed. But you're not done yet!...

The aftermath... Rear Badge, preserved for future use; and about 3 feet of (cheap) dental floss...

Back to work on the tape... Don't use this! (duh)

Plastic scraper from "goo-gone" kit. Better? (note the question mark)

Step Three: Wet & Scrape, repeat as needed...


Looking good! (but only because you can't see the scratches left behind! Grrrr!)...

Step Four: Cut & Polish... (this did not remove the scratches completely!) :(


Wax on, wax off... (Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax, not shown)

The result:




Estimated time: 15-30 minutes.

Supplies used:

• Blue Painter's Tape
• Dental Floss
• Goo-gone® kit (liquid & scraper)
• Meguiar's Speed Glaze + applicator
• Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax (not shown) + microfiber

Tips I learned: If you have all the correct supplies BEFORE you begin, you can probably crank it out in about 15 minutes.

Things I wish I knew before I started: How the heck do you remove the double-sided tape remnants without leaving scratches?

Dead Key Fix. Best MINI Tip Ever! (so far)

A NAM* member writes:

"...my key stopped working in that the remote lock/unlock feature is not working... Can I fix this myself, or must I take the key to the dealer?"

Now of course, if you ask the dealer, he might say "...and that's $200 for the new key, $50 for re-programming, and you can pay the girl at the desk."

Thankfully we've got InterWeb®, with the power to connect like-minded people(s). And we all know by now there is never a problem someone has not already experienced and written about. And this is where "Steve" comes in (if that is his real name).

Steve responds with:

"The problem is that one of your keys lost it's association with the car. It is not a dead or defective battery. It has happened to me twice in the past year. You need to have all the keys with you when you get in the car. Step 1..."

Sure I could copy, paste, and repost the whole breakdown here, but that would be a) rude, b) stealing (sort of), and c) not giving our buddy Steve his "props" (my staff make me say that).

*Go read the 4 minute solution yourself over at NorthAmericanMotoring.com. You'll be glad you did. And when you need to use it, tell Steve "thanks"!

Now I'm feeling You-i-fied! "MODS GONE WILD". The Complete List*

*I couldn't settle on a title for this post, so you get all three!

Yesterday was my MINI's first birthday.

While not really a major milestone, it did cause me to reflect back on the fun and excitement we've shared so far. Then I remembered: That is the main purpose of the "BUSHFINGER MINI" blog in the first place! I decided to create this little "modifications timeline" for posterity's sake (and a little time-killin' too). This also serves as a tribute of sorts, to all of the wonderful dealers and vendors out there that make owning and "you-i-fying" a MINI Cooper, so damn fun! And so it begins:

Thursday, July 13, 2006
I picked up "Mr. Biggleworth" from the dealer. It had 11 miles on it. And chrome side view mirrors. I specifically said black, yo! (Two week later, I went back to the dealer and swapped them out from a new MINI straight across. Does that count as a mod?)

What came with the car:
MINI Aux Input
MINI Chrome Exhaust Tips
MINI Grill Badge Holder
MINI Outdoor Car Cover
That little scuff-guard thing for the boot

Installed within the first week:
Alta Stubby Antenna (from my previous MINI)
MINI Magnetic Stone Guards (from my previous MINI)
LoJack (ordered with the car, installed a week later)
Tinted Windows from The Tint Factory (Loma Linda, Ca.)

July 06:
DIY MCS Intake Screen/Air Scoop Grill
Mini-Mania Ultrik Cold Air Intake. Who puts in a CAI at ~700 miles? Well, it was free.


Aug 06:
(Finally took the MINI Outdoor Car Cover out of the box.)
A slew of Grill Badges by MotoringBadges.com
MINIEyes by Rouge Minis
Spy Toggle Cover from MINIUSA.COM (the first hint of the "Spy Car")


Oct. 06:
TomTom GO300 GPS Navigation Device
New Wheels/Tires (sort of): I already had a set of Toyo Proxies TPT 205/50R16 and ICW Racing Wheels from my previous MINI. It just took 4 months to put them on.


Nov. 06:
Unplanned mod: The infamous "curb incident"


Dec. 06:
Limited Edition Front License Plate Holder by Blair Butler (yo- you cain't even git dis yo!)


Feb. 07:
Leather Knee Pad by MyMINIparts (now minspeed.com)
Sylvania SilverStar Turn Signal Bulbs
H-Sport 19mm "Sport" Rear Swaybar
Honeycomb supercharger scoop insert by ImagoX


March 07:
Chrome Expressions 808 Titanium Silver with Machined Lip
Alta 15% Version 2.0 Supercharger Pulley (Installed at AMVIV!)


April 07:
Escort Passort 8500 x50
Pirelli P6 205/50R16


May 07:
M7 Strut Brace (originally Purchased at AMVIV, just now installed!)




June 07: MINI hits it's first 10,000 miles. (Not a mod, but an interesting milestone nonetheless!)

And that's just the first year!
Geepers, what's left?! I'm sure I've forgotten something. I'll update this entry as these come to mind.

:bmp:

Lookie What I Got! Honeycomb Supercharger Scoop Insert

I know when I've been one-upped. Sometimes I don't care- especially when *I* benefit from it too! Take for example, when ImagoX (NAM) one-upped my Intake Screen with his more aesthetic Honeycomb version (gotta love it any time you can deface Dodge RAM parts)!

Read all about it on Northamericanmotoring.com!