Must-have modifications

That would be so cool, as I live a short drive from that plant...

 

Your Mini SE and mine look very similar, except I don't have the yellow mirrors, however I have the same rims... I too bought the custom G2 paint, good to know it's very close to the actual energetic colors... it's been too hot here lately for me to paint the calipers but I'm hoping with the cooler weather coming I can knock this project out soon!

Any lessons learned or things you'd do differently that I may want to know? Thx!

 

I was going to paint mine with the G2 (black) today as well, but it’s only 46° outside and dewy. Tomorrow it’s supposed to hit 73° and only a slight chance of showers in the afternoon so I think it’s tomorrow.

 

Thankfully no major issues or learned lessons to share, it was pretty straightforward. Even though the G2 system is brush on and not spray, I'd still recommend covering things with a garbage bag just in case. A small hole cut in the bag and then stretched over the caliper and taped to hold up worked well.

 

Great glad to hear! Sounds good thank you! It's also validating to hear that G2 matched the paint pretty closely, I was nervous about that... Instructions said to not to open until just before you use so I didn't want to open the can to check knowing that I wouldn't be able to paint the calipers for awhile until it cooled down.

 

Yeah I'm in S. California and it's still relatively warm... didn't want to take the risk of painting them and the heat screwing it up... the G2 instructions indicated it needed to be much cooler...

 

@LittleWoods I'm curious how much prep/cleaning you had to do to the actual calipers themselves prior to painting? I know all the YouTube videos say this is super important to do thoroughly so the paint adheres and dries properly... Not sure how old your Mini is but mine is only ~3 mo old with ~1500mi on it so my calipers look pretty darn new. Anyway, was just curious, thanks.

 

The G2 kit comes with cleaner spray, mine also look almost new so I plan to just use it without any extra steps. On previous cars I went to town with brake cleaner, wire brushes, emory cloth, and isoprop.

 

Got it yeah I saw that when my G2 kit arrived... Just wasn't sure if I had to get in there with wire brushes and all sorts of other stuff like you had previously done... interested to see how yours come out... assuming the weather continues to cool down here, I may attempt this next weekend!

 

I’ll only get a chance midweek, forecast is 19° (66°) and dry.

 

@SameGuy curious if you got around to painting your calipers and how they turned out? I'm going to attempt this tomorrow since it's FINALLY cooling off here in SoCal.

 

Nope. Siht Happens™. Maybe next week. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

Might end up doing it in the garage if the temperatures are consistently below 50°. Wife will hate that, because I intend to leave it up on jackstands overnight before putting the wheels back on.

 

HAHA... I hear ya!

 

Same here although my wife doesn't care... I have to do mine in the garage as I don't have flat ground to jack the car up as my drive way is a bit too slanted... Plus it'll just be cleaner, less dust, wind, etc.

 

@LittleWoods - was your G2 custom paint (C4N) green? I'm so frustrated, I got my car up on all 4 jacks, wheels off, calipers cleaned, everything taped off and open the paint of can to find it an odd green color, nothing that even resembles a hint of yellow. I dumped the hardner in and let it sit for 5m thinking maybe as it cures a bit it'll change a little... nope still green.

I was too nervous to put it on my car so I sealed the can back up, put the car back together and ended the day completely frustrated. I'm not sure if G2 will give me my money back because technically the paint is 'used' even though I didn't use it. I'm going to call them on Monday and see how far I can get.
I noticed on their site they had this Mini yellow: https://www.g2usa.com/product/CBCP-902.html that seems closer but I don't know could end up also looking funky... maybe I just go with black and play it safe all around?

But I think we can all agree that G2's version of energetic yellow (C4N) is not at all energetic or yellow! UGGH!!!

 

MINI has different yellows, which I learned when I got Countryman yellow wheel caps. They don't look anything like the SE's Energetic Yellow, so I ended up replacing them with actual SE wheel caps.

 

Sure I understand there are differences.. my frustration is that they say if provided the right manufacturer's code they can custom match any color... but if I google C4N what comes up isn't even close to that weird green color they sent me.

 

I use this yellow on my calipers and bc is behind rims lighter yellow shows much better than factory spraying in to a tuna can use soft small brush good quality I did 3 coats as a car was up of the ground 4 wheels just work around and be above 65” temperature and don’t drive at least over night. I did this with 70 miles on odometer just wipe a dust as preparation for painting and with Victory spokes I don’t see my beautiful job I did.