It's All Happening...

Welcome to 2005! It's gonna be a big year...a big year indeed.

I have so much to report that I'm not sure where to start...ok here are the highlights - and since this is not communist China, this extra large edition of MB will be a choose-your-own-adventure- non-linear - read in any order you like- entry. Just click on the list below to jump to a "chapter". And Begin.

MINI Get's Seat-Pulls

MINI Get's BOOT Stripes

The MINIMechanic Get's A Helmet

MINIMechanic Get's Famous

MINIblog Get's Serious


MINI Get's Seat-Pulls

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This year I had a few MINI things on the old Christmas list- they included-
- Seat Pulls (from MOSS MINI)
- The New MINI Service Manual
- Boot Stripes (from Cooper Flags)

My Mom was generous enough to make sure that all of these arrived just in time for the long holiday weekends. So I was able to get everything installed before coming back to work.

For those that don't know- the "Seat Pulls" are a must have. They install in about 30 seconds (simply remove the rear headrests- slip on the seat-pulls and replace the headrest.)

But what do they do?- Simple as the clever name implies- they "pull" the "seat" back up from the folded down position. This may not seem like a big deal but for anyone who has laid the seats down in their mini - then tried to put them back up from the Boot - you know how hard it can be and that you practically have to climb into the car in order to accomplish this.

Well not anymore- the simple addition of these seat-pulls makes this task SO much easier. As you can see in the picture below- its simply a nylon strap with a small piece of velcro on the handle (to help stow it when the seats are up.) This is one of the best creature comfort mods I've done yet and would say it's a must for all MINI owners.



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MINI Get's Boot Stripes

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One of the other great arrivals was a set of "Boot Stripes" for the back of the MINI. I dunno if I just got bored and had to meddle, or if I had the idea for the rear stripes in the master plan all along. Either way I decided that I must have them and this time, unlike the Bonnet Stripes, I was going to install them myself.

Install them I did- and it was pretty easy.
They came from CooperFlags (courtesy of Mom)- The kit included- about exactly twice as much material as I needed to complete the install. This made me feel better because it meant if I screwed it up the first time, I could try again. In addition to many feet of high quality 3M White Vinyl separated into two LONG stripes, they also included detailed instructions and the much needed "Squeegee."

I had seen the installer do my bonnet stripes, so I was fairly confident that I could handle this myself. Nevertheless I decided to take it slow and try to do it right.

Here's what I did:

1. The first step was to clean the boot. I hosed it down and wiped it off with a lint free cloth.

2. Next I had to cut and pre-position the stripes. I did this with a razor-blade and some masking tape. This was probably the trickiest part. The boot is pretty curvy and is not as symmetrical as the bonnet due to the "Cooper" logo on the passenger side. I could see I was going to have to make some decisions regarding how the stripes would deal with the Cooper logo and the little flag that is sitting beneath it.



Since removal of the logo and flag were out of the question- I figured I would cut the stripes to fit- this was a little difficult but I think it turned out pretty nice.

3. Now that I had everything cut and taped to the car in the correct position- it was time to do the actual install. The main thing to know about this is that you need a spray bottle full of water and a little bit of DAWN dish washing detergent- this is KEY. Before application you have to remove the plastic layer from the sticky side of the graphics and spray the exposed surface down with this mixture as well as the surface of the car. This will allow you to slide the graphics around and make sure they are in the proper position before they set- once they are in the right spot...

4. Squeegee the living hell out of them! Make sure you get all the air bubbles out- pushing from the center to the edge. Once they are on pretty good- let them sit for a minute then remove the top layer of protective film from the top side of the stripe - then wrap the squeegee in a soft cloth and go over the stripe a few more times.

5. Done. Allow to set for about 24 hours before washing the car.

The hardest part of the whole thing was cutting and positioning the stripes. I think the result was pretty good- not perfect, but I think I'm the only one who will ever spot the imperfections. Truth is - that if they still bug me after a week or so, I have enough material to try again- so no big deal.

Here are some pics of the finished product:





Moving on...

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The MINIMechanic Get's A Helmet

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So as you know I've been autocrossing the MINI as often as I can, and both the car, and I, seem to enjoy it a great deal. I felt that since I plan on continuing this activity it may be time to invest in some essential gear. I happened to recently aquire a gift certificate to AMAZON.com and could think of no better use for it than a HELMET for autocross.

I know, I know- stop screaming let me explain- So I bought a helmet on the internet- seems silly- maybe even a little unsafe- to you I say "You're right".... but- I was bored and had free money- cut me some slack. Te helmet was reasonably priced and I figured worth a shot- and I could always return it if I wasn't satisfied.

That said- everything turned out great. I emailed my measurements to the company (IronHorse Helmets) and they shipped me a helmet that was a PERFECT fit.

When it finally came (about a week later) it was shiny and black just like it was supposed to be- it fit great, but was badly in need of some customization.

Having just ordered some MINIMechanic Vinyl Window Stickers I thought this would be the perfect place to try them out. I have to say, I think they look pretty damn sweet.

Here is a pic of me wearing my new helmet, reading my new favorite book:


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MINIMechanic Get's Famous

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In other news- It has recently come to my attention that MINIMechanic.com has been featured in the UK's "goMINI" magazine. To those guys I would like to say- thanks! you have great taste :)

We were featured on page 73 in the "WebWatch" section along with 3 other sites.

Here's what they had to say about the site:


I would say that is fairly complimentary- thanks guys!

Here are some shots of what the layout looked like:


(MINIMechanic appeared in higlighted section)

If you would like to subscribe to GOMINI (its a pretty cool mag) Click here.

So this is kind of huge for the site and indicative of the kind of attention we've been going for. I'd like to thank those who read/visit the site often and hope that you find it helpful and entertaining. I have big things in store for the new year.

Which brings us to...

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MINIblog Get's Serious

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Up until recently MINIMechanic has been fully funded by me- this is cool, and fun- but I would like to be able to expand the site, and provide a bit more to the readers. In order to achieve these goals, while simoultaneously reducing the strain on my wallet- I have setup an adserver for the site and will be offering VERY limited ad space to a select few advertisers that I think have usefull and quality products that could benefit my readers.

So MINIMechanic is all growns up.

I am also working on ways to increase traffic and readership in an effort to enhance the community aspect of the site. Speaking of community I recently put up a message board where you can go and discuss MINI stuff (I know, I know- another message board?) I know there are a bunch of great message boards already out there- but maybe this one can be great too? (It's just an experiment). The idea is to make the blog more interactive- no more one sided ranting.

Like I said before, this is not communist China.

And in conclusion...

So why the SUPER Long entry? I admit that I could have dragged this out for 3 or 4 entries and saved myself some time or effort- but that's not what I'm about- I give it to you all at once, hold nothing back- that's my motto. 'nuff said.

That and - the LA Carshow is next weekend and that's entry is gonna be a monster as well- so I figured why not get this stuff out of the way presently.

Ok- That is all. Hope everyone had a great holiday season.

PS-
Interested in Ad space? or have suggestions of some great companies who deserve attention? Let Me Know

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