Trident Bonnet Stripe Decal Kit Install Guide - MINI R60

Clean Bonnet Surface

1. Let’s start by giving your MINI’s bonnet (hood) a thorough cleaning in preparation for the decals. A clay bar treatment would be perfect at this time, but we understand this process is not for everyone. Once the surface is dry, wipe down the area again with a lint-free, soft cloth making sure there are no swirls or debris left behind. Any imperfections left on the paint may be visible through the decals.



2. Take your utility spray bottle, fill it with water and add a couple small drops of dish soap. Shake it up and set it aside.

Measure the Stripe Layout

1. Before we begin slapping on the decals, we’ll need to mark off where they will lay on the hood, so grab the stripes, your painters tape and a measuring tape and let’s get to it. For this install we'll be measuring from two reference points on the bonnet (hood); the MINI emblem and the washer nozzles. Take a length of tape and place it from one washer nozzle across the hood to the other one. Measure between the two nozzles and place a mark at the center with your marking pen (approx 9.563"). Next, take a long piece of tape and place it down the center of the hood from the belt line trim beneath the front windscreen, going thru the center tape mark between the nozzles and down to the center of the hood emblem. Get down low to the hood and look up along the tape to ensure that it is as straight as possible going up to the beltline trim.









2. Peel the ends of the nozzle tape up till it meets the center tape applied to the centerline of the hood and tear off the tape.





3. Lay two short lengths of tape on both sides of the centerline tape so that their outer edge width is approx 2.375".



4. Place two more short lengths of tape down by the emblem at the same width (2.375") and up at the top by the beltline.



5. You should now be able to test fit your bonnet decals and become familiar with where they'll be placed during the actual installation. The two bonnet stripe halves should maintain a consistent 2.375" distance from each other down the entirety of the bonnet and have equal spacing around the MINI emblem. Use a few more pieces of tape to hold them into place while you stand back and assess their placement.

Prepare the Bonnet Stripe Decals

1. Using your x-acto knife or some scissors, trim around the perimeter of the stripes to within approx .125” (1/8”) from the vinyl if this has not already been done so. This will give the proper spacing away from the beltline trim and from the tape indicators you applied onto the bonnet.



2. With the bonnet stripes trimmed out and ready to apply, bring them over to the car and set them against your tape marks and the beltline just below the front wind screen to confirm fitment one last time before proceeding. If you're satisfied with their placement, move on to the next step, otherwise, make your final adjustments now.

Apply the Bonnet Stripes

1. Take one of the bonnet decals and completely peel the backing paper off so that the adhesive side is exposed. Do your best not to touch the vinyl and leave any fingerprints on it that could affect the adhesion, and whatever you do.. don't drop it!





2. Spray an even coat of your soap/water solution to both sides of the decal. It doesn’t need to be completely soaked… it just needs enough for you to be able to readjust the decal if you don’t set it down perfectly straight on the first try. Spray the stripe area of the bonnet as well





3. Carefully set the decal down onto the bonnet with the windshield edge of the decal right up against the beltline trim and lining up the inside edge with the taped layout marks. The mixed solution should allow you to pull up and reposition the decal if necessary and you may even be able to slide it around a bit.



4. Once you’re pleased with its positioning, start from the middle and gently squeegee the soap/water solution out from under the decal. Use the soft, lint-free cloth to clean up any excess solution while you work the decal down. Use the hard plastic edge of the squeegee on the transfer paper, but once you peel the transfer paper off, to avoid any scratching of the vinyl only use the microfiber edge.



5. Once you’ve thoroughly gone over the first decal a couple times, give it a rest and proceed with the other side. This will allow the solution to evaporate a little bit and assist with adhesion before peeling the transfer paper off.



6. Ok.. you’ve fully squeegeed both decals down. Starting at one end, gently peel the transfer paper back upon itself to facilitate separation of the vinyl from the paper. If the decal wants to come up with the paper, use the soft-side of the squeegee to press it back down again. Don’t worry too much about any air bubbles or creases at this time. You can address those once the transfer paper is completely removed.





7. Once you have the transfer paper completely removed, inspect the decal for any creases or solution bubbles. In all likelihood you’re probably going to have bubbles to some extent that will need attention. Use the microfiber side of the squeegee to work the bubbles to the edge of the decal and then soak up the solution with the soft, lint-free cloth.





8. For pesky bubbles that don’t want to slide to the edge, try to combine them by pushing them toward one another and then piercing the vinyl with your x-acto knife. You should then be able to squeegee the solution out through this tiny hole. Any minor bubbles or surface imperfections that you can’t seem to eliminate should disappear over the next couple of weeks as the solution evaporates and the vinyl decal shrinks a wee bit. Leaving the car exposed in the sun will help speed up this process.

Congratulations… your install is complete! Stand back and admire your handiwork!