ciaranob
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2021
- Threads
- 83
- Messages
- 3,513
- Reaction score
- 2,572
- Location
- Houston, TX
- Vehicles
- CT4S 2022 Mini Cooper S 2024 Electric in 2025/6
- Thread starter
- #1
Thought I'd share a few pics outside of my main Mods thread as many might be interested in some of the cosmetic 'solutions' I went after to upgrade my 2022 4S Cross Turismo. All the Mod detail are in the main thread - just some visuals here:
Here is the link to my Mods thread with some shots that actually might be better than those here! #197
Main highlights:
1) All patterned OEM plastic sanded and painted Satin Black (rear and front facies, side skirts etc).
2) Side and rear red reflectors and OEM 'Monkey Butt' removed with plastic welded body work and all painted Satin Black.
3) Wheel arches painted body color and covered in Xpel Ultimate.
4) headlight black plastic and charge door swipe surfaces painted OEM Gloss Black.
When you sign up for a job like this be prepared to be patient - process can take 3-5 weeks depending on full or partial car and competency of your customizer - the sanding process alone is extremely time consuming.
Hard to capture in pics and apologies light conditions when I took these really not good but you can still get the feel for the changes which I think came out superb - def one of those improvements better seen in the 'flesh'!
Earlier shot in more flat light conditions:
Rest shot this AM in less favorable light conditions:
The harsh/bright light tends to make the Satin on the rear here look more glossy than it actually is - contrast is more obvious with OEM gloss black diffuser.
This pic by contrast is tending to over do the contrast between grey and black! Here I had the "tear drop" headlight inserts painted glass black to match the other upper body gloss black elements and the front facia is Satin black after removing the OEM patterned finish.
Another view of the front sanded/re-painted facia albeit in bad shadow!
Rear facia/valance sanded/painted satin black contrasting with the OEM gloss black diffuser - note the complete absence of the side red reflectors (plastic welded out and valance re-pained) and the rear red reflectors painted satin black.
Another view:
Here is the link to my Mods thread with some shots that actually might be better than those here! #197
Main highlights:
1) All patterned OEM plastic sanded and painted Satin Black (rear and front facies, side skirts etc).
2) Side and rear red reflectors and OEM 'Monkey Butt' removed with plastic welded body work and all painted Satin Black.
3) Wheel arches painted body color and covered in Xpel Ultimate.
4) headlight black plastic and charge door swipe surfaces painted OEM Gloss Black.
When you sign up for a job like this be prepared to be patient - process can take 3-5 weeks depending on full or partial car and competency of your customizer - the sanding process alone is extremely time consuming.
Hard to capture in pics and apologies light conditions when I took these really not good but you can still get the feel for the changes which I think came out superb - def one of those improvements better seen in the 'flesh'!
Earlier shot in more flat light conditions:
Rest shot this AM in less favorable light conditions:
The harsh/bright light tends to make the Satin on the rear here look more glossy than it actually is - contrast is more obvious with OEM gloss black diffuser.
This pic by contrast is tending to over do the contrast between grey and black! Here I had the "tear drop" headlight inserts painted glass black to match the other upper body gloss black elements and the front facia is Satin black after removing the OEM patterned finish.
Another view of the front sanded/re-painted facia albeit in bad shadow!
Rear facia/valance sanded/painted satin black contrasting with the OEM gloss black diffuser - note the complete absence of the side red reflectors (plastic welded out and valance re-pained) and the rear red reflectors painted satin black.
Another view:
Last edited: