How to fit a Lohen MINI Belt Line Kit

8 July 2020

One of the most fun parts of owning a MINI is the almost unlimited variations available to you to overhaul its look.

Taking the iconic aesthetic of the MINI and putting your own spin on it, allows your own personality to shine through and stand out from the rest of the pack.

Although it doesn’t seem like it would make a huge difference, the most common areas that we’re often asked about tweaking are the chrome accessories and trim as for some MINI owners’ tastes they shine through a little too much.

When the new MINI first came on the market, chrome accessories and trims were the height of car fashion but as time’s gone on not only has the demand for chrome subsided, but the appetite for MINI owners to customise just about every element of their car has increased.

Luckily, as de-chroming your MINI is now one of the most common aesthetic changes that are made by MINI owners it’s become very simple to do for most of the components.

How to de-chrome your MINI

If the chrome look isn’t for you then there are some easy ways of de-chroming or blacking out the trim and other components. Whilst it may be tempting to, painting over any chrome parts is very much inadvisable as this could lead to peeling and other unsightly damage.

For the most part, there are replacement trim sets that you can buy to switch up the colour, including headlight trims, side scuttle inserts and even steering wheel trim covers.

We also offer replacements for parts such as the door handles and petrol filler cap, and with a bit of patience and the right tools you can fit these yourself.

One of the easiest and most effective areas to update is the window trim or beltline, which instantly upgrades the look of your car, making the paintwork stand out. To replace the window trim, use our De-chrome Belt Line Kit, which is suitable for all MINI models.

Available in Matt Black, Gloss Black or Gloss Red, the kit contains high-quality vinyl in pre-cut lengths to allow you to fit with ease and cover up any unwanted OEM chrome components on the beltline.

Although it might take you around 2-3 hours, this job to transform the look of your car is easy enough to do on the driveway, if you’re not confident doing it yourself, get in touch and we can arrange it for you.

How To Fit

Here’s a quick run through of how to fit a de-chrome beltline kit to your MINI, with all the tools and equipment you’ll need.

Before you start, it’s important to make sure that you are working in dry conditions, the surface you’ll be applying the vinyl to is clean and that you have all equipment to hand so you’re able to complete the task quickly and smoothly.

Tools required

Lohen De-Chrome Beltline Kit - make sure you select the variant for your car
Lohen Decal Application Kit
Very sharp blade or knife
Protective gloves
Lint-free cloth
A heat gun or hair dryer (Not essential but highly recommended)

Step by Step Guide

Preparation

Step 1

Once you have all the tools and equipment to hand you can begin to prepare the surface by applying the Step 1 Adhesive Remover to a clean cloth to remove any leftover adhesive or dirt from the beltline. Wipe dry with a clean section of the cloth once complete.

Step 2

Follow this by applying the Step 2 Pre Cleaner solution to the cloth, wiping along the beltline and drying with a clean section of the cloth.

Step 3

Lastly, apply the Step 3 Final Cleaner to the cloth and wipe along the beltline ensuring that it is completely clear of any dirt, dust or other contaminants.

Step 4

Using a heat gun or hair dryer, apply heat to the chrome beltline until it is warm to the touch. This allows the vinyl to adhere to the surface more easily.

Application

Step 5

Place the first pre-cut piece of vinyl slightly over the edge of the beltline section that you are working. Please note, while each strip of vinyl is pre-cut, you will need to trim with a sharp blade to provide a clean finish.

Step 6

Carefully line up the vinyl strip to the top of the rubber which is located above the top of the beltline, ensuring that you do not apply the vinyl to the rubber but only to the chrome. Working 2-3cm at a time, pull the vinyl tight and stretch across, making sure the top of the vinyl is flush against the top of the chrome bar.

Step 7

Once you have lined up around 10cm of vinyl you can run your finger across the bottom of the vinyl and it should sit flush against the bottom of the beltline with no chrome being visible.

Step 8

Working in small sections at a time, continue to work along the beltline, ensuring that the vinyl covers only the chrome section. Once completed, run the Lohen squeegee along the beltline to remove any air bubbles or creases.

Step 9

Now the vinyl has been installed on the beltline, apply heat using a heat gun or hair dryer to allow the material to contract and adhere to the surface.

Step 10

Apply heat to the overlapped edges to provide an effective seal, which will allow you to cut more easily and accurately.

Final touches

Step 11

Use the non-felted edge of the squeegee to press in the edges along the top and bottom of the beltline.

Step 12

Cut along the vinyl along the edge of the rubber that is on the end of each piece of belt line to provide a neat end seal. Once these edges have been trimmed, apply heat for the final time to make sure that the edges adhere securely.

Step 13

Admire your work! You should now have successfully fitted your Lohen beltline kit with no air bubbles or creases. Work through the step by step process again to complete the look around the entire vehicle’s beltline.