I’ve always been a massive fan of the Mini F54. It’s a car I’d long admired and dreamed of owning, even before watching Peter (PetrolPed)’s videos about the Mini Clubman. Admittedly, his incredible upgrades gave me some ideas, though it’s a shame what happened to his Charlie Clubman. For me, the Mini Clubman John Cooper Works (JCW) 2021 is a dream realised. The 306 horsepower and the all-wheel drive (All4) were huge selling points that sealed the deal.
That said, the Mini Clubman’s design has always been divisive. Some fans couldn’t quite embrace its unique styling, and perhaps that’s why Mini decided to discontinue the model earlier this year. But for me, it’s a gem of a car – the perfect balance of practicality and performance. However, there was one thing I struggled to live with: the colour.
Red Just Wasn’t Me
Let me clarify, I have nothing against the iconic JCW red. It’s a signature look and undeniably striking. But I quickly realised that it wasn’t for me. I thought I could live with it, but deep down, I always envisioned the car in blue – my favourite colour and the theme of our wedding. If the car had stayed red, I honestly don’t think I’d still own it today.
While brainstorming ideas for the Clubman, I stumbled across the incredible talent of Cam (@cb15_designs) on Instagram. His profile showcased stunning sketches of people’s cars, and I knew I had to reach out. This was the perfect chance to see if he could mock up a bold new look for my car—blue stripes and a matching blue roof.
The sketch he delivered was nothing short of amazing. It brought my vision to life and sealed the deal.
The decision was made—goodbye red, hello blue! Here’s the sketch that sparked it all. Pretty cool, right?
Enter My Brother-in-Law, Daoud
This is where my brother-in-law, Daoud, comes into the picture. Known as @thatsignguyuk on Instagram, he’s a Cardiff-based sign writer who specialises in vehicle livery, shop signage, window manifestations, and much more. When I asked for his blessing to marry his sister, I also had a cheeky request: turn my Mini Clubman from red to blue.
He accepted both requests. But wrapping the Mini Clubman was no easy task. The complexity of the job was largely due to the roof bars – a feature I insisted on when upgrading from the Cooper S Clubman to the JCW version, despite never actually using them!
Daoud expertly recommended a wrap and colour that perfectly aligned with the original concept. In the end, we chose the ARLON PCC Premium Wrap Film 414 Gloss Berry Blue. It’s a relatively new option, having launched in 2021. While there are other premium wraps available, like Avery Dennison and 3M, the ARLON stood out as the best match for this project. Ultimately, the choice comes down to finding the colour and brand that bring your vision to life.
The Challenges of Wrapping
If the car didn’t have roof bars, the wrap would have been straightforward. Without them, Daoud could’ve wrapped directly over the top. However, with the roof bars in place, and Daoud being the perfectionist he is, he knew they had to come off to do the job properly.
That turned out to be a mission. Removing the roof bars requires taking down the headlining without damaging it. It also involves dismantling a significant portion of the interior, including passenger handles, sunroof edging (yes, my Mini has a sunroof too), and various control centre components. All of this had to be done carefully to avoid interfering with the side airbags.
With our wedding deadline looming, Daoud initially wrapped around the roof bars. He added the stripes I’d requested, and the result was stunning. It was one of the best car wraps I’d ever seen. But to Daoud, it wasn’t perfect.
A Year Later: The Perfect Wrap
Fast forward a year, and the Mini Clubman was back in Daoud’s garage. This time, he stripped the car properly to remove the roof bars. Taking the first wrap off was surprisingly easy followed by a full clean and decontamination. However, once they were gone, he could wrap directly over the roof without the same issues as before.
The final result? Absolutely breathtaking. The blue wrap transformed the car, ditching the fan-favourite JCW red for a colour that feels more personal and unique to me. It’s everything I envisioned and more.
What Do You Think?
So, here it is: my Mini Clubman JCW in blue. Are you a fan of the new look? It’s been an exciting transformation, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
If you’re thinking of changing your Mini or any other car, I can’t recommend Daoud (@thatsignguyuk) enough. Check out his Instagram to see if he can help bring your vision to life.
