Thread: 2007 Mini Cooper 7" Screen Fab Help

Well, I purchased an Exacto solder hot knife to cut as straight a line a possible between the volume knob and A/C controls. The plastic there is very thin. I tested out my dremel on another section and it was a little rough and destructive. It would be fine if I just needed to cut a hole for my screen, but I also want to preserve what I cut out as much as possible.

A mini is a tough project, i would really like to see where you get with this. My buddy has one and want to put a pc in, but space is soo limited in those things. You should probably consider removing the lighting switch panel and making your own, as for the ac, i think you should have some room under the monitor, once it is in. A hot knife seems to be the cleanest way to do things, and some abs cement.

I did some cutting with a Exacto-knife solder. Still need to pick and sand the edges clean. What's the best technique and type of sand paper?



Here is where I'm thinking of relocating the A/C and toggle controls.

Nice work so far.
The moulding is ABS so ABS cement is the way to go, or have you tried ABS welding using the hot knife and some ABS stock?
The controls should move OK if the wiring is long enough but usually you can get more slack by unwrapping the harness tape.
PLEASE post up your work as the MINI community would be very glad of the tips.

Originally Posted by chrislamb

Nice work so far.
The moulding is ABS so ABS cement is the way to go, or have you tried ABS welding using the hot knife and some ABS stock?
The controls should move OK if the wiring is long enough but usually you can get more slack by unwrapping the harness tape.
PLEASE post up your work as the MINI community would be very glad of the tips.

Thanks! I'll look into the cement. I really hope the wire reaches. I tend to do things backwards with a baby and a toddler in the apartment and no garage with my car parked far, far away. If things are looking good, I'm probably going to have to get a "professional" to cleanly weld things together and bezel my screen. Not sure I have the time to learn how to weld, mold, sculpt, sand, and all that stuff. I really wish I did, though.

Since your working with plastic, take a look at the epoxy Dynatron 660. Its really easy to apply and sand. It could help you a lot to blend the face of you screen with you OEM Bezel. It looks like a really big relocating project, so good luck and don't give up!!

Oooops, I was wrong.
In fact the moulding is ABS/PA. That is a blend of ABS with PA added.
ABS cement might struggle to grip into it so I would suggest you use a 2 pack structural adhesive and flame the mouldings first.
Sorry for my mistake.

Thanks for the tips and encouragement! After some more cutting, here's what I'm thinking. It's going to need a lot of work to blend together, especially the bezel.

Looking good.
Hotmelt glue is also very useful for inside surface construction.
As far as I know you are the 1st to try this, when you finish the MINI community will be very grateful.
Keep up the work.