Spent yesterday afternoon with Aidan Talbot and was showing him the finish on my doors. When compared to a recent spray job on a syncro crewcab in the same yard, the difference was astonishing. Granted the quality of spray jobs varies, but this spray job was NOWHERE near as good as my rollered finish and was already showing rusty patches all over the shop. Not everyone goes by my recommendations but April/May is that much cooler and provides a slightly longer working/drying time and allows the paint to level out more. Tempting as a warm sunny day might be, the paint can bake within minutes and leave you with an orange-peel finish.
Ideally you want to start just as all the freezing weather and rain eases off in April but you can prep at almost any time really. If you bear all that in mind you'll get a far better finish and if you do it right, match a good quality spray job without having to spend much time (if any), flatting and buffing out. Just don't cut corners on prep - check, check and double check for flaws and minor dents, chips etc and get it flat. Paint side is very quick.
Mine has been on for almost five years now and I could do with giving it a Spring coat to remove marks caused by twigs and two patches around sliding windows that need new metal but overall she scrubs up well.
No plans to spray at all.
If anyone wants to do theirs this year, start thinking about what needs doing and if areas are truly rotten, replace them. Long as its not frosty you can at least start getting it ready. If it seems daunting, just concentrate on one panel at a time. Oh, and order the Vactan in.
Colours for 2012 are red or camo - well, we've not seen those colours yet.
Littlemisssunshine - You'll have no probs. The ladies are REALLY good at this as they're sticklers for detail. Just get some help on the prep if you need it (lots on the net about body prep) and get any obvious welding done. Its a lot of fun!! You might want to get some decals made up like your avatar? I have the Blues Brothers on the back of mine.
Incidentally, one DVD going to Tasmania today!
The Mini crew, who sometimes share events with v-dubs also follow our roller thread. Check out these pics:
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/to ... ing-guide/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
DVD purchased, new project for the spring in the pipeline. Thanks for the advice folks. Will be getting bodywork done professionally as lots of welding etc needed which is well out of my league, but I can now afford to get that done properly if I roll myself, perfick!! 
