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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - 1st Time TD Owner

Guys, I'm finally a neophyte on an MG BBS....I just bought my first TD, a 1953 model...
...I presently have the following restored MG's: '59 MGA, '63 MG1100, '67 MGBGT, '70 MGBGT, '74 midget, '74-1/2 MGBGT (rubber bumper), '76 Midget, '79 MGB & '79 V8 MGB...plus about 25 or 30 parts cars...& a '56 Magnette coming next month....
...but, I don't know anything about T's...
...mine was undergoing a 20-year long restoration by an elderly gentleman who's not able to complete it...its a complete frame-off restoration of frame, suspension, engine, tranny...every piece of wood replaced, new leather everywhere, dash/instruments & steering wheel completely rebuilt/done, 3-bow top w/new cloth, new tires (never turned since installed 8 years ago, all chrome replated or replaced...he was doing it right..has complete set of toolsd, all manuals, etc...
...here's the rub: body tub is painted black lacquer but doors, fenders, hood not yet painted or reinstalled (he has the lacquer he used still in cans & useable); however, I think I want to paint it BRG but acquiring lacquer is now out of the question...will it hurt to sand the tub down--not to bare metal, lay primer over the lacquer & urethane it?
Tony Barnhill

What, no MGC?
Bob Burns

Wet sand, seal, and shoot! The wet sand is your opportunity for a great finish.
Gary L. Emes

Bob...I have an MGC GT parts car but don't have a complete running MGC...am looking for an mgc roadster..
...so, just sand, seal w/a good primer sealer & paint over the lacquer w/urethane?...thanks
Tony Barnhill

No wonder we never see MGs' on the road, they are all in Gurley Al. Dave#!.
capdave

Tony,

It's not necessarily that simple. Not all types of automotive paint are compatible. Go to the source of the paint that you are proposing to use and ask them to check their data sheets. "Sealer" and "Primer" are not simple items. The last thing you want to see is your new paint sloughing off of the surface.
Bud Krueger

Lacquer and Urathene have different expansion coefficiants and flexibility. I would summize that you will have real problems later on the body which really flexes a lot. Best to use a chemical stripper on the body bucket to bare metal. It really won't take that much time.

Also if you have not visited this site yet you may want to:
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgtd/
Chris Couper

Chris...thanks, that's what I thought...oh, I found that web site & bookmarked it...it helped me to understand what's painted what on a T....I've decided to chemically strip the ourside of the body shell....previous owner painted the engine compartment, frame, & other areas w/black enamel that doesn't have a high shine just like the site says...so, I just have to worry about the external parts of the body as I'm putting on the Green w/shine...as you said, "won't take that much time."
....going to pick her up today as I've gotten a place cleaned out in my garage for her permanent parking place. EXCITED!! Wife says more so than she's seen me with any of my other cars!!!
Tony Barnhill

Tony,

Sometimes, when people repaint TDs they don't bother to remove and repaint both sides of the fuel tank. In this case, you can find the original paint on the hidden side of the tank. If yours is that way, you might want to consider masking off a portion of that area for posterity's sake.
Bud Krueger

Bud...the car was totally disassemlbed...every piece of wood is new except one piece under dash....previous owner left it there w/original paint on inside of that panel for posterity...I'm putting photos on my web site tomorrow....once you get on it, go to "MG Museum" for them.....mid morning central time....<http://www.theautoist.com>
Tony Barnhill

Tony: After looking at the pics I would definately say strip the body. Looks like the firewall never saw any action. In fact take it off since you will have to replace the shims anyway to adjust the doors. While you are at it pull the engine and give it a proper paint job.

If the chassis is in good shape tape up the rubber parts and give it a good solvent wash and then spray it too. Looks like you need a new wire harness so take that off first. If you can find some way to put the chassis, less engine and trans up about 4 feet in the air you could do a good job of underneath painting.

You are so close to having it all apart you could do a resonably good job of a total refinish at this point.The chassis looks good painted whole as that was pretty original anyway. Pay special attention to those places that will show after it's together like the frame under the hood and where the fenders attach.

Good luck.
Chris Couper

Chris....the firewall looks nappy in the photos because its been sitting uncovered for a long time but as I clean it up, its evident it has new paint on it...previous owner said its a satin enamel...when I looked at www.The Original MG TD Midget.com, I say where the firewall was supposed to be painted black enamel w/o a shine regardless of the exterior color?
...agree the engine color is too bright a red so that needs to be resprayed....I'm slowly putting it back together temporarily to make sure I have all the pieces, parts, fasteners, etc...after I know where everything goes, I'll take it back down & get the lacquer off to spray w/modern BGR to old original paint code...
Tony Barnhill

The firewall is the same color as the body and glossy. The panel below the firewall (Scuttle) is black. Check over the engine components. Not all are red. Also lots of stuff on the fw is not body color.

So if you are going to repaint the body green that means that off goes the stuff on the firewall as it is the same color as the body. Note that the bolts are paintedbody color as the firewall and body were painted at the same time. (Firewall bolts, wood frame and caulking)

Body color: Fenders, hood, front and rear splash aprons, running boards,
firewall, fuel tank, fuel tank straps, door hinges

Black: Scuttle (that thing that is under the firewall the gas pedal is attached to)
Chris Couper

Thanks guys...I've learned a bit...off comes everything on the firewall above the scuttle line & BRG goes on when I repaint the exterior of the body....
Tony Barnhill

This thread was discussed between 21/08/2001 and 02/09/2001

MG TD TF 1500 index

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