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MG TD TF 1500 - TF Dash Buttons and Horn with yellow spots

Hi
I am trying to clean the buttons on my dash but having some problems getting rid of the yellow spots (see pic).
I have cleaned the buttons with wipes and used Brasso and T Cut on the using a drill and a home made polishing pad.
Although shiney and clean I cannot remove the yellow spots.
Are the black plastic parts on the TF made from bakelite. Dash buttons, horn, gear knob, and handbrake handle.
Any help would be really appreciated.
Thanks
Darryl



D Lamb

The knobs were Bakelite. And yours look like they are Bakelite from a poor mix. I would think the yellow spots would be through out the knob as it looks to be part of the original mix. Most likely original.

... CR
C.R. Tyrell

Then try the black Bakelite dye from Pensbury Manor Garage, as advertised in the TSO. www.pensburymanor.com. This stuff has been reported to restore the color to a deep shiny black.
LD Palmer

Those could be from the 10.000.000 MGA.
THOSE KNOBS WERE INFUSED WITH RARE GOLD DUST
FROM THE GOBI DESERT.
SANDY

Agree with Mr. Palmer - you could use the dye to make them black again - the stuff works very well and is made-for-purpose.

Personally, I'm basically a cheap b****rd and I use black shoe polish. Yep. Works great.
Kevin McLemore

This is very common in old Bakelite

I think its the Scottish in Kevin and I but I use black fabric spray and follow it up with a bit of satin or soft sheen clear to make them look new.
Christopher Couper

Yep, Chris, it's definitely the Scottish in me.

I'm actually half Scots and half Irish... I like to drink... but I hate to pay for it. ;)
Kevin McLemore

Thanks for the comments guys. I originally had a go with shoe polish but was afraid it wouldn't last too long.
I purchased a new starter cable and choke cable from Moss and was so disappointed to find the knobs that come with the cable can't be replaced and there I was cleaning them up.
Unfortunately I now have a mix of old and new and I don't like the difference.
It's all in the detail and I forgot to check if the Moss cables had removable knobs. Where to from here.
Pic shows the old and new knobs on the unpainted dash.


D Lamb

I'd give the Bakelite dye a go & send the new ones back. Your quip made my day Kevin! Makes me proud of my Celtic origins. Also explains a lot. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Darryl, Your light switch knob is not the original octagon shape and needs to be replaced. From my experience the Moss choke and starter cables are decent quality but knobs are permanently attached. At this point why not get reproduction knobs for the switches. Then all the knobs will look nice and shiny black. Consider it one of life's compromises as we try to keep our cars alive and well. Regards John
JR Mahone

Ha! Thanks, Peter. Yes, being half Irish has its own challenges... I'm never quite sure what I want, but, by God, I'm willing to fight for it! ;)
Kevin McLemore

John
I had realised early on that the light knob was round but then with everything I appear to have forgotten even to the point of cleaning the round knob! So thanks for pointing that out to me.
I have 2 original choke and one starter knob and may have a light knob on its way to me. I am reluctant to switch to new and thinking of trying to find choke and starter cables with connections for the old knobs on them. This is what I thought I was getting from Moss. Maybe there is a way of transferring the old onto new cables!
Thanks Darryl
D Lamb

Darryl I've recently restored both my starter & choke cables on my TD using the original knobs, shafts, outer cable & new bicycle multistrand gear cable. See pic. Not sure if the TF setup is the same but if so it was a simple task to remove the fractured multistrand & solder in the new stainless cable. If this is possible on the TF just ensure you use a flux specifically designed for stainless cable. This is essential. I used Commweld 965. Cheers
Peter TD 5801


P Hehir

Thanks Peter you have done what I am thinking of doing. Thanks for the explanation and the warnings.
D Lamb

This thread was discussed between 12/06/2015 and 16/06/2015

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