MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

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 MGA - Vinyl Covered Sidescreen Cover

Hi all,

I would like to restore the vinyl covered sidescreens. Of course, many of the parts can be found from Todd Clarke, but what about the vinyl itself? In another thread, Bob West was mentioned as someone who could restore the screens, but being poor/cheap (hey, Japan is EXPENSIVE) I would like to do it myself. That is unless the cost to do it myself is more than the cost to have someone else do it...

Does anyone know where I can get just the vinyl cover?

What about anyone elses' experience restoring these? Cost? etc.

Thank you,

Tom.
Tom Baker

Hi Tom, I did this myself a few years ago.

I got the vinyl from one of the trim suppliers at a MG meeting.

I made up paper patterns using the frame as a template and the exising covering as inspiration. If the old covering is good enough, you might be able to use that as a pattern.

The patterns are quite long-winded to describe. In my description inside and outside refer to the frame. Interior and exterior refer to the position on the car.

There is a flap at the bottom that extends from the exterior of the frame. There is a ridge at the top and back that extends from the interior of the frame. The fromt covering simply wraps round the frame.

Lie the sidescreen on a large sheet of paper and draw around inside and out. Draw the overlap on the inside edge.
The interior side has a ridge that extends outside the frame - decided how much you need and draw that on the paper. Draw the seam allowance on top of that.

The exterior wraps around the edge of the frame - draw the width of the screen on the paper on the outside edge. Draw the matching ridge and seam allowance.

At the bottom, the flap extends from the exterior and the interior wraps around the frame.

I used an old Singer sewing machine to stich it up.

The channel insert and glazing hold the covering in place without needing to glue it.

The problems I found were that I cut out two sets of covering for the same side by mistake (remember they are mirror images). I wish I had cut the flap at the lower edge longer.

Will you be reusing the existing glazing or replacing it?

good luck

dan
Dan Smithers

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the detailed reply. I think I will re-use the glazing, but will have to replace the Isenglas inserts. I am trying to source some of the vinyl trim but am not having too much luck. Do you remember how much you needed?

I think I can use the old vinyl as a pattern as it is mostly there. I will add a bit to compensate for shrinkage.


I'm going to strip one of them down in the next couple of days to confirm what I am working with. COuld get really costly to replace all the channels and such!

I just have to rid myslef of the AMSCO ones that are dringin me crazy. Beats the flip-up style, though.

Thanks,

Tom
Tom Baker

Tom,
I've been installing a new set of Moss seat upholstery and made an interesting discovery. The vinyl can be heat shrunk to a surprising degree with a hairdryer type of heat gun used by airplane modelers to shrink their airframe coverings. I have a vinyl set with useable vinyl which I plan to re-color to match my tan top SEM makes a line of aerosols for this. Sounds like a real challenge....keep us posted.
BOL,
Doug
D Sjostrom

I bought the aluminum side curtains from Moss, but the bright aluminum looked out of place on the car. So, I painted the aluminum part of them with a satin black paint, and they look like they belong now! I have the original side curtains, and may recover them someday. I will say that painting the aluminum ones has probably put restoring the origanals off for a long time.
Ed Bell

This thread was discussed between 12/04/2006 and 18/04/2006

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.