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MG MGB Technical - Dash - Powder Coat or Paint

Hi everyone,

I am restoring my dash on my 67 Mk1 B. At present it is out of the car; stripped, primed and ready for painting. Now I was going to do the 'wrinkle paint'job on this wee beastie... until I went down to the local Powder Coating Factory to pick up some parts I had powder coated black for my heater.

This is where I have struck a dilemma.
While there I asked... "Can you powder coat to a 'wrinkle'finish or is all work smooth?"
I was then shown a zillion sample cards, including some with varying wrinkle effects.

Now this has thrown a spanner in the works as they looked pretty damn good from the small samples I saw. So, I thought I would consult the collective wisdom of the BB to ask the following...

* Has anyone powdercoated their dash instead of painting it?

* If so, how did it turn out? Are you happy with it?

* Also... Is there any distinct advantages to powdercoating over painting... or vice versa? Is later surface retouching an issue?

Thanks in advance,
My dash and I are eagerly awaiting your reply

Safety fast dudes!
Mark
Mark Duggan

I painted my dash with Moss paint. The wrinkle didn't turn out very well but it may have been too cool of a day for the full wrinkle effect. Shortly after, I saw a dash on another car which had been powdercoated and it looked perfect - just like the factory. THe gentleman said it was years old and still looked great.

If I were to do it again I would powdercoat, especially since my paint has worn quite a bit in the past few years. If you do paint, put on at least twice as much as recommended on the can.

One last observation... my dash is not nearly as wrinkled as the factory intended, however I think it looks really good with just a slight texture to it. I can send pictures if you like.
Steve Simmons

Thanks for the feedback Steve.
Yeah... I'm very interested to see the pictures of your dash.
One question tho... You said your dash has worn over quite a few years... Approx how many?
Reason I ask is to the longevity of paint vs powdercoating.

Thanks
Mark
Mark Duggan

Can't advise about benefits/look of powdercoating, because I really like the look of the original-style wrinkle painting.

I had success wrinkle-painting the dash on my '66 B two years ago. There are photos and a write-up of the technique that worked for me on The Shadetree MG site: http://www.shadetreemg.com/steeldash.htm (Click on the photos at the bottom for a closer look.)
Kim de B

Page 2
http://hem.passagen.se/larsragnar
Ingemar

The only powdercoat I have seen is glossy (hence nowhere near the orginal wrinkle) and I would imagine would be way too reflective - at least in a roadster with top down and the sun anywhere behind you.
Paul Hunt

Mark,
The powder coat finish should last much longer and be tougher to mar. I'v wrinkled several dashes with paint and had outstanding results, but have no experience with wrinkle powder. I may try it soon using my cheapo, but effective, Harbor Freight powder coating gun.

Paul,
Take a look at this site...

http://www.eastwoodco.com/Search.asp?skw=powder+wrinkle

David
David

Hi Mark

I have seen a dash done with 'crinkle' powder coat, it came up very well, although not quite the same finish as paint.

Get in touch with Simon Jansen at jansens@asciimation.co.nz

He is in Auckland.

Cheers
ian f



Ian Fraser

Mark

I think that the general rule is that if you are in the northern hemisphere, the wrinkle paint works fine. But in my humble experience, not "down under"

I gave up and used powder coat - not quite as wrinkly as I'd like, but at least very even, and tough.

I mention once before on tis BB that there was an excellent powder finish available from duPont in the US, but because of the toxic constituents, it isn't available here.

Go Powder!!

John
John M

Mark, my paint started to show wear after about 3 years which is why I commented about applying more coats. I went with the "recommended" amount. I'm out of town for a couple days but here is the best picture I currently have. I can take a better one in a few days if you like.

http://www.twosims.com/mgb_dash.jpg

(1.5 megs, be patient!)
Steve Simmons

On topic, not mine.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=40017&item=2456403880
David

New image page 2

http://hem.passagen.se/larsragnar/

Ingemar

Steve,

Thanks for the photo.
From what I can see... Very Nice B!
Dash was a little hard to see... But that's ok (dark photo). Good to get your feedback on the dash.
Also, what colour is your B (Dark BRG or Black?).

Mark
Mark Duggan

It's black and so is the dash. There are more photos on my web site.

http://www.twosims.com (Hobbies-->MG)
Steve Simmons

Hi Mark. Yep, I had my dash powdercoated. I am not sure I am happy with the finish. After I had it done I realised I haven't seen that many other MG dashes to compare it too but as Ian says the finish is not quite original.

The finish is tough but it is pretty glossy. On mine it is actually starting to bubble a bit on the glovebox door. Not very much but I notice it. I think that might have something to do with who did the powder coating rather than the finish itself.

I actually want to take the dash out and redo it with paint to get a more natural finish but so far my experiments with wrinkle finish paint on other things haven't come out so well. I want to play with it a bit more and work out the technique before I try it on my dash!

If you're in Auckland you're welcome to take a look at mine if you like or else I can try to send you some close up pictures.

Simon
Simon Jansen

Simon,

Thanks for the reply and your feedback regarding your dash. I searched the archives and came across the thread which you started when you were first thinking of powdercoating. Seemed a viable option then. Interesting to hear your change of heart now.

Most other similar BB archive threads seem to lean toward the powdercoating option. The only disadvantages I can see is:

1. Finish is not quite 'original' as a wrinkle paint job.

2. Retouching after any subsequent damage to powdercoated finish is near impossible.

Unfortunately, I won't be in Auckland for the forseeable future, so can't take you up on your offer to view your dash 'in the flesh'.

I would, however, be grateful for a couple of close up pictures.

Thanks
Mark
Mark Duggan

Mark, I had my 63 dash powder coated and its a dead ringer for the original finish (which was still in reasonable shape on the inside of the glove box lid). There were several choices in finish available - some were not as wrinkled as the original. Having done the Moss paint in the past on another car I would recommend the powdercoat every time if cost is not an issue (mine cost $200). Its extremely uniform, has a nice matt finish, and its really tough. The powder coat color was specified as "Tuxedo Black".
Jim
Jim

Mark, I'll see what I can do about some pics for you.

As for damage to the dash I think that shouldn't really be a problem. The powder coating is very tough as others have mentioned. Also it does seem like there are lots of different finishes making choosing just the right one tricky. Just seeing their little sample cards is probably not enough to get a good idea of what the whole dash will be like when done.

If I did it again I'd want to see what other people have had done and be able to say I want exactly that done by the same people so I knew the finish would be consistent. Unfortunatly there aren't enough of us about here to do that!

Simon
Simon Jansen

I have used Eastwood's powder. Very durable and easy to use. They have a black wrinkle, but I think the finish will be too fine for the look you are trying to achieve.

Shareef Hassan

Thanks Simon,

I think I will powder coat my dash.
I will take a trip to the powder coaters next week to see exactly what they have.

First step tho is to strip the primer off my dash. Since my dash is back to primer, I will have to rely on memory to get the correct ripple effect (as well as the feedback from the BB).

Finally...
Anyone out there had their dash done and it turned out really close to factory specs?
If so... What was the brand/code of the powder coat used?

Thanks everyone
Mark
Mark Duggan

Mark,
I had my dash and glovebox powdercoated wrinkle finish about three years ago. I absolutely love it! Impossible to damage, no difference with the original finish and cheap too (I paid around $75 for blasting and coating).
Unfortunalety I can't help you with a brand or any number. It was done my an mg specialist in the Netherlands who keeps the name of his "partner" a secret.
You could take an original ashtray from your B with you to the powdercoaters to check if what they offer matches.
Good luck,
Rufus
Rufus Pool

This thread was discussed between 31/01/2004 and 03/02/2004

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