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MG MGB Technical - Wing (Fender) Beading - any non-steel alternatives

Seeing as how the beading on top of the wings (fenders) is a prime rust spot, has anyone ever found a way of simulating the appearance with a non-steel filler. I could envisage welding the outer wing to the trunk surround panel, painting the joint, and then filling it in with a glued on plastic bead of some sort. Has anyone ever done this?

Mike
Mike Howlett

Hehho Mike
Yes, I have done pretty much what you say, together with front wings- the short bit in front/to the bottom of windscreen. Cut off the cover/beading, mould in a flexy filler. Not really my idea, a local body had been doing it for some time now. Also did a midget 10-12 years ago, still no rust!
Good luck
Richard Evans

Richard,
Do you know what was used instead of the beading, and where it can be obtained?

Mike
Mike Howlett

Mike-
I welded the seam of my rear wings with a nice thick weld then used a Dremel tool with a tungsten carbide rotary file to sculpt it down and finished it out with a small amount of filler to smooth the contours. A little work with a sanding block and Presto! The finished result looks like it was made that way at the factory. Now just pray that nobody hits a rear wing with an SUV!
Steve S.

Mike
What follows is a kind of event sequence. Before trim removel make from 2-3mm thick flexy plastic profiles of trim on front wings. You will note the by turning over/reversing the two profiles that they will do both wings.
1)after welding don't smooth off too much, leave a key surface for filler. 2)Before appling any primer etc lay the two proflies on wing and wiper panel and retain with masking tape, you should be looking at approx 6-8mm between profiles. (You can use not too sticky double sided sticky tape) The rear is easy, just a straight run. 4) fill the gap with your preffered filler, the bloke I nicked the idea from always uses the aluminium metal loaded plastic padding type stuff. That's pretty much it. I also understand from a mate, Rollers, Bentleys etc. softsolder beading trim to the main body. Which makes me think you could make replica trim in brass and low temp solder on. That's now given my no rust return in 15 years secret away!
Richard

Thanks Richard,

Here's an idea I was playing with in my head. The top of the rear wing does not have to be welded. It would be perfectly OK with bolts. So-o-o, why not use a plastic beading like item 274 from Woolies
http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/wingpiping.html

Anyone any thoughts? I wonder if it would take painting OK?

Mike
Mike Howlett

Mike , Richard ,

Not sure it's a good idea to bolt rear fenders top because they do participate to the car strengh as welded : it's not a separate chassis/body car as tr4 . Even longer and more fastidious, Steve S.'s solution looks prettier .

Kind regards .
Renou

This thread was discussed between 25/02/2004 and 26/02/2004

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