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 TD TF 1500 - Chrome Shop

Just found a chrome shop close to home in Collinsville, 1 hour away. Hand delivered and picked up. I didn't want to mail this stuff. Get it back in 3 to 4 weeks. PJ




Paul S Jennings

Cool. Cost? Did you do the front grill? Are you happy with the results?
David Littlefield

David, I bought the restored grill from Hugh Pite in Canada. The chrome I'm having done is $545. 90 bucks just for the dash trim. He will make a template of the dash trim piece to make sure it's in it's perfect shape after prepping and before chroming. Quality, we'll see, but I've been told he's good. PJ
Paul S Jennings

My chrome shop is the same but its more like 4 to 6 months and the price is 4x retail :-)
Christopher Couper

For some reason Chris, most shops around here are swamped with work. Where I was going to take the stuff originally, couldn't start on them until the end of March. Most of the shops around here do aircraft parts and American airlines for one, has some of them under contract. PJ
Paul S Jennings

Hmmm. I get up to the Tulsa area a couple times a year with the CVAR folks. I've got a lead on another place closer to home though. PJ, you ought to come out to Hallett for the races some time!!
David Littlefield

David, Collinsville is above Tulsa a ways and his shop is just off of 169. There are other shops closer to Tulsa, but most are booked up.PJ
Paul S Jennings

If Hallett is in Jennings, OK, I should feel right at home. Grin. PJ
Paul S Jennings

We used to have over 30 plate shops in the Sacramento area now its down to half a dozen. the few left are too busy and the quality is no longer good. I had parts replated for a restoration by Sherm's plating a dozen years ago and it went to crap in less than six mos. Sherm's is THE place in Sacramento but I won't take another piece to him as they didn't stand behind their work. The EPA cracked down on plate shops 20 yrs ago and many were forced to shut down and rightfully Many became toxic dumpsites., many near residential areas fouling the water supply. I actually off hauled toxic dirt from one site that the contaminants went 70' deep and nearly 600' in circumference, not including the groundwater contaminants that sickened whole neighborhoods.
W. A. Chasser Jr

Hallett is indeed near Jennings. Check corinthianvintagerace.com for the schedule. I race a red MG midget #57.
David Littlefield

We've only got two plating shops left in Tucson, but by all accounts the work is good. As Bill says, a lot closed down because they were basically toxic dumps. Hexavalent chromium (which is what is used for plating) was the bad guy in the movie "Erin Brockovich"... and it needs to be handled carefully!!!
Luckily our remaining plate shops still do excellent work - if pricey - I got my windshield frame done for $400 3 or 4 years ago and I'm sure the price has gone up...
Geoffrey M Baker

I took a chance on the Moss tail light plinths. The chrome shop wanted 35 bucks each to redo mine and new from Moss is 32 bucks. The new ones are just as heavy, look exactly the same and very nice. I'm pleased with them. Just a note in case someone else is thinking of having theirs re done. The original ones have to have so much material removed to get the pits out of the pot metal, their actually thinner when done. PJ
Paul S Jennings

I bought the same plinths and for the same reason. I think the problem is going to be keeping them looking good. Whoever thought of plating Mazak / Zamak did us no favours. I even thought about lacquering them to keep out the moisture, but but suspect its not a good solution. For the moment mine are oiled up.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Dave, I'm going to spray the inside with A galvanizing compound. The outside will get wax like the rest of the car. PJ
Paul S Jennings

I think with just wax they will pock mark again, unles you are very fastidious. However, for now I don't have a better solution that will keep them looking shiny and new. Same goes for the rest of the chrome, but the zinc alloy parts seem worse.
Finding a good chrome plater is hard over here too, as they all seem to be busy, and don't need to take on more work. Finally I did find a small outfit in the next town - a husband and wife team, whose work has been outstanding, but affordable. The window frame stantions (all parts and both sides), rear bumper, two overriders and a number of small parts cost me £300 (about 450USD) and 6weeks. I asked them about my radiator shell but he was reluctant to take it on, so it remains in original, battle scarred, condition. Maybe one day.
Dave H
Dave Hill

This thread was discussed between 30/01/2015 and 03/02/2015

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.