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MG TD TF 1500 - MG TD escutcheon plate on dash

Has anyone refinished the center plate on the dash? I think it would look attractive if the vinyl/paint ? is removed and the entire surface is chrome plated. Anyone done that?
Mike I

You see 50's hotrods sometimes with paint-free central panels. The last one I stripped to re-paint was entirely chromed. To my eye the chrome look is too bold; I like the subtlety of the paint.

Opinions differ...

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

When you've been bat blinded by a chrome dash you'll be looking for a paint can
W A Chasser

I've just had the bezel on my ignition switch re-chromed & that dazzles me when the sun hits it. I'm with Bill & Tom. The paint is a nice backdrop to the instruments. My motto is 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Whenever I see a modification of the original color scheme (e.g black interiors and tops), wood dashes or other non factory body or interior modifications I think kit car. That is just MY OPINION. Everyone has different ideas about what their car should look like and they have every right to make it so. Again the kit car impression is just MY OPINION.

Tim
TD12524
Tim Burchfield

I had a kit car which I bought up to a high bling machine, but I will be a lot more restrained on my TF.


CE Valder

I'll go along with Tim's comments. Bud
Bud Krueger

PO chromed it. No problems with sunshine.

Jasper


Jasper Nederhoed TD3966

Personally I LOVE bling.
In the days these were built, Bling was in.
I believe, that if it were not for the post WW2 metal shortage in the UK the TD and TF. would have had more Bling.
Many of the pre-WW2 sports cars had SS engine turned dashes. Generally wood was reserved for the Salons where they had some protection from the weather.
I feel the cloth covering was driven, both by cost and by the scarcity if metal.

Just my 2C

Jim B.


JA Benjamin

My late friend George Christopherson always said BLING is for the owner of the car to determine. I have wire wheels, wooden dash, disc brankes and original Chromed King of the Road headlights. but that is ME. I like it and others can bling or not bling..LOL


TRM Maine

Your comments are very helpful. Since my car does not attempt to reproduce the original production configuration, I am not concerned about that aspect. I can understand your points about bling, sun reflection, but I can't help appreciating the good looks of Jasper's dashboard. As most of you said, it's strictly one man's opinion. My thoughts on tempering the brightness of chrome, I'm thinking of spraying the surface with a semi gloss clear epoxy, maybe leaving the bead around the perimeter full shine. Sort of giving it a SS look. What I have now is dull and non-descript.
Mike
TD15250


Mike I

How about having it powder coated silver, that way reduced glare.
G Evans

Interesting idea. I'll have to check the looks of a sample at a metal finisher.
Thanks
Mike
TD15250
Mike I

Hmmm, didn't know I had a kit car! Oh well I'll live with it LOL! Had two red MGs and a green one, swore I'd never have another red one, so Jag Regency Red/Burgundy & Black is the choice. Amazing that not a sole has ever condemned the car for it's color combination, I guess they need to be educated, Grin. But I love it! PJ
PSJ Jennings

I don't think it looks too shabby, funny, no one else does either, winning a first and best of show at a couple Brit car shows.




PSJ Jennings

I gave some thought to doing something different with the dash, but it looked a bit much to me. I'm not a fan of chrome dashes but it's your car ...do what you like.


L E D LaVerne

LaVerne that looks good in matching wood also. I assume you used a separate piece of veneer on the panel since it has to be bigger than the cutout behind it.
Mike
Mike I

You got one helluva car there, PJ. I could see you put a lot of love into it. It shows.
Mike
Mike I

This thread was discussed between 09/05/2017 and 12/05/2017

MG TD TF 1500 index

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