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MG TD TF 1500 - Paint color for 53 TD

I'm one year into a 53 TD ground up restoration on a car that I bought 18 years ago from a fraternity brother for a retirement project.It hasn't run during that period so it has been a real challenge. It seems as if all of the PO's didn't have a clue on "repairs" that they made and there were many. I understand that this is called "charm". I have a rolling chassis now for the most part and am starting to work on the body. I've had several "B's" and midgets over the years and have done extensive work to them so I sort of have a clue on this sort of thing mechanically. I'm good at body work so that is no problem on this portion of the car or so I think(the wood is good). After 18 years my WIFE has finally decided that red would look good. No problem, but what current red color is close to the original. I have been researching this for a year and have come to no definitive conclusion. Anybody have a reasonable vehicle color that
would be easy to duplicate with Dupont or PPG current paints?
Also, what is the generally accepted type such as clear coat/base coat etc. I'm doing this myself in my lower level car shop. Will probably have to do some of this over due to bugs, runs, and other reasons.
Mark Strang

The reds over the years, like all the colours, varied in shade... If you see a nice bright red you like, (it can come from MGB, or MGA colours), just paint it that colour...
I've always thought clear coat made the older cars a bit too shiny ... i went with a single stage urethane.
gblawson(gordon)

Mark,

The factory was notorious for mixing paints - especially reds. It appears they didn't have paint specs and had several suppliers, so there was never a true or consistent 'Emgee" Red. And any paint left over from the previous day's run, would be poured into 'today's' run.

The modern-day definitive gospel on paint for a T-Series (for all colours, of course) from the TA to the TF1500, is the article, carefully researched by Hal Kramer for the June 1996 TSO. It proved to be so popuular that reprints were printed and are available to members from Gene Fodor in Vermont for $5.

And too, most modern paints do not include Nitrocellulose Laquer which was on most, but not all T-Series, because it is explosive and now illegal; (but can be found if one knows where to look!).

If one attends a GOF, one sees all sorts of colours, many of which were certainly not original 'factory' colours.

I tend to favour Gord Lawson's approach and would paint it whatever colour makes you happy, and again like Gord Lawson, and for the same reason, I wouldn't apply any clear coat.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

Mark,

I will disagree with the two Gordons (whom I hold in high esteem none the less). With the help of some good friends, we used a two stage paint on my car, a base coat and a clear. We then worked the clear with 1200, 1500 and trizec sanding disks. Finally, I machined rubbed it out with extra cut and final cut rubbing compounds. I skipped the extra fine and swirl remover compounds, leaving a durable finish that isn't too shiny.

I hope this helps.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Dave,

I discovered your web site as I was finishing up my rolling chassis/engine intallation recently. Either we have both done the car up correctly or we are both wrong since my work/parts colors/assembly, etc. matches yours almost to a "T". I think we have both done it right. In studying your painting process and pitfalls it sure would seem much easier to not use the clear coat process since you apparently got to the same point as the Gordans with a lot more effort although a lot was due to Brian. I'll have to study this some more and I do thank you for your input.
By the way, I've spent a lot of time in Minneapolis. Used to live in Bismarck and came to Minneapolis to see some civilization from time to time! My daughter lived there for several years. I originally hail from the U.P. of Mich. and most of my recent relatives are from Minnesota. I tried Jeff at Advanced Distributer and found him to be great. Thanks for the tip.

Thanks,
Mark
Mark Strang

Try to avoid the "Ferrari" type reds. Use one with a little brown in it for a slightly darker and subdued look.

Cheers,
Matthew.
Matthew Magilton

Mark,

I think you summed up my journey quite well. But thanks to Mike and Gary, I survived! Everyone who has viewed my car loves the combination of Ivory over Green. I wish you the best.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Go to an auto paint supply store or body shop. See if you can borrow a chip book showing several recent years worth of chips. It is hard to find a red that is not metallic, but they are there. Pick out two or three that you like, have them mix the smallest quantity you can and test- spray some cardboard or metal and see what you like. We did that with 3 colors of green, and I picked a 2004 Range Rover green which is very close to the original Woodland Green. Since Hal's article, I believe some of the pigments to mix those colors have been discontinued, and the substitutes result in colors way off. If you pick a fairly current model year color it should be available for a long time. I used PPG Base/clear coat. You will end up with a much deeper, prettier, easy to repair and all around better finish in my free opinnion (so you know what that's worth!). The very first time I showed my TD (after it was just barely finished) it won best paint. By following proper techniqes all the way through, when you wet sand and buff through all the stages (3M's new 3-4 stage process) it will literally be glossy wet. See this link: http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/3MAutomotive/Aftermarket/Products/Featured_Products/Perfect-It/
As far as more effort with clear coat, it is basically just one two more coats. You still have to wet sand/buff/polish, etc. George
George Butz

Oh Reno Red, but I am biased as you can see.


Mike Christie

And another shot


Mike Christie

There are soooo many colors red and I found it worthful to spend a lot of time in looking at red TD's at gatherings and fairs. A clor that makes one particular car beautiful may look not so good on a TD.
Finally I selected a color like this picture. I got a very good advice from this BBS: before making a final decision on bodycolor, think through the complete colorscheme: seats, carpets, covers. Greetings, Huib


Huib Bruijstens

This thread was discussed between 07/03/2009 and 09/03/2009

MG TD TF 1500 index

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