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MG TD TF 1500 - Scuttle painting - remove it 1st or not?

Hi all,

Progress being made on my paint stripping winter project. Would like to make the scuttle (the thing with battery box, tool box, etc.) look "like new" as well.

Ideally it should obviouslly come out for prep/paint. I see a series of bolts into wood frame, etc. Assuming I can remove all accessories (fuel pump, horm, etc.), is the scuttle "reasonable" to remove as a unit or will I be sorry? (The engine is still in place by the way.) Or should I just assume I'll prep/paint it "in place"? (I know, I should disassemble the entire car like some of you would - I'm too old! Just a driver, not a show car.)

Thanks,
Ed
efh Ed

Mine was painted on the car, engine in place. Pain in the neck to take the whole thing apart. Major job.


TRM Maine

Ditto on painting it in place. You can remove the toe board to refurb etc. but I'd leave that firewall "scuttle" in place. I did mine with the engine out as I painted the engine and frame etc.
l rutt

Yep, leave it in place. Taking it out and off is a huge project, and I think really, really difficult to do with the engine in place. There will be some kind of thick tar-like cement between it and the wood, which will probably be rotten to some degree.
Since that is also the front mount of the tub, you could even mess up the door fit, etc. With the wings and running boards off and all the accessories off you can get to and do a really nice job in place. George
George Butz

I had that 1/4" Witworth socket in my hand and was ready to start turning counter-clockwise till I read above! Thanks once again to all for saving the day.

Odd, that firewall is not to be found in the Moss catalog or anywhere I've seen as a separate piece for sale. Only exception I've seen is Dave Braun's website where he installs the accessories to it on the bench. Dave, if you're reading this, do you agree with above?

Ed
efh Ed

George, your comment got me thinking about something I have been planning to ask the group. Contrary to what I wanted Little T's firewall/scuttle was painted seperate from tub and then just temporary attached for the trip home. I have all the original bolts and after much studying of Dave B's website will figure out which length goes where. In Malcolm Green's restoration guide he recommends a roof & gutter sealant for sealing edges but doesn't really specify that area and Horst Schach never covers that area either. If any what type of sealer is used by most restorers when re-attaching the firewall to the tub.

Regards,
Rich
Richard Taylor

Are you going to try and paint the tub on the frame Ed? If so I'd remove the panel for paint. If your going to the trouble to remove the tub then I would leave it and paint it with the tub.


LED DOWNEY

LED,
The current plan is to leave the tub on the frame for paint. Of course, plans are always subject to change, especially if this is one's first time. Funny you never see pictures of that firewall NOT connected to the tub. Wonder why?
efh Ed

That lower portion was attached to the frame at the factory, then the body lowered down to meet it....

http://gblandco.com/gb/bmiht/album/TD/slides/C-33086-MGTDProduction.html
gblawson

Sure ya do Ed. If my feet didn't hurt so bad I'd go out in the shop and take a picture of the one I just took off the TD so I could replace the top piece of wood.


LED DOWNEY

Rich, I used autobody seam sealer, I piked it up at a local auto paint jobber. It came in tubes that fit in a caulk gun. There is a specific solvent (can't remember what) that you can use to wipe the excess away very neatly. It paints nicely as well. George
George Butz

Thanks George,

I will check around and see if I can find seam sealer like you described. I use to have some that came in a can and brushed on but I would say it has long dried up. I will just have to be very careful since everything is already painted.

Thanks again,
Rich

Richard Taylor

My battery cracked a few winters ago and damaged the paint on the firewall. I loosened the bolts on the tower supports just enough so I could do a good tape job, I also pulled the lower plate that bolts on from the inside. I had fenders off and the job looks great. Can't tell it was not taken off.
BEC Cunha

Thanks again all, sounds like a plan BEC.

LaVerne, if you didn't have that lift you would be on your back, not your feet. Life is rough.
efh Ed

Only when I have to Ed


LED DOWNEY

Ed, how are you going to paint? Brush or spray. If it's spraying, than maybe the lower central parts are not so easy to cover. I suggest to simulate first (with the airhose connected) to check which area's can and cannot be reached. Than I would brush the not to be reached areas before the spraying. Good luck, Huib
Huib Bruijstens

Huib, good point! I will be spraying (in the spring). I'm not to that point yet but as I strip the firewall this winter with my brush I should get a good feel for my reach.
efh Ed

This thread was discussed between 25/12/2009 and 27/12/2009

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