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MG TD TF 1500 TF 1414 Upholstery begins BBS discussion at MG-Cars.net
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MG TD TF 1500 - TF 1414 Upholstery begins
| After I completed the wiring under the bonnet I began tackling the upholstery.
So far with the upholstery to the metal frames and wood top lid to the side screen locker, hood rails, and the scuttle pad. Very fussy work. Having the original pieces helped enormously. In the end, I'm really pleased how everything came out. All the edges nice and tight and I mitered the backside of the screen locker top lid perfectly. Soon the fun part begins with the wheel arches and interior piping. Won't be able to really focus again on the TF for a couple weeks due to work. Slow and steady. Frank TF1414  |
| Frank Cronin |
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| Frank Cronin |
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| Frank Cronin |
| Looking good Frank. Interesting how the 3 hood rails/tacking strips at the rear appear to be identical to the TC and that both the TC and TF are quite different to the TD. Cheers Peter TD 5801 |
| P Hehir |
| Hi Frank,
Great work on your TF. Looks like we both are fortunate in that we have had access to original interiors. The trimmers of T type MGs were skilled and expedient with cloth cutting etc. and observing how they cut the material assists in obtain good fits throughout the car I gather you have fired your engine and run the chassis ? Easy to check all components on a TF when the the body is off. You need 'knitting needle fingers' as it is !! Fired the TF1500s engine up on the weekend. Oil pressure smartly to 54lbs. and chassis moves well with a typical TF exhaust burble. The rebuilt/restored body will go back on the chassis in a week or two. I enjoy looking at each brake back plate with your 'DM7'(Hardy Ferodo rating) off white stencil applied. Keep your progress on your TF documented on bbs td tf. Cheers for now. Rob Grantham TF3179("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos"). |
| Rob Grantham |
| Frank: Shouldn't you paint your car first before you do the upholstery? (sorry Matthew M). :-) It is really looking wonderful. Nice work. |
| Christopher Couper |
| Peter, Rob, I am surprised that neither of you has referred Frank to one of Australia’s most populous parrots - the Galah. Despite its attractive grey/pink plumage it is something of a pest and the term ‘galah’ is not used as a term of endearment! Chris  |
| C I Twidle |
| I hope you're just referring to the plumage Chris, not passing judgement on the owner. When Frank's Silver Streak Grey and red combo is finished it should look really great! Cheers Peter TD 5801 |
| P Hehir |
| Update on TF 1414. I'm pretty much finished with the rear of the tub / side screen locker less a few minor details to take care of.
I've had a couple of issues along the way that paused progress a little bit but was able to resolve to continue forward. I will do a picture thread and comment on each post. Frank TF 1414 1. After completing the frame pieces to the side screen locker, I went to work on the wheel arches. I used dense foam cell padding vs. using felt. I found it to be very easy to work with and it makes a nice tight fit. I made paper templates to get the precise fit and neat seamless joints. I used two pieces like they did at the Factory using one piece of foam to fill the void where the folded over metal flanges to assemble the wheel arch. Once that was filled in, I covered again to achieve a nice smooth layer.  |
| Frank Cronin |
2. Now the fun part begins to install the vinyl for the arches. This is one of the few mishaps I encountered. Somehow I was shipped wheel arches for a TD not a TF. I sent my originals and the incorrect wheel arches back to Kimber Creek and Tom made it right.
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| Frank Cronin |
3. Original cover
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| Frank Cronin |
4. I received and began installing the correct wheel arches, I did a trial fit on how the rear panels. The drivers side fit fine however the passenger’s side was oversized. Carefully peeling back the vinyl and using a belt sander carefully trimming the wood. Assistance with my 95 year old step dad with him holding the sander stationary while I delicately sanded the wood. Gradual wood removal the width of a felt tip marker and multiple test fittings made everything come out great.
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| Frank Cronin |
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| Frank Cronin |
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| Frank Cronin |
| I assembled the side screen locker using machine screws and top lid installed to ensure everything is square and then riveted together. I applied a little bit of “personal lubricant” to the edges of the frame and wheel arches to “slide in” the screen locker into place. Next I installed the remaining trim pieces, wood rails, etc until time ran out tonight. Below is a picture what I have done with the rear wheel panel loosely fitted with no pins attached. Thanks, Frank TF 1414  |
| Frank Cronin |
7 last one
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| Frank Cronin |
| Beautiful, Frank. Bud |
| Bud Krueger |
| With that quality of workmanship you might be in the wrong trade. It's absolutely the best upholstery that I have seen and that includes many high ended cars. Sandy |
| Sanders |
| Great job Frank. The rear section looks fabulous. Having done my car a year ago, I know the challenges the TF can present. On the advise of another, I used thin batting under my wheel arch covers. I wish I had not. I would recommend to anyone to use what Frank used in these photos. Tom '54 TF |
| T Norby |
| Agreed - I used a felt type upholstery padding and after a couple of years its gone slack. The foam material would almost certainly have been better. Dave H |
| Dave Hill |
| Very nice. Amazing work. Exacting details. |
| Christopher Couper |
| Nice to see a TF done correctly without any unwanted gaps/wrinkles. The Factory really got the layout right on TFs. Top class work Frank. Cheers Rob Grantham TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177)"Athos"). |
| Rob Grantham |
| Frank how thick is the dense cell foam that you used? Cheers Peter TD 5801 |
| P Hehir |
| Frank - Beautiful. When (if) my TF restoration finally gets to the upholstery stage, your photos and comments will guide me. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. Lonnie TF7211 |
| LM Cook |
| Frank - Beautiful. When (if) my TF restoration finally gets to the upholstery stage, your photos and comments will guide me. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. Ditto! Chris |
| C I Twidle |
| Really impressive! Your custom fitting and trimming makes a huge difference. Well done. George |
| George Butz III |
| Thank you for all the nice comments everyone.
Posting progress on here on the BBS and the feedback received keeps me motivated. A question was asked about the thickness. I measured with my calipers and it is about 3/32". Another note is I needed to trim the top lid of the side screen locker box the thickness of a skill saw blade. Just the two sides where the metal side pieces press against the wheel arch. This foam is very dense so I would suggest pre-fitting the side screen locker in the car with the lid on. Upholster the lid after you have checked the fit trimmed if needed. Frank TF1414 |
| Frank Cronin |
| Fabulous! I love the attention to detail. I noticed you placed the tool box Iid on the rear shelf when you painted it. Amazing. Are you bringing it to Plymouth next June? Be well, David |
| D. Sander |
| Frank, Your level of precision, exacting detail and smooth finish is beautiful to behold. I'll try to follow your example when I get to my TF. Thanks for showing me what is possible. Charlie |
| Charlie Adams |
| Frank C., I have tried to send you an article re mgtfs via your previous email address. without success. Could you send me an email in order to furnish you with the article ? Cheers Rob Grantham TF3719("Aramis"), TF9177("Athos"). |
| Rob Grantham |
| email sent |
| Frank Cronin |
| The rear upholstery is pretty much done. I still have to touch up some hardware and put on the strap for the top lid of the side screen locker. I didn't like the look of the pan washers I received in the kit so I'm going to use my old ones and screws and have plated. I have a few things to get cad and chrome plated so it's not a big deal.
As it goes with everything, the first time you do something, it always takes twice / three times as long to complete it. That's how it went when I did the driver's side. Learning as you go and taking your time. I lost count how many times test fitting the panel for the fit and removing staples / re-stapling / adjusting the body piping so it's nice and tight against the body piping and the panel. The key is the top upper corner from the rear panel where it turns downward along the hinge pillar. Get that nice and tight first and then work your way around. I also temporarily hung the door panel to ensure the door would close without interference of the body piping. Time is running out for me to work on the car and will have to be put on "hold" until spring. The car is in the barn and need to get other vehicles in the barn for winter while my folks are away in Florida. So my work space is "nada"! I wanted to install the fuel tank today but that's been postponed due to the rubber strip set for the tank straps that "I thought" I already bought or I can't find them. I'll order and install the tank on Thanksgiving morning. Frank TF1414  |
| Frank Cronin |
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| Frank Cronin |
| 3 last one  |
| Frank Cronin |
| I think this will be the last of any pictures and updates for a while. Worked in the barn this morning at temps at 9 degrees F, -12 C. I have a propane heater but it's just to warm up your hands after getting numb.
I installed the fuel tank today on the TF. Pretty delicate work to get this installed so you don't chip any paint. I used my original rubber pads so fitment was not a problem. What I did notice was the reach to the fuel line is a little short. Looking at how I routed it, I installed it under the center cross member. If I go over I'll have enough to stretch it out to make it work. I won't tackle that until spring. It's starting to look more like a car again. I had some good momentum however as I said earlier it will be on pause until spring. Frank TF1414  |
| Frank Cronin |
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| Frank Cronin |
| 3. Last picture. I can't wait until I can finish the interior, seats, and black carpet. The grey, bright red, and black all together.  |
| Frank Cronin |
| Looks stunning Frank! |
| M Magilton |
| Just great ! Fantastiic work, it will definitely be better than new. Rgds Mike |
| Mike Fritsch |
| I worked on the passenger door Saturday test fitting the door latch hardware, installing the door buffers, door handle, etc. Of course prior to actually installing them on the door lots of prep work cleaning threads, straightening the mounting plate for the door striker, looking at my photo journals, reading the archives in this forum, etc, etc...
I also installed a turn buckle that I bought from someone on EBay years ago. The USPS label was dated 2011... YIKES!! In any case, it is a well built unit and I didn't have to adjust it much at all but to fine tune the fit where I was happy with it. Before I can start on the driver's side I need to place an order from MOSS to replace some missing machine screws and shim plates in case I need it. Frank TF 1414  |
| Frank Cronin |
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| Frank Cronin |
3 last one.
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| Frank Cronin |
| Hi Frank, If you don't fit hinges to the rear shelf and simply leave it as a drop in lid you can lift it out when you are storing the side screens. This makes the job MUCH easier. I now unfortunately have small screw holes where my hinges used to fit. Jan T |
| J Targosz |
| This is what I got accomplished this weekend with the passenger’s side door. Lots of patience and determination taking off panels, removing staples, re-stapling, and adjusting the piping. What was happening was I would get interference with the piping touching the door panel affecting a satisfactorily door close so adjustments needed to be made. The area in particular the bottom corner under the lower hinge up the lower front of the door where it sweeps up to the latch pillar. So… the rear wheel arch panel needed to come off to tug in the piping for clearance. Note to self and everyone else, just temporarily pin the panels and don't completely tack under the hidem until everything is all lined up and fits accordingly. Once that was done it was on to the door lock and latch. This went pretty well surprisingly and I didn’t need to use any shims I had on hand in case they were needed. Just when I think I’m almost there and I can install the chrome cover to the door latch and call it a weekend, the chrome cover wouldn’t go on. The new re-chrome tightened the fit too snug so I needed to grind the inside of the cover with my die grinder.
Overall I’m pleased with the fit although I can see some minor issues that I can address later. I’m just happy I can hear the clunk when the door closes. Short YouTube video https://youtu.be/G-8in96u08s Time for a beer………. Frank TF 1414  |
| Frank Cronin |
| Frank your doing a great job on your upholstery. Keep up the good work. You’ll be rewarded with a fine TF in the spring. Bill Chasser TD-4834 |
| W A Chasser |
| Frank, Great work on your TF doors. This fit tests the veracity of the tub dimensions, shape,etc. Brilliant effort. Enjoyed hearing that characteristic 'click' of the door. Imagine the pretty TF body shape prototype being belted out by the Factory panel man, Billy Wilkins, in two(2) weeks ! Cheers Rob Grantham TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos"). |
| Rob Grantham |
| Another warm Saturday to work in the barn. Completed the driver's side and pretty much done less some minor things I have to attend to. Drilled new holes and inserted oak wood dowels to tighten up the plate for the striker. Worked from 9AM in the morning until 9:30 PM. Finished just in time before Christmas and also in time to put other cars in the barn while my folks are away in Florida. They have been bugging me about this for a while.....
I love the sound of the clunk. https://youtu.be/7YwtuK6Jhyg My last post to this thread. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. Frank TF1414  |
| Frank Cronin |
| A symphony of sound. Great work, Frank. Bud |
| Bud Krueger |
This thread was discussed between 15/10/2018 and 23/12/2018
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