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MG TD TF 1500 - The guy that painted bolts at Abingdon ...

There has been a lot of discussion about the guy with the can of paint and a brush that painted nuts and bolts on T-chassis after they were built at Abingdon. Did he only work on TDs? Do TFs have natural fasteners on the chassis?

I've been looking at photos of the underside of TF9052 on Chris Couper's site. Just about all of the bolts on the underside are natural.
https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtf/Pictures/TF9052/Thumbnails/mgtf_tf9052.htm

I can't send a large quantity to a plater at one time, so - if I don't plate the bolts / nuts / washers in my TF chassis, then what alternative do you recommend?
> paint black?
> paint with Eastwood Silver Cad Aerosol or similar?
> other suggestions?

Thanks,

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

I used a blackening kit that is available here but was not happy with the permanence of the product, as rust started showing through after a few months, even with those that I'd blackened and kept in a plastic bag for later use. TD pics in Chris's gallery seem to suggest the fender bolts were painted black. Makes sense as otherwise there would have to be bins and bins of body coloured bolts beside the line. This is by no means proven though. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

The fender bolts and large washers (wings to side panels and tub) were all cad plated on TF's.

Matthew.
M Magilton

I was thinking about zinc plating mine.I happen to have a zinc anode from a marine engine. I was thinking more about rust proofing the whole thing, bolts, nuts, threads rather than chasing originality.

Anyone see any issues with that? Thinking maybe some interference with the nut/bolt fit?

Dave
D Moore

Because all the fittings were such in bad shape on the TF, I bought all the bolts, nuts and washers from B&G, they look cad plated but I know their not, must be zinc. The flat washers are the proper thickness and diameter, not like from most other suppliers. I deal with B&G for correctness on most items. PJ
PJ Jennings

Is anyone else skeptical, as I am, about the existence of the "lad" that painted the bolts and ran down to the hardware store to pick up non-standard parts when they ran out of nuts, bolts or rivets on the assembly line?
J K Barter

I have studied every factory picture I can find. There is no doubt in my mind that the fasteners started out unpainted and then were painted.

Here is a factory picture on the assembly line. You can clearly see the unpainted bolts on the suspension.


Bruce Cunha

Here is another picture on the factory line. This time with the body on. Not as clear, but the bolts are no longer shiny.



Bruce Cunha

In every factory picture where the body is not on, the bolts are unpainted. In those where the body is on, they are dark. So, it would appear the got painted after the engine went in, but before the body was put on.




Bruce Cunha

Here is another picture with the body on. Interesting picture as they had to remove the steering rack for some reason. Body is on, Bolts are dark.


Bruce Cunha

And this final shot of a TD being loaded onto an Auto carrier Not the clearest picture, but the bolts appear to be dark.

Can't say about the TF as I have not seen any factory pictures of it.


Bruce Cunha

Looks pretty convincing.
J K Barter

Unlike TDs, Matthew pointed out that some chassis fasteners on TFs were not painted; backed up by photos of TF9052. So back to my original question — is there any paint-type product that replicates the look of cad plating for the fasteners?

If I can’t find a spray-on product, then Caswell or Eastwood zinc plating kits may be an option, but I don’t know how well they delay rust. Paul’s recommendation to buy new fasteners is also an option.

Suggestions?

Thanks,

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

you could try a Weld-Through primer such as:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/shw-dpp108.

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

Lonnie,

Eastwood silver cad aerosol is available. I used it to paint the "ears" of the flasher mounted to the cowl. Taking it apart looked to risky with rivets and such but I did cad plate the cover. Very close match and was happy with the result.

Frank TF1414
Frank Cronin

Bruce, I had a good photo saved, but cant find it now that I need it (of course!), that showed a small spray gun hanging up on the wall attached to a hose, behind where they assembled the suspension on the frame.

Matthew.
M Magilton

On TFs, the bolts and nuts affixing the Spare Wheel Carrier to Chassis Frame were left in Cadmium plated form. The Steering Column to Chassis bracket also had a Cadmium plated nut, bolt and washer originally.

Interestingly, TF9052 on 'The Original MGTF' site has unpainted, but Cadmium plated, front end suspension A frame bolts, nuts and washers.

Cheers
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos" ).
Rob Grantham

I did all the suspension bolts, brake line, fuel line and wire clips in the eastwood zinc kit. It worked very well. I did mine in 2006 and for the most part, they have held up very well.

Lonnie. If you find the picture, I would love a copy. I can add it to my documentation.

My plan on the TD restoration is to document why I did things. Using factory pictures as much as possible.
Bruce Cunha

This thread was discussed between 12/04/2019 and 14/04/2019

MG TD TF 1500 index

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