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MG TD TF 1500 - To Paint or not to Paint

I fitted cupro nickle brake pipes to the TF and cleaned up the brass banjoes that they fit to. The bleeding nipples were plated steel as were the leaver arms for the handbrake. Everything looked great until I took the car out on salted roads. I now find virtually all the plated parts under the car are showing signs of rust and even the non ferrous items are being attacked. I am now tempted to give everything a good clean and then paint with outdoor black paint (solvent not the water based rubbish). Luckily I painted the rear of the bumpers with high quality grey paint and then waxoil and they are perfect but the wax does attract the dirt. If you look at the photos for TDs and TFs for sale some of them look pristine underneath with natural finishes to many metal parts. I wonder if these cars have ever been used on the road since being rebuilt and what shake down problems would occur when they are taken out.

Jan T
J Targosz

I think the answer must be that they are used very little - that or the owners are so keen that they regularly clean and repaint. Personally, I try ti avoid salted roads whenever possible, so I don't use my TF during winter.
Dave H
Dave Hill

12 years ago


L E D LaVerne

And now 35000 miles later in all kinds of weather including snow and salt


L E D LaVerne

You must wash it down thoroughly after every drive in winter. A good plan.
Dave H
Dave Hill

We used to drive our TD (and even the MGB) in the snow without giving a though to it. That stopped about 10 years ago, when they started putting salt on the roads or spraying them with calcium chloride to prevent the formation of ice. Bottom line, the MGs remain in the garage during the small portion of the winter when snow is being forecast. Cheers - Dave
DW DuBois

Wow LaVerne! I had no idea roadsalt was that corrosive! So much of the car is just gone 😀
D. Sander

I often paint metal parts. There is a lacquer rattle can spray called "cast blast" that is a perfect match for bare cast iron. I have used this to paint cast parts like the brake master cylinder and it holds up well. I have also used a similar paint that mimics the finish for cadmium plating. Eastwood sells an at home plating kit, this may be another good choice. I am not a fan of painting things black, but that is just me.



D. Sander

In Australia it is not salt on our roads that causes damage to cars but instead Kangaroos ! (lol).

Rob Grantham
Rob Grantham

Good one David :-)


It's the deer here Rob


L E D LaVerne

For the record I don't drive it often in the snow but I have... Rain frequently. I think I got more salt on it driving from Chicago to Springfield Mo in a summer rainstorm that I ever have driving around here. The car was covered with with it.


L E D LaVerne

When I rebuilt the front end, I used clear coat on everything except the rubber.
But then again, it has not snowed for long time here.
M Grogan

This thread was discussed between 06/01/2017 and 07/01/2017

MG TD TF 1500 index

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