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MG TD TF 1500 - Paint the wooden frame?

Hi fellow mg td owners,
I am restoring a '53 TD.
New bottom rails are in the frame now.
Which paint should I use to keep the wood in a good condition?
I want the car as original as possible, but the wooden frame is to important for Safety Fast driving.
MTIA.
J. van den Akker

I used an epoxy timber preservative then an undercoat and a matt black on the TF, this colour I understood being the original. The timbers have stayed in good condition for twenty five years now.
Bill McGee
Bill McGee

I used Trimetal Silvatane Classic. It is alkyd-urethanne, transparent and high gloss. Dutch paintshops (also the Verfkampioen) sell this stuff and they told me it is the best. I am still restoring so no info on the durability. I like to see the woodstructure so thats why it is transparent.
Nice to see another TD under restoration in the Netherlands. Where about do you live? I am in Helmond.
Greetings, Huib
Huib Bruijstens

I have for years, been using the Wolman Coppercoat Green Wood Preservative. Its based on copper sulphate and has been around for years. Its available I'm sure in Europe as my bro who live in the UK, uses it on his boats.

Its deep-penetrating, long-lasting and can be painted afterwards with no visable notice.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.

Gordon A. Clark

When I removed all the wood from my tub in the mid 60's, I soaked it in the same preservative as Gordon Clark mentions in the above thread. The wood in the tub to-day is the same wood and does not show any signs of deterioration after over 40 years. It must be recognized that the TD was off the road for over 30 years while my family grew up and left the nest. I then put the car back on the road after the restoration. The tub is better than when I got it in 1951 due to some changes that were made during the reassembly. The wood is still sound and will probably outlast me.
George Raham
TD 4224
G. L. Raham

Thank you all for your replies.
I am not sure if Coppercoat is allowed to use in the Netherlands,
but I now know what you did use to keep the wood in shape.
@Huib: I live near Tiel.
I don't have a Youtube movie as you have, but you can see some pictures on Facebook if you like to.
Thanks again!
J. van den Akker

Another is option is a synthetic resin deck sealant, which is more currently more "environmentally acceptable", if the Copper Naphthenate is not available. Most all the home improvement stores in the US sell the product as a Deck Sealer for outdoor decks, and fences. One main brand in the US is Thompson's Water Seal.
D C Congleton

J., I cannot trace you in Facebook. What is your name inthere? Greetings, Huib
Huib Bruijstens

Hi Huib and other MG enthousiasts.
Search for "Jeroen van den Akker".
(On the profile picture I wear a blue sweater.)
J. van den Akker

This thread was discussed between 01/12/2008 and 03/12/2008

MG TD TF 1500 index

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