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MG TD TF 1500 - Painting a TD Instrument Panel

The previous owner chromed the entire instrument panel but did not paint it. I'm in the process of refurbishing the panel and instruments plus switches and I would like to paint the center of the panel and leave the edges chromed as original. What is the best method for preparing the panel for paint with the chrome finish? I assume the restored panels must be totally chromed and then painted.

Is there a good way to etch or rough the surface of the chrome before painting to ensure good adhesion?

Thanks in advance,
Roy
Roy Challberg

Roy,
FIW.
I masked the edge with masking tape; labourious but not difficult.
Use a small block of wood with fine grade wet/dry paper. Sanded roughly in circular motion but not too much pressure as scratchs will show through- purely to give a key for the paint. Used suitable primer (as many times as necessary to hide any scratches) and then painted.
I also used a craft knife/scalpel/rasor blade when paint completely dry to make a light cut at the edge where the masking tape and the painted area meet; all the way around. This was to stop the paint which has overlaid from the panel surface to the masking tape being torn off when the tape is removed. Removed tape carefully then used small wad of cloth material with thinners on to smooth out any rough edges left from tape removal.
I'm sure others will have suggestions but this worked for me.
Happy painting.
Regards
Bill C.
Bill Cassidy

Roy: I'm no expert like most around here, but I will be doing the same to my panel soon. I planned to use a triangular head detail sander with 320 grit paper to prepare (rough) the surface for primer and paint. Waiting to see the answers you get for perhaps a better way.

Larry
L Karpman

I masked off my instrument panel edges (much easier than I imagined) and then sandblasted off the old finish. The sandblasted area makes a great surface to accept the new paint. I painted the panel twice, once with a GM matching bronze which I based on a color match of the old panel area under an area protected from sunlight by a bezel. This paint was deemed too dark by the local MG gurus, and I sandblasted it off and repainted with the official Moss color, which I think is too light, but has become the acceptable color. I clear coated the finished product for toughness and luster.

http://www.travelaire.photosite.com/MGTDRebuild/FasciaandInstrumentpanel/Masked_instrument_panel_chrome_edge_and_then_sandblasted.html

You can go to slide show and view these pics, or simply click forward.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Dave: I am with you. The Moss color seems OK for TF's but I think it is too light for TD's.

As far as painting the panel. You have to be careful you don't get too much paint near the edges or you will have a lip.

I masked my edges and then lightly scuffed the panel with 400 WD paper. I used a hard pointed piece of wood (golf tee?) to press the edge of the tape down hard. I then misted on a light coating of aircraft primer (that ugly yellow/green stuff). Then painted it with a 70's Ford Ginger repo color making sure the edges got very little paint. I pulled the tape off while the paint was still wet so the edges could settle in a bit. Then a few days later I buffed the paint (it was a lacquer) and it looked pretty good.

I suppose the factory had some sort of stencil they could have used which is possible using an airbrush but it would be fairly hard to create this at home.
Chris Couper

This thread was discussed between 12/01/2007 and 15/01/2007

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