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MG TD TF 1500 - Ready for the Paint Shop

I finished my body prep, and we're ready for paint. I'm bringing the car to the shop next week. Still haven't finalized our choice of color. I'm leaning towards Clipper Blue. Anyone out there with Clipper Blue images to share?
Thanks.


Corey Pedersen

It would paint better if you removed the front and back wings, splash apron, and tank from the back. Mine is almost ready for paint but I have some timber to replace. When the parts arrive I will probably be ready in a week. Wish I could paint. It is sure going to cost a fortune.


Rob
Rob Welborne

The fuel tank and spare tire frame have been removed. I think my shop will do a good job with the fenders installed.
Corey Pedersen

Corey,
You are aware that wilting goes between the fenders, running boards, splash apron, etc., so they will have to be removed eventually to install it. Why not do it now so everything can be done correctly?
Gene Gillam

Corey, Oh no. You can't do even a half way decent job with the wings (fenders)on. George
George Butz

Duh...make that *welting* or *piping*, not *wilting*.
Gene Gillam

Gene, according to my research the welting should be car color. My welting is in good condition, so I'm going to leave it in place for painting.

George, I'm sure complete disassembly would be best for a 100 point car. I'm just going to do a good amateur restoration, so I'm leaving the fenders on. My paint guy did a marvelous job on my 1962 Corvair, and he had to do lot's of twist and turns to do that job!

I'd still like to have some more Clipper Blue information. I would like to ensure that I specify the correct paint.
Corey Pedersen

Corey,

You're correct about the color of the welting/piping BUT have you considered that your welting has been waxed and that that wax is really hard to get out of the nooks and crannies around the welting? It's hard enough to get a good paint job under the right conditions, much less when contaminants are introduced from the beginning.

Really make sure your paint shop knows what they're doing...that's all I'm trying to say.
Gene Gillam

Gene, good advice. I used Pre-Kleeno before I started sanding, so I believe I removed all of the contaminants. I don't think my car has been waxed (or cleaned for that matter) for many years, so I also suspect wax wasn't much of an issue! Nonetheless, I'll clean the welting with Pre-Kleeno one more time to ensure I haven't missed any areas.
Corey Pedersen

Corey,
It's "your baby" ...but, really listen to the folks here. Wings need to come off for paint on these cars.
It's the way they were painted in Abingdon for a reason! There are a lot of people here that have painted (or had painted) a "T" car ...we wouldn't lie to you. It's really not that big of a job even for a "driver"....you'll be glad you did down the road.
David Sheward

Corey,
I just finished painting and assembling my TD a few months ago.

I totally agree that the only way to get a great paint job is to remove the fenders and running boards. Fist, if you have to adjust the front fenders to match up with the bonnet you could end up with some parts that are not painted being visible. The welting should also be painted seperately because it should have flex agent in the paint. If not the paint will flake off the welting. It happened to a VW beetle I painted.

At the stage you are at , removing and reinstalling will only take a few more hours. Another plus is that it will be so much easier to assemble all the other parts, especially in the engine compartment without the front fenders on. I just went through all of that and is such a breeze without the fenders in the way. The extra time spent will be more than worth it in time saved on reassembly. Some of the wiring harness work would really be a challenge with the fenders on. You don't want to finish reassembling the front of the car while working over freshly painted fenders.

I'm in CT so if you're reasonably close I'd be happy to come by and lend a hand. Here's a pic of my car after the tub was painted. Look how much easier it will be to finish off the engine compartment without the fenders on.

Good luck, Louie




louis pascuzzi

I'm with the crowd that says you should take it apart before painting. Most likely there is corrosion between the fenders and tub that should be cleaned up at this time. In addition the beading can be painted but to get the paint to adhere it will need some flex agent added to the paint mix. Not something you would want on the sheet metal.


L E D LaVerne

Not Tom's


L E D LaVerne

another


L E D LaVerne

Every time I see a pic of someones car in their work area it seems huge. Am I the only person with a regular garage he works out of? I am quite jealous.

Rob
Rob Welborne

Rob, have to agree, I need a larger garage. I even have a bump-out on my garage, but my TD has to squeeze in with my other 2 cars!

D Engel

Here is mine.


Tom Maine (TD8105)

For most of my life I had this Rob.


L E D LaVerne

But now I'm spoiled


L E D LaVerne

Rob,
This make you feel better?


David Sheward

I do like the new one better.


David Sheward

This garage is mine

Gerard


Gerard Hengeveld

...think I win...(on the 'small' side that is)....converted garden shed.....with the trick end wall....


gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

David, I do I detect a Vette? below is mine


Tom Maine (TD8105)

Rob, How about this mess? The frame had to share space wih paint, sprayers, junk, and my 280Z- which was banished later so I had more room. I wanted to convert the kid's bedrooms to garage space, but wife (and the kids) were not in favor...George


George Butz

Tom,
That's a 73 Opel GT.
David Sheward

David , I don't think so
Gerard Hengeveld

Yes, My vote goes for wings and running boards off. Over 35 years ago when I did mine I actually drove it to the body shop with no wings, doors, hood, and gas tank pulled back a few inches from the tub! Took all the loose parts to the shop in a borrowed pickup truck.
John Quilter (TD8986)

My shop will hold both my MGTD and my 67 MGB GT, but too small to work with both in the shop. I normally keep one in the shop during the winter.




Bruce Cunha

LaVerne, looks like the Green Hornet is missing something.
Tom Maine (TD8105)

Doing a rear engine mock up :-)

Taken when I was restoring the TF. See my cousins midget in the back ground? TD yet to come along with a newer p/u better golf cart, bigger tractor etc etc
L E D LaVerne

Someday, I have to get out to CO. have lots of friends out there from Breckenridge to Castle Rock and beyond..
Tom Maine (TD8105)

Maybe I do have a little more room than some. Car on one side of the garage and work on car parts on the other side. Once the car is all together I will probably complain I have to much room.

Rob
Rob Welborne

Corey,
Nice looking Corvair. I have a 63 coupe and a 64 convert. They are fun cars too! I've owned them for 58 and 31 years. Family cars!
Chuck
cj schmit

Thanks Chuck. Wow, that's loyalty!

I completed a two-year restoration this summer, in time for its 50th anniversary (the car is a 1962 Monza, the first year for Corvair convertibles). We've had a lot of fun taking it to car shows. It gets a lot of attention. I've only owned the car for two years.


Corey Pedersen

This thread was discussed between 28/09/2012 and 04/10/2012

MG TD TF 1500 index

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