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MG TD TF 1500 - Where to find cream piping

The color of my 52 TD is approximately cream. I say it is approximately because I am certain that it is not an original color, and it seems to be more yellow than cream when I compare it to other cars such as Dave Braun's. My PO used blck fender piping which I think looks bad because of the bad contrast against the cream. So I am planning to install cream colored piping. I was searching several parts catalogs and found out that they sell black, red, and green, but not cream. I noticed that the color of Dave's car is very similar to mine, and he had installed matching color fender piping. My hopes were dashed (although I should not have been surprised) when I discovered that Dave assembled his piping from scratch. So my question is there any source out there where I can purchase cream colored fender piping?
Mike Iandolo

I recently had a similar problem when I finally and reluctantly got around to respraying the battered factory finish on my guards. Of course when I took the guards off, the original piping mostly fell apart. With the painting done, I had to replace the birch grey piping so I went around to a few local upholsterers untill I found the right colour vinyl. Then I chose a core for the piping. I used co-axial TV cable because it was the right diameter (when combined with the thicker modern vinyl) and the right mix of firmness and flexibility that I was looking for. I then had the upholsterer stitch the piping up in one long length for me. Fitting the piping was a fiddly busness with all the carefull cuts around the bolt holes. I did not cut-and-tuck the trailling edge of each piping run untill I was completely certain I had the correct length figured out.
This is my amateur solution and I am sure there are other good ideas out there too.

Cheers,
Matthew.
Matthew Magilton

We always paint the welting to match the car color. A flex agent can be added to the paint to allow for the various bends. I will call my brother and get the name of the products we used.

I have always felt that the welting should match the paint to draw the eye to the correct line on the cars - the outer fender lines.

Jeff
Jeff

Nothing amateur about that... thats the best answer, other then painting it which lots of owners do as well...and it works if the painter knows what to mix.
Get the lengths you need + a foot and an upholsterer will put the them together pretty quickly. If you use a Marine upholstery shop, the odds are pretty good they will have the colour on the shelf in offcuts.
(I painted mine 4 years ago with a brush and matte black varathane...still there and looks ok...mine had been white on black with red under the fenders)

gblawson(gordon)

I used a marine grade vinyl from an uphostery shop that matched my cream paint. They stitched it for me useing plastic tubing. the front valance should be smaller diameter, so I used smaller diameter tubing ( from hardware store) and used contact cement intead of stitching. Worked as good as stitching.
Dave
DL Rezin

I have retsored 3 mg tds with colors varying from red to yelowish white. In each case I went to an upholster and obtained the vinyl fabric and cord. The orginal piping is a solid cloth base. Most auto interior supply places will sew up the cord and vinyl for less than $50. Try to avoid painting the piping. I have seen the paint crack after a few years.

Ralph Cacace

The flex agent added to the paint will prevent cracking - 4 TDs with painted welting and no cracks as of yet. Lots of options out there though it seems.

Jeff
Jeff

Thanks everyone. I agree I now have a couple of options. I will check my local auto interior and boat shops to find out if they can fabricate. Hopefully I can find vinyl that is a close color match, but if not I will paint it with the flex agent. Jeff I hate to bother you again but were you able to find out the brand name of the flex agent from your brother?

Related question -- What is the best way to get touch up paint to match my current color since my paint is not original and I have no record of it to get a reference number/color.
Mike Iandolo

Mike,
I have just finished resoring my TD painted ivory which is original MG colour. This is a yellowy cream. I used a cream piping supplied by NTG motor services Ltd part no. J041W at £51 their e mail address is sales@ntgservices.co.uk Tel 01473 743133 web site www.mgbits.com
see attached photo of completed restoration

C A Pick

Mike ; Look up your local paint supply as many of them have an electronic gidjet to identify colors. This machine then gives them the color code and can match your paint. They also have flex agent for adding to the paint used for bumpers etc.
Sandy
conrad sanders

Mike,
I went to a paint supply as Conrad suggests. I took the side panel from the gas tank for them to analyze with their "gidjet". It comes off easily and is a nice flat surface for them to analyze.
Safety? Fast?
Scott Ashworth - '54 TF - (Apparently "Colorado Red")
S. R. Ashworth

This thread was discussed between 05/11/2008 and 12/11/2008

MG TD TF 1500 index

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