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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - Modifications on MG ZRs...

Open question, but I suspect that Roger Parker is probably best positioned to be able to answer it... ;o)

I quite like the ZR, but the unbroken body colour is a bit much IMO- especially with yellow paint. I've owned both Golf GTIs and Pugeot 205 GTis and both these cars broke the body colour up with matt black platic.

The Rover 25 uses matt black body moldings- which on the ZS160 and 105 are body coloured. Would it be possible to remove these body 'protectors' on the ZS and replace them with the matt black jobbies- including those on the bumpers? Yellow/ black would make a nice contrast :o)

Just a thought... :o)
Rob Bell

I remember reading somewhere that these bumpers are actually one single big moulding and that what appears like separate body protectors in the same colour are in fact only creases in the bumper made to look like added separate parts. Don't know if this applies to all Z cars though...

Per
Per

Ah- that would be a problem. That puts the expense up somewhat. I guess one would have to buy a fresh unpainted bumper, spray to match the car but with the rubbing strips masked off. Not ideal.
Rob Bell

In terms of the bodyside moldings themselves - they would be a straight replacement piece, if you'd like to go with the grained, low gloss look. On the other hand, for contrast, you could simply remove and repaint your existing moldings with a low gloss gray or (better looking IMHO) high gloss black.

The bumpers are a bit tricky, in that the "protective rubstrip" is really only a reveal of the underlying plastic (usually TPO). The body color is applied over a mask which is taken off, revealing the plastic under surface. In this case, though, the color/application you wish is quite simple, mask the body color and (rough, prime and) paint the color you want. To avoid the cost of a new bumper fascia, if you're looking for a low gloss grained effect, grit can be added to the paint to simulate a plastic's grained finish.

This is best handled professionally - but remember, this mask-and-reveal treatment is the norm, and this is how all cars are repaired regularly these days.
John Z

Makes sense John, thanks. Possibly a gloss black would be okay on the bumpers/ side trims- will have to give it some thought. I would also agree that my own competence with a spray gun is a long way short of trusting myself to do this job properly- definitely a job for a professional!!!

Cheers
Rob Bell

Front and rear bumper sections are moulded into the assembly. The side pieces are stuck on and let me say without fear of contradiction that you simply do not remove these!!! Once you get these off they will NOT be in a fit state to go back as the adhesive used, even when heated from behind always seems to cause some stretch to occure in the side pieces.

Overall though the cost of a bodyshop repainting the whole section round the car is by far the best option.

Rog
Roger Parker

Roger - I bow to your expertise in these matters. I know that the bodyside moldings are adhesively attached, and I made that assumption that - professionally - these items may be removed. While cars are moving swiftly away from easy service-ability, what with the volume of repair work being done one would think that techniques would exist.

Perhaps Mr. Bell needs to arrange a consultation with his local automotive body and trim restoration facility professional (aka body shop man).

(You know what you do when you assume . . . )
John Z

John,

Having had to 'fight' some of these mouldigs recently any 'reuseability' that may hve been designed in has got lost by the chap who designed the adhesive!!!

A couple of body shops had a laugh when I spoke about trying to reuse them!!

Rog
Roger Parker

Food for thought guys- thanks. :o)

Basically going through all the potential perrmutations before settling on a replacement for our venerable '97 Rover 214 (which has happily taken us across Europe this weekend to drop off my sister-in-law at Trier University!)

We have a soft spot for 200/25/ZRs- but I also would like to get a ZS180. Running costs naturally favour the smaller car however.

Quite fancy the registration "MG xx BEE" which would suit a modified yellow ZR with black stripes! LOL
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 04/10/2001 and 08/10/2001

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