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MG MGA - grill piping adhesive

I just received new grill piping and would like a recommendation for adhesive.
Terry Marcus

Gell-type Super Glue works well. Use very sparingly on the very edge of the grille shell, glue a couple of inches at a time, cut 'V' slots in the flat part of the piping to get it to lay flat round the corners.
Lindsay Sampford

I never had to use any adhesive or cut "slots" to get the piping to fit the grill. I did soak it in hot water for a while first. It should install and be held in place by the body of the car.

If it is a bad fit then you have a problem of damage or poorly made parts of either the car or grill. Almost none fit perfect but most sit close enough.

Jim
Jim Ferguson

My expert panelbeater fits the body to the grille so the piping is held firmly around its perimeter.
He did learn his trade skills in England, working on MGA's, when they were quite new -- the young 'lairds' smashed them up and Andrew rebuilt them. I am glad to know him!
Barry
Barry Gannon

Terry, its fairly simple. Using a thin hobbiest paint brush spread a very thin amount of contact adhesive on both the piping and the edge of the grille itself. Let dry for 5 minutes, and attach the piping very carefully around the grille perimeter. The joint ends should be at bottom centre of grille. This way the piping will stay in place firmly stuck to the grille. Any excess adhesive can be cleaned off after the grille is properly screwed in place.

Frank
F Camilleri

Does the grill piping actually join/meet at the bottom or was there originally a few inches of space between the ends?
Robert Maupin

Robert,
Yes, there is(normally) a few inches of space between the ends.

Terry,
As mentioned, you don't need, and probably don't want, to use glue. Put the grill in place and leave the bolts a little loose. Work the piping into place between the grille edge and body. Adjust the tension on the bolts as needed to allow fitting the piping. As Jim mentions, keeping it warm and supple helps.

Cheers and good luck,
GTF
G T Foster

As GTF says, originally the piping ends didn't meet and they were tucked behind the grill after the bottom corners. However, it seems there is a trend on rebuilds to leave the piping exposed along the bottom edge with either a gap or the ends meeting in the middle. Of course it is whatever people prefer.
Neil McGurk

This thread was discussed between 03/11/2010 and 04/11/2010

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