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MG TD TF 1500 - Chrome TD instrument panel for trade

Anyone interested in a 1953 MG TD chrome instrument panel in trade for a painted or ready for paint panel. The chrome is in very good condition with no rust. There is a small dent at the choke cable opening and a few scuff marks. All in all it is in very good shape. The PO probably spent a lot of money getting it chromed. I hate to scuff it up for painting but I don't want a chrome panel. Contact me if you are interested in a trade.

Thanks

Tim

Timothy Burchfield

Or you could go buy some marine plywood and use the chrome one as a template. I built my own.
efh Haskell

Ed, are you saying you built the instrument panel out of marine plywood? I've never seen that.

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

Yes, out of marine ply then I veneered it. The old one I took out was also wood. I thought that was how they all were?
efh Haskell

Ed, are you talking about the dash or the metal instrument panel shown in my photo above? I have never seen a wood instrument panel. Could you post a picture?

Thanks

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

Duh! Senior moment. I forgot all about the metal panel! Never mind my suggestion!! I was thinking about the wood dash.
Ed
efh Haskell

Ed, no problem. My senior moments have become my senior life :-)

Regards

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

When I had mine replated, the plater also did the whole thing.
I had it painted by a body shop and they just roughed up the chrome plating in the field with carbide paper ,

Jim B.

JA Benjamin

Tim,

I fabricated a complex stainless instrument cover for wifey's favorite toy.

Her second favorite toy has a chromed instrument cluster with painted inset leaving the perimeter as chrome trim.

It reminds me of my old BSA motorcycle chrome plated gas tank with all the majority rough scratched for painted areas.

Are you sure you don't want to paint the innards and leave the perimeter chrome?
JIM N

Tim if you painted the face as it was done originally you could easily repair the damage around the choke penno and have an original looking instrument cluster. Obviously it's impossible to just chrome plate the rim. The whole thing has to be plated and then dealt with as Jim suggests. Cheers
Peter TD 5801

P Hehir

Timely that you should raise this, Tim - what do people think is the best way to mask the chrome rim when repainting the inner section? I would normally think careful placement of masking tape, but because of the curves is there a trick anyone can pass on?
Thank you ... John.
J P Hall

Narrow masking tape makes it easier.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Sometime posts that seem very clear to the poster are easily misunderstood by the readers. I have painted instrument panels before. I know the technique. I was only asking if, before I prepared and painted the panel. someone would like it in its current condition. If not I will prepare and paint the panel as I have done in the past. I use very thin automobile plastic masking tape for the initial line around the chrome edge. It doesn't wrinkle on the tight corners. I then use broader tape to cover the rest of the chrome edge. I really appreciate everyone's responses but I'm just asking if anyone wants to trade the re chromed panel I have for one already painted. So far it looks like there is no interest so probably Monday I'll prepare and paint the panel. I apologize for not making myself clear in my original post. Thanks again for the input.

Regards

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

"I apologize for not making myself clear in my original post. "

FWIW it was clear to me. :-)

You might want to think about replacing the flat on the right hand hole so the cable housing does not spin. Could be a bummer if that happens and causes the paint to peel away.
Christopher Couper

Chris, good point about the flat. I hadn't noticed it missing. That is probably what caused the damage around the hole. Looks like I'm gong to ruin that nice chrome anyway welding a piece onto the choke cable hole. Thanks for pointing it out.

Regards

Tim

Timothy Burchfield

John, I found the best way to paint these types of panels is having chromed the whole panel scuff up the centre part and then paint all the panel, get some rag soaked in thinners and wipe off the rim. It doesn't leave any raised edge. I did it with side tank side panels. Don
Donald J Walker

Sorry Tim - I didn't mean to confuse things. Just an ancillary question without notice!
Don, that's great advice - there's often a trick lurking somewhere.
Regards, John.
J P Hall

Just a side thought, I wouldn't run a fully chromed panel. The reflection in the sun is terrible, and practically blinding. Even an engine turned dash is really bright.
Steve Simmons

I think you will be OK with sanding away the chrome around the back side of the hole and soldering something in to restore the D shape. Then use a little filler on the front side and you will be good.

My car had two ad hoc holes for turn indicators at one time.
Christopher Couper

John, no problem at all. Thanks for your input.

Steve, I agree. But I have seen chrome panels installed so someone likes them :-)

Chris, good plan thanks.

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

Steve, here's one with a chrome instrument panel. Just FYI.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/T-Series/202443199097?hash=item2f228e1279:g:qJkAAOSwn1Fbo4EU

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

Mine has a chrome instrument panel. It was like that when I got the car but I have another panel which I had re-chromed and the paint to do it properly. I will redo the whole dash over winter and get rid of the wooden beading too.

Regards
Declan

Declan Burns

While you're working on the dash upgrade Declan I have some flocking for the interior of the glove box if you need it. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

This thread was discussed between 14/09/2018 and 26/09/2018

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