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MG TD TF 1500 - Engine paint source

Besides Moss does anyone have a source for engine paint in either spray or quart can.

joe

JWP Policastro

Generally speaking there are two camps on colours. One suggests a burgundy red which I believe is appropriate for the later M.G.' & those that use a colour similar to what I've used below. Mine was colour matched from the original painted part of the block behind the breather plate. Sure heat affected over the 18 years the car was on the road but very close to the other original cars I've seen here. I can send you a sample on a card which you can get colour matched in enamel somewhere near you. Cheers
Peter TD 5801

P Hehir

Here we go...
efh Haskell

I used Bill Hirsch engine enamel on my TF engine and gearbox. It was a joy to use. Sprays well (thin to spray). It flows out smooth when brushed and looks like it was sprayed. It's held up well and is easy to touch up.

I painted my engine while the head was off. Later, I sprayed the gearbox when I rebuilt it. Sprayed the gearbox, head, push rod cover, and other removable parts with a Harbor Freight detail gun. I primed and wet-sanded the push rod cover. Used an air brush to hit difficult locations. I painted the rest of the engine while it was in the car, mostly with a good artist brush. You can't tell the sprayed parts from the brushed parts.

Regarding color ...
The color is called "MG Maroon." Is it correct? I dunno. It's not purple like an MGB. It's not red like a fire truck. To me, it looks just right.

$39/quart. This color is not available in rattle cans.
http://www.hirschauto.com/ENGINE-ENAMEL/productinfo/EE-QUART/

Q&A:
http://www.hirschauto.com/engine.pdf

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Its a fair question. You can spend two days in the archive & still be none the wiser! Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

First picture shows engine color when I got the car. I painted it Deep Canyon Red (supposedly MG Red)and it looked like my MGB engine color. I striped it again and re painted it Cardinal Red, second pic, which came out closer to the original. But, everyone's eyes view different colors differently. I like it. PJ

Color before stripping. Original,??


Paul161

Final color,



Paul161

Bill Hirsch
Len Fanelli

I couldn't find a match to this :-)

Seriously..I believe the gearbox here would have been a good source for color matching. I used the Moss stuff and the color wasn't anywhere close to this. Is also changed color when yo got any anti freeze on it. Mines now painted with an automotive red that isn't close to this.

MG LaVerne

Laverne is right on.

The paint on the gear box will give you a much better indication what the original color looked like.

I think the gear box lid that is bolted on from the top is painted on both sides. The factory also painted inside the gear box itself. Take a look what that paint looks like from underneath the lid which I think is a more accurate factory color sample and is protected from the elements over the years.

I went with Bill Hirsch based on the recommendations from the forum and LOTS of reading previous threads in the archives. TONS of opinions but I think I made a pretty good choice when I compared the freshly painted engine with the gear box cover. I moistened the cover with water to give it a "fresh sprayed look" and it was really close.

The paint is really nice to work with as Lonnie stated in his post.

Frank TF1414
Frank Cronin

Hmm. Now I find myself defending Moss in this case. I wonder if it's a quality control thing?

I have used their engine paint for the T's series and found it pretty accurate for the TD/TF color. It's on my car. I admit it does not hold up but I like the fact that I can touch it up as it blends easily. It also does not hold heat much since there is little body to it.

This picture is a bit bright but you can compare the engine color to my MG Red paint on the firewall.

Christopher Couper

The engine in my car when I bought it was more of the burgundy color. I kept the color using Rustoleum Burgundy spray cans. The color was to my liking and was not expensive. Also, it has passed the test of time, heat and antifreeze with no degradation of color or finish.

Jim Merz

Many samples of original paint I have seen have a slight mauve tint from the Moss red. I have the Moss on my engine, and while it is easy to touch up I would use something more durable next time. Considering it is from a spray can it is fine. George
George Butz

My machinist painted the engine. He suggested Dupli-Color Dark Canyon Red which seemed like a pretty good match to the original. The engine had been repainted a dull blue in a previous rebuild.

Geoffrey M Baker

Here is TD23834's water branch pipe and what you can see on the engine where the paint remains and is not covered in grease/oil.

Picture is a bit overexposed but you can get the idea.

It's not blueish like burgundy or maroon.

Christopher Couper

Christopher that red in the last picture is very very close to the Moss red. My reason for asking for another source is the quality and the cost of that paint. Really the durability of that paint. I had a leak a while back in the head cover plate in the rear and the engine has spots on it where the antifreeze got to it? Just not a very durable paint in my opinion.

Th darker red/maroon appears or be more like my MGA engine color.

I was hoping to find a red like the Moss paint but with a ceramic in it. Eastwood has a red but it is a cardinal red. Since I am rebuilding a spare engine I may use that. It is actually between the two colors and has a ceramic base and when you add in the hardener it really holds up and shines nicely.

I have used this paint on my TR6 and really like it. I have no experience trying to get the stuff off.

Thanks for the input on shinning the aluminum. I was superprised how much that effected the temperature. I filed that one away for future reference.

Thanks to all for the inputs and great discussion.

Joe

JWP Policastro

Joe: You can try to see if any of the engine formulas here still work. Most automotive paint supply stores can mix paint into spray cans these days too.

BTW the Moss paint is not durable at all. When leaks happen like you describe I just mask off for overspray and mist on a light coat of the Moss paint. It blends in without the fogging you would get with regular paint because it is so light.
Christopher Couper

Bill hirsch for my too. Love the paint. Regards, tom
tm peterson

I used the Moss paint and clear coated it with a Duplicolor "ceramic" engine paint after reading about staining from coolant, etc. I haven't run the motor, yet, so fingers crossed!
David Littlefield

This thread was discussed between 29/04/2016 and 02/05/2016

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