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MG TD TF 1500 - Painting bolt heads

I've read through the archives looking for info on this and it's mostly plating stuff. I was just wondering if someone had come across a good product that you could just "dip" the bolt head into and once dry have a good durable finish (preferably black)?

Or am I just dreaming?
Geoffrey M Baker

Dreaming, I'm afraid. The stress applied to the little flats on that bolt by that (comparatively) big wrench is simply too much for any paint I know about... it invariably cracks at the points of contact.
kmclemore

Geoffrey,

If you have time and some patience this Eastwood kit works pretty well. I have not personally used it, but friends of mine say it works well.

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-metal-blackening-solution-1-pt.html
Daniel Nordstrom


Here are two:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/936947/caswell-black-oxide-gel-kit-4-ounces?cm_vc=subv936947


https://www.midwayusa.com/product/129903/blue-wonder-gun-black-cold-black-2-oz-kit

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

Another option you may want to consider is what I do when I'm in a hurry and it has worked out quite well...

I warm up the bolt with my propane torch not letting it not get toooo hot. I then hit it with a light shot of rattle-can Flat Black (keeping it light) This method has held up very well for me. And you can always touch it up with a brush after tightening.

It does take a little practice before you get the heat right though.

A poor mans baked on finish.

Dan
Daniel Nordstrom

Good idea Dan... I was wondering what would happen if I hooked up a bolt to my welder and tossed some powder coat on it 😃
Geoffrey M Baker

An old toaster oven work well for small parts. Do not use it iside home or else?
I also used an old large kitchen stove for is oven. I can fit a 14" wheel in it.
Sandy
SANDY

The most durable product I know of is POR15. It's a lot of work just to keep the bolt heads black though. If it bothers you, just install everything, get them nice and clean, and then spray clear coat on them. That will keep the rust away. Or use modern stainless.
Steve Simmons

I have used paint on bolt heads for years. Rattle-can or shot with an air brush. Yes, it may chip or scratch off in a few places when installing the bolt, but touch up with a good quality small brush makes it look unmolested. The paint may adhere better if you prep with self-etching primer, a dip in Ospho, or sandblasting.

I have toyed with spraying with "aluminum" or "stainless steel" color paint, then dusting with "chrome" to give a somewhat natural metal look. Doesn't fool many people.

I feel that powder coat, POR-15, ChassisBlack, etc. produce a finish that is too thick and may damage more easily during assembly.

New zinc or cadmium plating would be the ideal solution for a natural finish look.

DIY plating seems to be labor intensive, although I would like to try it some time.

> Zinc Plating at Home with Common Materials
by Tom Gugliotta
http://home.comcast.net/~rt66tbird/website/zincplating.html

> Zinc Plating with Yellow Chromate Conversion - How to achieve that factory look
http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?63715-Zinc-Plating-with-Yellow-Chromate-Conversion-How-to-achieve-that-factory-look&s=a01c6edf499fa5d068bfadce4d9b622b

> Caswell Inc.
http://www.caswellplating.com/

> Caswell Inc. - all plating kits
http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/index.html

> Caswell Inc. - Copy Cad & Zinc Plating Kits
http://www.caswellplating.com/electroplating-anodizing/zinc-plating-kits.html

> Caswell Inc. - review by Hemmings Motor News
http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/images/copycad_hmn.pdf

> Caswell Inc. - Street Thunder Magazine
http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/images/PlateIt.pdf

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Lonnie, POR15 is thinner than most paints. Goes on almost like water.
Steve Simmons

Few bolts on the TD were painted because of the problem outlined above. Nothing has changed in the past 60 years. Apart from the spare wheel carrier I can think of few others. I've used the blackening kit & it does a good job however it is not impervious to rust. Having said that however lower down on the cars the chassis bolts were probably painted black post assembly. I can't see that the visible bolts on body panels would have been painted originally as has been stated it is impossible to tighten/loosen a painted bolt without damaging the finish. Also seems highly unlikely there would be buckets of bolts painted in the various colours beside the line during assembly. Maybe powder coating in black would be more durable? The problem there would be clogging up the threads however ... Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

The myriad of bolts that affix the firewall to the bucket were always painted body color.

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtd/Pictures/UnRstr51/Thumbnails/mgtd_gallery_unrstrd51.htm

SEE FRAME 9

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

OK the purists are going g to send me death threats but I have replaced all the wing and running board fasteners with M8 stainless nuts, bolts and washers. The 3/8 captive nuts take a M8 thread perfectly. In the UK you can buy them from Screwfix or Tool station in various lengths for pence.

Jan T. (Have to put the "T" there since there are two Jan's subscribing)
J Targosz

While the .125 mm pitch is very close to a 3/8-20 tpi BSF bolt (1.27 mm pitch, an 8 mm bolt is only 0.315" in diameter. Closer to 5/16 then 3/8.

I replaced all the FH machine screws with SS machine screws.

I purchased the BSF variety in the UK. I did cheat and use some UNC where they were fastened with nuts but I used Whitworth Nuts.

As long as the length is correct you cannot tell them from BS.

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

Jim B,
Thanks for the link to the TD gallery photos. Just ready to install the steering column fume excluder on my car. You saved me from doing it backward and having to remove the column again. Thanks again.

Jim Haskins 1953 TD
J. M. Haskins

Hi Jim B,

You are correct I should have said 5/16 and not 3/8. There are not many of the latter in the TFs body.

Jan T
J Targosz

That's correct Jim B. I ignored the really obvious ones probably because they are never undone. Well only when the car is being restored & I wonder how many guys on the line thought that would ever happen? Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

This thread was discussed between 04/04/2015 and 05/04/2015

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