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MG TD TF 1500 - TF top hose stockinette finish

The top hose to the radiator originally a stockinette finish. In search of one, I did locate a supplier in Florida but when I called it didn't seem the person was doing so well. I was told out of stock and the owner is in the hospital....

So either the search continues or make your own.

I got a spare top hose and gave it a try to duplicate a stockinette finish.

How did it come out?

Frank

TF 1414

Frank Cronin

Ya done good. I would love to have it on my TF when I complete the restoration.

I removed one from my TF when I bought it five years ago.

Lonnie
TF7211

LM Cook

Frank,

I have the 'stockinette' top radiator hose on both the 1250 and the 1500. These came some years ago from the man in Florida.

Your effort is very similar to his product.

Cheers
Rob Grantham
Rob Grantham

It's not bad but it comes a little short how it really should look. I'm going to try again. This was a practice run of an idea that I had. I put too much Permatex on which is really thick and hid much of the cross stitching that I wanted.

Stay tuned.

Frank

TF 1414
Frank Cronin

Wow. Close enough. Good job.
Christopher Couper

Nice job Frank, were the lower straight hoses made out of the same material? I'd like a set if they ever come available! PJ
PJ Jennings

The lower hoses did not have the sock finish but more like a cloth tape finish. I think these are readily available. Check FTFU. I think he has them.
Christopher Couper

Second time around....This I think came out much better so there you can see the stitching.

Frank

TF 1414

Frank Cronin

Wow! Perfect. Tell me your secrete. I wanna make one ... if I ever complete my restoration.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Please share the process Frank. Unless you are going into business making them.

I need one for my TD restoration.
Bruce Cunha

Making one is pretty easy. Just some time and patience and don't rush what I learned after the first go around.

Materials needed:

1. Radiator top hose $13.99 from Moss
2. Rolling pin cover / sock. $2.99 Bed Bath & Beyond. Perfect diameter to get a nice stretch.
3. Permatex Ultra Black silicone gasket maker $5.97 from Walmart
4. Disposable gloves (gets messy)
5. Two elastic bands
6. Mini -torch or lighter
7. Rust-Oleum High Heat flat black paint $8.78 Home Depot

Install the rolling pin cover on to the full length of radiator hose and clip off the excess but leave a few inches on each end for ease of handling.

Roll back one side of the sock just a little bit half way so you can apply the Permatex. Wipe an even layer but not too thick with your finger tip on the hose.

Roll back the rolling pin cover on to the hose. Take note of the stitching (lengthwise) to make sure everything is nice and straight and not a “wavy”.

Install elastic band between the bellow.

Repeat on other side and let completely dry overnight. Picture below is at this step.

After a complete cure, remove the elastic bands and put on another set of gloves. What’s next is the important part. What you want to do is just get a small dab of Permatex (no globs) on the tip of your finger and dab repeatedly to the sock. Less is more in this instance. The goal here is to saturate the fibers of the cotton with the Permatex. DO NOT WIPE unless you like how my first one on the top of this thread came out. It will fill in the cross stitching and ruin the “stockinet” look. Squirt some Permatex on a piece of scrap card board and keep on dabbing gradually filling in the fibers to impregnate the Permatex. Patience and alternating fingers to tap on / dab on helps prevent overfill of the stitching.

Let dry overnight.

From all the dabbing the cotton fibers have lifted and you will see some unsightly fuzz balls / lint. This is where the flame comes in. I used a mini torch to “singe” the lint to make everything nice and flat.

I then used some high temperature paint to help fill in any areas where you see some white still in the cotton.

Allow time to completely dry.

Trim both ends and you’re done!

Frank
TF1414


Frank Cronin

Frank, great job. I'm unclear as to whether this stockinet top hose was also fitted to the TD? I thought the TD hose originally had just one bulge in the middle? Can anyone clarify? Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Very interesting. So I am clear. The sock stays on and you are thinly coating it with the gasket sealant?

I found a couple of old top hoses that are cracked. Perfect for experimenting with.
Bruce Cunha

Genius! Good work. Well done.
Be well,
David
D. Sander

Peter,

You are correct, see Moss 434-410, one bulge in plain hose.

Jim
James Neel

Bruce,

The sock stays on. Look at Lonnie's picture. I just used a rolling pin cover to get the appearance as close as I could get. The Permatex is basically like an adhesive keeping the sock on the hose. On the outside you are embedding the fibers to keep it a "rubbery like" stockinette finish.

I'll mention again. The Permatex is "gooey" so put a dab on your index finger and thin it out rubbing your index finger with your thumb. Doesn't take long to fill in all the white but keep tapping away using different fingers to help lift excess if you applied too much in one area.


Frank

TF1414
Frank Cronin

Hey Frank,

Thanks for your tutorial. I made a "Stockinette" upper radiator hose for my TF. Didn't turn out as well as yours, but usable. It's that little touch of pseudo-originality that makes an engine compartment stand out. Haven't installed it because the engine is out of the car.

I agree ... less-is-better. Some of the knit on my hose is filled with Permatex. Don't know if I used too much on the hose before I applied the rolling pin cover, or if I used too much on the outer coat.

Instead of dabbing the outside with Permatex, I made very thin slurry of Permatex and paint thinner to brush on a thin coating. Probably too much ... it gobbed up in some places.

I practiced on a old radiator hose. I didn't use elastic bands in the valleys on the final hose because they squeezed Permatex through the cloth on my test hose ... (I used too much.)

Moral of the story ... follow your instructions exactly.

Photo shows my new radiator hose and the hose that was on the TF when I bought it.

Lonnie
TF7211





LM Cook

Hi Lonnie,

I think yours came out great!

Is is true that "less is more" on the dabbing of the Permatex to the exterior and taking your time. A light mist of high temp flat black paint fills it in anyhow. It took me two attempts to get it how I wanted it.

Congrats and look forward to seeing it installed on the car.

Frank

TF1414
Frank Cronin

This thread was discussed between 14/01/2019 and 09/10/2020

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