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MG TD TF 1500 - Under Dash Cover material

Another material question, but I thought I would start a new thread.

I have been working on drawing up a pattern from an original under dash panel for a member. The original had a very thin material covering the panel. Unfortunately, I can't find the scraps of material that came off the panel.

The panel itself appears to be a pressed material, possibly a paper product. It has an oily feel to the material that has crumbled It does not appear to be a Masonite fiber type material.

Has this item been identified in any other posts?

I have original material from my dash (50 TD 4139) and the material that was on the under dash panel appeared to be thinner, but could have been the same.

Bruce Cunha

Here is a picture of the panel prior to taking the material off. The material had to be removed to get to the screws that held the attaching plates and boards in place.

Bruce Cunha

Bruce,
The material is pretty close to (if not the same as) "upholsterers board" that should be available at a good upholstery supply place. It's a dense, pressed, cardboard type material with water-resistant black coating, that can be cut with a box cutter blade. It's the same stuff as the TF front kick panels are made from. I bought a piece to remake the curved rear corner panels and starting handle panels on the TF.
Tyler
C.T. Irwin

I dont think that material is original. Everybody threw that thing out after first time is got mushy from moisture. You be copying a copy of a copy, I fear.
S Cole

FYI, here's a bit of information about the under dash shield that I bought from Abingdon Spares about 25 years ago. Decided not to install it and it eventually found a home with a fellow lister. Bud
http://www.ttalk.info/Tech/Under_dash.htm
Bud Krueger

Definitely an original shield with original brackets. Same cardboard type material and color as what was on my TD when purchased in the early 70s. One hole for the steering column bracket, one for reaching back to set the clock, and the large one likely for a radio speaker? George
George Butz

Geo: 20 years plenty of time to have replaced mask. Hopeful that they copied the mushy original good!
S Cole

The one I have (in the picture) is an original one and it is pretty "mushy" in spots. I bought it for a pattern.

I think Black Waterproof Treated Panel is pretty close for the under material. But there was also a fabric(?) covering on the side that faces down.

In the picture, you can see the missing piece of it on the lower left corner. The metal bracket on the left middle is under this material.

Probably a rexan or the other material used by MG, but it is thinner. I was just checking to see if anyone had identified the original material for the covering.
Bruce Cunha

I thought it was black oil cloth. You can still get that today.
Christopher Couper

We should admit there is such a teeny tiny chance of ever getting our hands on an original mask is next to zero. Something like this no really matter, as it would likely just need some adjustments anyway to fit out car. A car restored 45 years ago not have original either, just an old one.

Unless you find some car been in a museum all its entire life, then maybe that one has got an original mask we could copy and trim to fit our car.
S Cole

The original covering on my under-dash shield appears to be a black Rexine-type material with an embossed grain similar to what covers the dashboard.
Joe

Joe Olson

... and here's a picture of the whole cover. Maybe I'll get around to installing it someday.

Joe Olson

Chris this is the only black oil cloth I could find. I purchased it for the trim on the inside of the side curtain box door but I believe it is way more glossy than the original so I abandoned that idea. I don't doubt for a moment that Joe & Bruce both have original panels & that the one Bruce refers to was also original. Odd though that in both pics posted above they appear more grey than black. If ever you happen to see a close match to the material covering yours Joe I'd be keen to know the source. With the sketch provided by Bud it should be possible to make one that is very close to the original. Cheers
Peter TD 5801

P Hehir

That should read 'the one that George refers to' Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Joe, certainly that is not rexine witth the embossed leather look.
SCole

I have no idea what the exact brand name of the material is. I was simply trying to say that it is very similar in texture and feel to the material covering the dash. I don't know how similar it is to the "rexine" (or whatever the true name is) sold by any current suppliers. If the new material is similar, perhaps it could be dyed or painted black to be used for the under-dash panel.

It may appear gray in the pictures but it is definitely black.

Joe
Joe Olson

Joe's is probably vinyde which was the follow up to Rexine by ICI and used for the dash etc (but not in black).
Christopher Couper

Joe. That looks just like mine. Note the material covers the metal brackets.

One option I have used for other cars (Triumph Spitfire underdash shelf). Is black faux leather grained shelf paper. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZ8KT1M?th=1

It has an adhesive back, but I have found it stays better if you use adhesive spray.

Very thin, but holds up pretty good.
Bruce Cunha

This thread was discussed between 19/01/2017 and 24/01/2017

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