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MG MGB Technical - Plated or painted? Originality Question

Regarding my 1973 MGB. Was the bonnet(hood)safty catch and locking cup plate originally painted the color of the car or were they electroplated? If plated was it a cadminum or zinc/tin plate? Anyone know with 100% certainty?

ThanxBOB
RES Schultz

My '67 B, which I've owned for 37 years, was painted the same color as the rest of the car. RAY
RAY

On page 15 of "Original MGB", three cars are shown with their lids up. The MGB and the MGB V8 shown both have painted catches, whereas the MGC has a plated safety hook and spring/cup main lock. Was this latter original? Who knows.
As far as my memory goes, having seen a lot of MGB engines, I don't think I have ever seen a plated set. All components, both under the hood and on the slam panel were painted body colour.
Mike Howlett

I was pretty sure painted was original but people tended to plate them when restoring because they don't like the idea that the paint wears off them! Personally I was going to just paint mine.

Simon
Simon Jansen

Bob,
Yes they were indeed painted.

The lock and cap were installed and then painted along with the rest of the panel work in whatever the body colour was.

Any with plated parts would have been done by an owner at some stage.

Cheers , Pete/
Peter Thomas

A related question, what was under parts that were bolted on then painted? Primer? Or just plain steel? Things like the bonnet catches, door hinges and so on.

Simon
Simon Jansen

Simon

According to what I found on my 67 GT when I refreshed the paint, the answer is primer. I also found some parts must have been painted and put on later as some parts had paint under them.
Bruce-C

My 1972 MGB(orginial owner)was painted Bronze yellow just like the car was....100% sure !! Final answer:)
rich osterhout

I was going to paint all the bolt on parts separately. Sp paint all the hidden parts, bolt them on the paint over them again when the whole car is painted. Hinges and catches and so on I mean. Now I wonder if I should do it like the factory and maybe prime the parts (maybe with zinc primer) then bolt them on then paint them with the rest of the car?


Simon Jansen

I plated, then painted!
The paint does come off where any wear occurs, but at lease the part won't rust.
John
John Minchin

Simon, if you plan to not paint over the primer where things are bolted on, use an epoxy primer.
John H

John H, thanks! I was going to use PPG DP40 so hopefully that should do the trick!
Simon Jansen

John,epoxy primer,does it come in a "buzz bomb can"who would carry that?thanks,Rich O
rich osterhout

My '73 was painted the body cover. When I repainted, we painted the bolt-on parts and painted the body. Then after bolting on the parts, we painted over everything. Latches do lose some paint, but looks like it did from the factory.
Lyle Radebaugh

This thread was discussed between 25/01/2009 and 18/02/2009

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