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MG TD TF 1500 - Colour paint floorboards

I just made new floor boards for my TF. I wonder what colour to apply: black or transparent? Maybe use some good yacht paint?
The old ones were black but also threatened with some kind of body coating (tectyl, bitak).

What are your thoughts?
John van den Boorn

Originally black probably satin rather than matt? For longevity I treated mine with a water based waterproofing membrane used in bathrooms. This just brushes on. Finished with satin black from a spray can. Important to be able to remove the boards WITHOUT having to remove the trim. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

They were painted black at the factory, with a very poor quality paint. I use Minwax Ebony black wood stain, followed with three coats of satin polyurethane. Make sure you do not use sealants or callking, water will get in, and needs to be able to get out.
Be well,
David

D. Sander

David: Why do you have those extra "L" brackets on your drive shaft tunnel brackets?
Christopher Couper

I think it important to have a hard, smooth surface under the car that you can easily wash down. I sprayed the underside of the TF with Waxoil and whilst it stopped rust it also attracted, and held, all the muck the road could throw at it. After use over the summer it looked dreadful and I have spent about a week cleaning everything off with rags and turpentine substitute. In the UK many car shows are held in fields where cows and horses graze during the week. You can imagine what I had to clean off under the wings!

Jan T
J Targosz

Dear John,

I could have replied in our native language it is not so nice to the English speaking crowd.

If you can get your hands on Epifanes (two part paint ) black satin and give two coats your wood is good for the rest of its life. The plywood sold in the Netherlands is generally from a better quality then what I can get here in Canada ( marine plywood )

Good luck

Gerard
Gerard Hengeveld

Chris,
I am not sure what L bracket you are referring to. I do have two 3/8" bolts on the rear tie brace near the transmission tunnel for inboard seat belt anchors.
Maybe an early/late TD thing?
Be well,
David
D. Sander

D Sanders. I think Chris is referring to the two angle iron pieces running off diagonally under the seats.

Bill Chasser
TD-4834
W. A. Chasser

Hi John,

I really like a natural finish. I saw some under carriage photos of a natural wood finish on ebay and decided that was the way to go. We used a clear epoxy, but I think varnish or urethane would be fine. It's personal preference, but it's also nice to have some additional light when you slide underneath the car.

Jim

J Barry

Top deck view. Just like the look of natural wood, even if it is covered by carpet.

J Barry

Mr. van den Boorn:


You might want to consider a product called "Abatron" for your floorboards - it's used in wood restoration and preservation. I have used it to repair / restore / preserve beams in our barn (built in 1868) and on the window frames and sills in our stone house (built in 1875). It is the best stuff that I have found for this type of wood repair, restoration and preservation work.

I have made new floor boards for our TD and have coated them in "Abatron" - but have not yet installed them (I plan to paint over the "Abatron" with black POR15 before putting them in the car).

It's available in a 2-part liquid and a 2-part putty.

It is also expensive - and I don't know if it's available in Europe?

You can 'google' the word "Abatron" - view the results and decide for yourself. I have no financial interest in "Abatron" - but I have contributed to their financial success a number of times!!!


Charlie King
'52 TD 16504
C. G. King

This thread was discussed between 11/03/2017 and 15/03/2017

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