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MG TD TF 1500 - What is the correct paint for my early rims?

My car has the early rims without holes. The PO had choosen a glossy silver.

I'd found a table and hope the workshop which will do the paintjob here in Germany will find the right color. But what is the right finish (glossy, silky, dull)?




W. Mueller

Silky/Satin originally. But your choice today.
Christopher Couper

Thank you Christopher!

Satin will be okay because it is easier to clean than a dull rim. Has glossy metallic been an option in the 50th?
W. Mueller

This British Pathe video shows early 1950 TD slotted wheels with light color wheels at 15sec. and 1:30; dark wheels at 1:37.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nt1rigJyLY

What ever color and gloss level that you choose, take time to prime and wet sand to a smooth finish before applying the color.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Thank you for the hint!

It's hard to say what color it was because the clip is in black and white. May be the dark rims were red. But they look glossy.

W. Mueller

When I had my TD I had the wheels powder coated in a silver with a shiny finish, looked very nice.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

The following are the results of my research undertaken just prior to having my TD wheels painted.

'Sorting through the information gathered thus far, the following indisputable 'facts' emerged:

The original codes for enamel no longer exist.
Leyland Silver Birch Ref 13260 in Dulon Acrylic is the way to go.
Don’t paint the wheels in acrylic.
You should use 2 pack & clear, it’s more durable.
Silver Birch is too dark, too green, too brown.
Mate, nobody’s got a clue these days so just paint the bloody things silver.
What you need comes from Glasurit Paints in Germany. It’s a 2 pack & clear medium metallic silver with a code reference 55M99/12.
Whatever you do don’t use powdercoat!
If it was me I’d powdercoat them.
Now if you really want an original colour & finish you can’t beat 'Enamel Silver Wheels “T” Type' imported from England. It comes in a can.
Sorry, we can’t help you. Have you tried the MG Car Club?


I ended up buying a can of 'Enamel Silver Wheels T Type' & gave it to a mate with a spray booth. He matched that colour & finish in 2 pack & clear. At the time I didn't know about Chris Couper's site. I've found his recommendations are invariably spot on. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

We have had discussions relating to the dark rims in the picture. It was speculated that these may be shipping rims that went to overseas locations and were changed for silver at the dealer.

No evidence of this, but no one seems to have seen any factory pictures other than these of TD's with dark rims.
Bruce Cunha

I always thought Ford Argent Silver was a close match. I think VHT wheel paint comes in that color in a rattle can. ?? PJ
Paul161

The March and April 1950 issues of "Road and Track Magazine" show an early TD with dark coloured solid wheels. A few issues of 1950 Nuffield News Exchange magazines also show TD's with wheels which seem to match the body colour of the car.
Now I don't have a single shred of evidence but it seems very likely the earliest TD's were on wheels which were available in more colours than silver-only....
Just my 2cts.
Nick (TD3232)
Nick Herwegh

I would not put too much credit on early factory issued photos or the vary earliest cars. Many of these were just about (or were) prototypes.

Check out this factory photo of a chassis with wheels of two colors.


Christopher Couper

Bruce Cunha wrote:

"No evidence of this, but no one seems to have seen any factory pictures other than these of TD's with dark rims"

Evidence of the opposite see pictures

W. Mueller

..and another picture

W. Mueller

Here are another set of factory pictures of early rims. Only the assembly line photo's show the darker color, and even then, there were two wheel colors, so probably just dummy wheels/tyres during assembly.

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtd/mgtd_heritage_pics.htm
Christopher Couper

Chris,
I guess you're right regarding the photos taken on the assembly line. However there are publicity shots with TD's which appear to have body coloured wheels (the car registered UMG121 for example). You have to remember it was common Nuffield practice to paint the steel wheels of their cars in body colour, wether it was an "ordinary" Morris Minor or a Riley RMC roadster.
Nick (TD3232)
Nick Herwegh

My painter, 40 years ago, used "Iridescent Base' for the wheels.
DavePro

This thread was discussed between 18/11/2016 and 22/11/2016

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