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MG TD TF 1500 - Windscreen frame base metal is?

Does anybody happen to know what the windscreen frame base metal is? Is it solid brass?

Just had some chromeplating done on the windscreen frame & an area that was repaired with Commweld 965, a low melting point high silver solder content soft solder, came back looking like s#%t!

My guess is the turkey out the back buffed the living bejesus out of it & then neglected to tell the boss & just went ahead with the plating process hoping we wouldn't notice! The repair was pointed out to the owner when I dropped the stuff off & he assured me all would be well. I even offered to leave some of the solder just in case the wheels fell off!

If its solid brass it can be brazed or silver soldered. But if its some sort of ugly base metal then forget it. Has anyone ever cut into a damaged frame? If so please tell me its brass!

Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Hi Peter, From my experience I think you will find it is brass. One of my spare bits has been hacksawed and it certainly looks like brass to me.
regards Rob TD 0267
R Browne

Hi Peter,

The TD and TF windscreen frames are made out of brass as are the stanchions.

Soft silver solder is not satisfactory for effective chrome plating. Usually the linisher/polisher whips out the soft solder
too easily plus the chrome does'nt take very well.

Oxy/acetylene brazing with silver rods is effective. However,I would recommend an 'expert' welder experienced in the use of silver brazing to do the necessary work on the frame. The frame itself is quite light in gauge.

The T type windscreen frames are expensive so obviously care is required.Too hot a flame and your frame could look like 'running gold!'

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").



Rob Grantham

I'm not certain it is brass. I had cracks in the frame of my prewar MG and tried to silver solder them but the solder just wouldn't flow and wet the frame metal. The frame metal had a tinge of red - possibly bronze? I have repaired parts, prior to plating with soft solder but you have to be very careful with polishing or you will create flats as the solder is preferentially polished The key is a thick coat of copper over the repairs. Also soft solder doesn't leave pits which often happens with silver solder.

Cheers

Jan T
J Targosz

Thanks Rob, Rob & Jan. So far we have two brass & one possible bronze. I will need to have the upright repaired (again!) & stripped & rechromed (again!)& I would only like to go through the exercise just the one more time. All contributions welcomed & any/all assistance gratefully received.
Cheers
Peter TD5801
P Hehir

Peter, I think they are brass as well. Why not ask the plater to strip the plating off the part. Then you can have a good look at it to see what it is made of. You will easily see if it is brass or bronze.
Max Irvine

Hi Max. I saw them in the raw after they were stripped & before plating. Looked like brass but the vague coppery overtone had me wondering. But then I'm no metallurgist. If the brazing process is the same for brass & bronze, then I guess the point is moot. And Max, TD's do rule! (as TF's are just TD's with a pretty face!)
P Hehir TD 5801
P Hehir

This thread was discussed between 01/11/2013 and 03/11/2013

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