T-Series 1953 MG TD Reassembly - CONTINUOUSLY UPDATED

[tony barnhill]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Tony, is the wood (timbers) all orginal or did you replace some? What did you use to preserve the wood?[/QUOTE]

Barry - lots of new wood...all the wood, old & new, was treated with copper naphthenate. Instructions on can say:

An air drying, copper-base preservative for wood, fabric and rope. Will arrest the action of decay, rot, fungi, termites and other wood infesting insects. Can be applied by dip, brush or spray, and will give long lasting protection. It has excellent penetrative properties, a high resistance to leaching (water insoluble), is long-lasting, and only a mild odor."

 

[beachbumbarry]

Tony, Thanks for the information, I will look into the copper naphthenate, and probably go that route. Have you herd of anyone repairing the old wood, like the rotted ends?
I have some that the one end is rotted about 2" and would just like to repair them.
BarryE

 

[tony barnhill]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Have you herd of anyone repairing the old wood, like the rotted ends?[/QUOTE]

No, though I guess a cabinet maker could do something with finger joints...but, every piece of wood you'd need is available....the real problem is disassembly, IMHO....assembly is actually going smoothly - though slow.

 

[zahnej]

Tony,

I am also doing a frame up (including all new wood) on a 53 TD and I am at about the same stage you are. Getting ready to start the thing. Have done all the body work and painted it in PPG DDL Lacquer - Jaguar New Green, which is a dark British racing green.

Your car looks beautiful. You should be proud of that kind of work!! What kind of paint did you use?

I hear you on the down payment for a house. And mine was a fairly complete running car.

 

[tony barnhill]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]What kind of paint did you use?[/QUOTE]

Base coat/clear coat Sequoia Cream - an R&M Paint #YL5 - over white epoxy primer...every individual piece of the car, no matter how small, was painted with the epoxy primer on all sides & then painted on all sides - separately (except the inside of the tub & all wood was painted with black lacquer)....then each body panel was clear coated, then buffed...when assembly is finished, we're bringing in a professional auto detailer to put a final buff/polish on the entire car!

Oh, the welting between the fenders & body was painted with Sequoia Creme that was treated for flexibility.

 

[zahnej]

Looks great Tony!! Base - clear is a lot like lacquer - fairly easy to apply.

I made a metal square tube jig complete with Destaco clamps based on the old tub when I did the wood and still had to fool around for a day or two to get the doors to fit right.

How did you do with the door fit up?

 

[tony barnhill]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]How did you do with the door fit up?[/QUOTE]

The PO who was the original owner of the car did most of the 'grunt' work before I got the car....luckily everything around them - to include the doors themselves - didn't need any work...today when we fitted them, they went on like clockwork...I ordered a couple of 1/16" shims for the latch assemblies in case I need them (they weren't there from the factory)....we'll know tomorrow.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]I made a metal square tube jig complete with Destaco clamps based on the old tub [/QUOTE]

Would love to see photos of that jig if you have them...that's some serious work!

 

[zahnej]

Unfortunately I pulled off the clamps and pitched the jig due to space problems. I will have to look back at my photos to see if I can find one with the tub on it.

Even with all that work it was still fun getting the doors to fit. Once on the frame, I used an extra tub to frame rubber shim here and there, to get things to work out - I don't feel bad as I understand they did it at the factory also!

 

[tony barnhill]

Well, tomorrow will tell the tale when we install the latches/locks....right now, they look perfect & open/close properly with the right amount of overlap....got my fingers crossed!

If I've read correctly (& I'm getting old & senile so coud have forgotten - hehehehe), they basically had to hand assemble the older wood framed cars in the factory.

 

[Steve_S]

All MGs were hand assembled back then. Each piece was hand fit because each piece was hand made. It's all part of the game, and it's why a ground-up restoration on a wood bodied car is such a drag. Treat the wood properly and you won't have to touch it again for a very long time, even if you drive the car daily.

I know a guy who bought his MG TC new from the dealer in the late 40's and still drives it. The paint is worn through right to the bare metal in places from washing and polishing it thousands of times over the past 60 years. But the wood is still fine!

 

[tony barnhill]

& my hat is off to you guys who drive them all the time, Steve!

 

[Steve_S]

Guess my argument wasn't strong enough to get you behind the wheel, eh? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif That's ok, so long as you get some kind of enjoyment from owning the car then all is good.

 

[vping]

....& my list of extra new & used stuff is growing (I may have to find another for all the extra parts!).

I'm still here /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/savewave.gif and I whole heartedly agree, keep it pristine oh and about those used parts /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif

 

[jlaird]

"professional auto detailer"

What the heck is this? Where do they come from? What do they charge?

You mean to thell me that Ricky is not, and all this time I thought he was a professional.

 

[tony barnhill]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Guess my argument wasn't strong enough to get you behind the wheel, eh? [/QUOTE]

hehehehe - oh, she'll see the road from time to time, on short trips.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]"professional auto detailer"

What the heck is this? Where do they come from? What do they charge?

You mean to thell me that Ricky is not, and all this time I thought he was a professional. [/QUOTE]

hehehehe, Jack, you crack me up! Yep, Ricky's a professional & he's been handling all the paint, buffing & bodywork....but, I'm bringing in a guy to detail the entire car when we're finished....body, chrome, et.al.

 

[jlaird]

I have one of those detailers. Oh wait that's me. Works for peanuts too.

Hay Tony thought about one of those guys starting at one end of the shop and just working his way through?

Yea Ricky will get the final body work and paint and buffing to do. I know what I can not do properly, problem is I know how it should be done. Good place to stay away from.

 

[tony barnhill]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Hay Tony thought about one of those guys starting at one end of the shop and just working his way through?[/QUOTE]

Not a bad idea, Jack....especially in light of my upcoming garage tour/drive on 22 Sep!

 

[jlaird]

I should think a wash, a claying and a waxing would mostly be all that is required.

Oh yea, and about 30 car covers to keep em that way.

 

[tony barnhill]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Oh yea, and about 30 car covers to keep em that way.[/QUOTE]

But then I can't see them!

 

[jlaird]

No, but you can have a car of the day or week and you can peak from time to time.

Remember 22 Sept.