TR2/3/3A Tr3 Defroster Vents

[mountainman]

Can someone tell me if the defroster vents on my TR3 should be painted black or the body color?
Thanks
Greg

 

[martx-5]

I've only seen them in black.

 

[Tinkerman]

Black is all I've ever seen.

 

[TR4nut]

You guys obviously haven't seen mine - I have a healthy overspray of yellow on them. But since the car body came from the factory as gray, I'm pretty sure the yellow isn't original!

Randy

 

[TR3driver]

Not body color, although I think I've seen some in colors other than black.

 

[AweMan]

On my 56, originally they were not painted at all! No paint to be found on them anywhere! Now they are epoxy primed and painted epoxy semi gloss black. {No one is going to see them anyway!}

 

[angelfj1]

any color you like - just so it's glossy black

 

[TR3driver]

On a related note, any suggestions on how to close up the defroster hole on a car without the optional heater?

Years ago, I owned a TR3A that actually had not had the heater installed by the factory (a California car apparently ) but I don't recall what was in the holes for the defroster vents. Since the heater borders on useless anyway and the defrosters are even worse; I've elected to delete the whole shebang from the project TR3. Since the heater from the "now wrecked" 3A has also been on a shelf in my garage for over two decades, I'm confident I won't miss it.

But, I've had problems in the past with rain and/or dew getting in through the defroster vent and having an adverse effect on the stereo mounted where the glovebox should be. My inclination is to just slap a patch over the hole, but I thought I'd ask for alternate suggestions.

 

[angelfj1]

using the vents as a template, just fabricate 2 blanking plates from alum. flashing. glue some weather stripping to the surface which will be facing the outlet and attach to the original mounting studs.