TR2/3/3A TR3A Seat Track Colour Question

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Hi Guys,

Maybe a silly question but what is the colour of the seat tracks on a 60 TR3A? I assume that they were painted?

Just painting some small bits and was wondering....might as well try to make them correct if I can or care to...

Think that the answer might be in the TRA judging guidelines but my computer doesn't like to open some PDF's for some reason.

Cheers,
David

 

[TR3driver]

TRA guidelines describe them as "clear cadmium plated", which I assume is the same as natural color cadmium.

 

[JohnnyMead]

I tried to simulate that plated look with gray paint. It was not convincing.
John

 

[Tr3aguy]

I have tried this and think it looks pretty close as far as I know......
Silver Cadmiun Paint

 

[PSUTR3B]

I replaced the seat tracks in the restoration process. As I recall the old ones were not painted and neither were the new ones. They were a natural metal grayish color. I am quite sure that I did not paint them before installing them. Though I don't change the seat position very often, the tracks do still slide fairly easily. I probably put a bit of grease on when I installed them. It was a 1962 but I suspect the tracks are the same.

Gary

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

I have both the gold cad and silver cad product from eastwood in the garage. Guess I will try the silver cad and see how it comes out. Will take some pics and post when I am done.

Cheers,
David

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Hi Guys,

Just a quick update with some photos. Did some of the bits for the seat tracks with the Silver Cad from Eastwood. ( I still need to get the bottom tracks off the old floors that I took out of the car, they were rusted to the cage nuts solidly)

As they came off the car

After Media Blasting

After the Silver Cad.

Not sure what they are supposed to look like...all I know is that they look alot better than they did....

Cheers,
David

 

[JohnnyMead]

Those look good David. I'm going to check that paint out.
John

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Hi John,

Thanks, just a couple of coats of self etching primer followed by three coats of the silver cad. I suppose you could clear coat them as well...

Cheers,
David

 

[HerronScott]

David,

Look good to me as well. How do you think it compares to just silver paint and your typical cadmium-plated bolt? Maybe a better comparison would be with the seat rails in your TR6 assuming they haven't been painted.

Scott

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Hi Scott,

Actually, pretty close to my 6 seat tracks...you can see some of the shine under the rear seat lock/keeper plate.

My 6 had no carpet in it when I bought it.....seat tracks were painted when I did the resto on the 6.

Definately looks different from Silver or Aluminum paint. The silver cas has a bit of a blue tinge to it.....reflects the light a little differently.

Cheers,
David

 

[bgbassplyr]

David, Those look a whole lot more like they do now than they did.


Pretty!

 

[toysrrus]

Hi Folks,

Since we`re on "Seat Tracks"; Is that "Anywhere" or can "Anyone" tell me how to find a starting mounting point for my `57TR3 Buckets. I had bought some pretty nice, In-Expensive Floor Boards & the "Thru" holes to mount the "Seat Tracks" are`nt there.

If there is no definitive answer to this question; I guess I can simply lay the seat buckets in the cockpit, sit myself down & find the most comfortable location for myself.

Thanx in Advance,

Russ

PS: Hey David, I hope you taped off those studs before you painted!!

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Hi Russ,

Here is what I do (seems to work for me) regarding the taping of thread and studs prior to painting. Once I clean the part down to get it ready for primer, before I shoot I paint the threads of the studs with a little bit of vasoline with a fine artist brush. Paint doesn`t stick to the vaseline so the nuts have no problem going back on.

If you need some measurements ( I assume that they are the same for a 57 and a 60) for your seat tracks, I can take some from the old floors that I removed.

Cheers,
David

 

[Tr3aguy]

David,
I would say that silver cad looks about as close to original as you could get.....nice work....whats the address to send my small bits for refurbishing?

 

[vivdownunder]

Russ, on the RH side, the seat floorpan track starts 3/8" back from the edge of the metal cover over the handbrake rubber boot.

Seem to recall the tracks run parallel to the tailshaft part of the tunnel - not the rockers which taper inwards towards the rear.

Regards,

Viv.

 

[toysrrus]

Howdy Dave & Viv,

"Thanx" for the info.

"Dave"; Yes, If you have the time to take some measurments; That would be great. I too have to "Presume" the `60 & `57 would be the same or at least awful close.

Thanx Again,

Russ

PS: If you wish; You can email the dimensions etc to my myself at: toysrrus@att.net