Tech Tips
Powdercoating for Profit (and fun)
MGTD Project Brake and Wheel Restoration

     

I have always wanted one of the 1952 MGTD kit cars and I finally got one. I have to be extremely careful and RESIST the urge to strip and powder coat everything possible on this car. Why? I am trying to stay in the vintage era and look. Because this car is a Kit and I want it to look as authentic as possible I actually want some wear and tear to show. I want this to appear to be a 50 year old car. The car was completed in 1981 so already it is 21 years old approaching antique status in it's own right. I have limited myself to powder coating brake and wheel parts and I will be doing some engine components.

 

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  I start with my spare tire rim. This has been flat but mounted on the exterior of the car for quite some time. You can see the results as it is loaded up with quite a bit of rust.
     

  A closer picture reveals the paint bubbling and rusting off with quite a bit of pitting.
     

  There is no real way to remove the pits but after a trip to the blast cabinet for a spare wheel this will be usable and appear nicely.

 

   

  After powder coating front, back and inside with cast aluminum color I have the tire remounted and balanced. Between a new valve stem and getting rid of all the corrosion the tire holds air fine. I invented my own "replica" hubcap and get quite a visual improvement over the original cheesy wire wheel covers that came with the kit car.
     

  I start now on the brakes. Lots of corrosion, grime and lockup on the brake components.
     

  I start by removing all components and blasting and powder coating the backing plates.
     

  I then install all new hardware, shoes and wheel cylinders. It's not that anyone will go peeking inside your brake setup but the powder coating offers excellent resistance to dust, grime and brake fluid.
     

  After removing the wire wheel covers the rims are pretty scuffed up and well worn. Fortunately the original paint has protected the rims from rusting so they are in sound shape foundationally.
     

  I reinstall the freshly powder coated rim with a new white wall insert and get a totally different "era" look. I coated the lugs and grease hub as well. This will be covered with my "replica" hubcaps. Below is a picture of the overall project completed. It make quite a visual difference.
     

     

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