MGA front shocks handed?

[tdskip]

They look identical, but seems like a good idea to check since I took them off ages ago and got rebuilt ones from Peter at NOS anyway. Thanks guys.

[Steve Simmons]

Nope, they can go on either side just like MGB shocks.

[tdskip]

Thanks Steve.

Hey - question for you. I posted this over at the MG site, but I'm getting pulled towards undercoating my wheel wells. On a scale of 1 - 10, with 10 being a lousy (or typical for me) idea where would you put that?

The metal is sound but paint is ratty. Basically trying to protect the metal and not have to deal with stripping it all and then having to repaint the wheel wells and engine bay (which I'm committed to doing at this point).

[Jimmy]

Once that undercoating is on there, you're pretty much past the point of no return.
It'd be a hard return, at the very least.
You'll likely feel it's a "2" for the first day, then realize it's an "11" - on the 1 to 10 scale.

[Steve Simmons]

I have many problems with undercoat...

- It's heavy
- It looks terrible
- It will eventually dry out, crack and trap water underneath, causing rust
- It scares potential buyers if you ever sell the car

About the only advantage I can think of is that it dampens vibration and sound, but that's only a result of it being so heavy. That said, you live in such a dry area that I can't see that it would matter much whether you use it or not. There won't be much water to get trapped in there when it eventually dries out, and at the same time there isn't enough water to require any special coating to prevent rust.

Your A is black, right? If it were me, I'd just clean and sand down the wheel wells and then brush some decent paint on it. Being black and behind the wheels, it should look fine.

[Martin Keller]

Hey - question for you. I posted this over at the MG site, but I'm getting pulled towards undercoating my wheel wells. On a scale of 1 - 10, with 10 being a lousy (or typical for me) idea where would you put that?

The metal is sound but paint is ratty. Basically trying to protect the metal and not have to deal with stripping it all and then having to repaint the wheel wells and engine bay (which I'm committed to doing at this point).

Painting the Wheel wells is much easier to do and is a lot cleaner and easier than removing undercoat from them but that is just my belief and I have done both and will paint the wheel wells over undercoating them anytime. You can always paint them a flat black and then at a later time paint them to match the exterior color.

[tdskip]

Thanks guys. The MGA is orient red, and she as painted up top so while she has original paint in her wheel wells it doesn't looks so good especially given that her top side is shiny.

So - time to break out the wire brushes and get it painted?

How do you guys prep for new paint over an existing base, and do you think a modern paint will even stick or am I looking at having to take her to bare metal?

[Jimmy]

I'd brush on a good zinchromate type primer (after wiping things down with laquer thinner), then add a decent top coat of your choice.
Just be careful not to drip paint on your freshly waxed drums.

[tdskip]

I'd brush on a good zinchromate type primer (after wiping things down with laquer thinner), then add a decent top coat of your choice.
Just be careful not to drip paint on your freshly waxed drums.

LOL

Thanks Jimmy.

[Steve Simmons]

I have little to no body and paint experience, but I do know that you can apply modern paints on top of old ones. One of my favorite paint guys did this recently on a friend's old 40's Dodge coupe. It came out great and is lasting well.