MG T-ABC

I'm currently progressing with building the wood frame for my TC (I'll start a thread on progress in due course). So far I've given all of the wood a liberal couple of coats of wood preservative that soaks right in.

I know that most of it ends up buried under metal, however, is there a 'correct' way to paint the wood? The wood that I took off had all been painted black, but I don't know if that was factory original.

I guess that I can either go with wood stain that would preserve the look of the wood and also protect it, or paint it (if so, what colour/color)

Views appreciated.

Steve:
None of the wood I've seen on TD's, TF's and my own TC was painted. Mike S. in his book also states that the wood from the factory was almost for sure untreated. He states that he gives his wood "liberal" coats of Red Oxide Primer which in Australia may be something quite different from what you can buy in the states or the UK by the same name. Our Red Oxide Primer is for ferrous metals and I doubt Mike would have used that. I plan on using a Danish oil sealant which soaks in quite nicely. Hadn't really thought about painting any of the wood but Sherrell says he painted all the ply pieces in satin black. My car is white so the wood may get a coat of satin white, the choice is yours to make. As you say, no-one will see it. .......

Marv TC5141

The wood in my car is painted black, but it was done by the previous owner's garage. No idea on the process they used.

The timbers on my car up under the dash and scuttle, quite probably original and untouched were a rather thin coat of semi gloss dusty black. After using preservative I just gave it a couple of coats black oil base Rustoleum, slow dry with some ability to soak in a bit.

Mine seems original factory . Red oxide primer. I've attached pic . of body plate under dash passenger side.
Hope it helps.

mine TC0660 1946 was NOT PAINTED! when we took her apart for a -from the frame up- restoration.

Thanks for the advice. After careful consideration, I've decided to paint it with a natural coloured wood stain as this will help to protect it whilst still allowing the wood to breath. As mentioned I've also treated all of it with wood preservative anyway. Wood stain also comes in ebony/black so I may eventually paint most of the ply parts like that.

Marv - I think that you are correct about red oxide being different stuff in different places. In the UK, red oxide is for priming ferrous metal as well.