'77 MGB - Zainoed

V

vulturetec

New member
My '77 MGB w/6 coats of Z2 on everything from the doors forward. Behind the doors I used 3M Swirl Remover to touch up some areas, 3M Imperial Hand Glaze, and topped it with Meguiars #26 Hi-Tech Yellow Wax (paste). I'm planning on stripping it all and doing something different with it in August; haven't quite decided exactly what yet. :nixweiss



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The only way I could get a decent picture that showed something other than an imitation of a mirror - and to show off the quality of the surface and apparent depth was to use a single light bulb. This is a close-up of the front left fender with the hood open



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Ok...time for the imitation of a mirror picture. Doors-forward is a bunch of Z2, behind the doors is 3M topped with #26:



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Finally, a high-angle view:

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:bow

:bow



that car looks simply AMAZING for the age!



you are the MAN!
 
Looks great!!



Tough to tell from those pics as the rear seems to be in the shade, but is there a discernable difference in the appearance of the Z and the #26?



Has the car been repainted? I noticed the front bumper has been color matched the same body color. Isn't that year normally black rubber?



I've always wanted an MG with the chrome bumpers (a pre '76?), but alas my 6'4" body won't let me have one.



Michael
 
I can see a noticable difference between the reflection in the rear quarter and door. Take a close look at the grass. You can almost count each individual blade in the door. The rear quarter is not quite as clear, although still very reflective!!! That's the best picture showing the difference between brands I have seen.:up
 
mpauly said:
Looks great!!



Tough to tell from those pics as the rear seems to be in the shade, but is there a discernable difference in the appearance of the Z and the #26?



Has the car been repainted? I noticed the front bumper has been color matched the same body color. Isn't that year normally black rubber?



I've always wanted an MG with the chrome bumpers (a pre '76?), but alas my 6'4" body won't let me have one.



Michael
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Thanks!



I won't go as far as to say there's a real difference if you were just looking at the car, and my intention wasn't really to show one was better than the other - but the picture does show the Zaino area better than the #26 area. Honestly though, sitting there staring at the car I doubt it's a difference that really stands out, if at all.



The car was restored/painted about 10 years ago. The paint is modern clearcoat paint on the metal and the bumpers. The bumpers were carefully sanded, smoothed, prepped, and painted with the appropriate paint/additives so it would shed from the plastic. After 10 years it does have a few small cracks in it, but as the bumper is very flexible in spot I'm not surprised. The fellow that restored and painted the car did an outstanding job on most of the painting details. The finish under the hood, engine compartment, and in the trunk is as good as -- if not better than the outside of the car. I usually use some Mothers cleaner-wax on the engine compartment, and #26 everywhere else.



You're right - along about 1976.5 they switched to the black rubber bumpers. Some have aged well, some haven't. I've seen quite a few people start to paint the bumpers to match the car lately. Several people that wanted a chrome car just because of the bumpers, have switched to painted bumper cars instead. There are other differences though, like ride-height, etc, but cosmetically the painted bumpers makes a huge difference in appearance.



Except for the low windscreen I wouldn't think 6'4 would be a big problem. The pedals in the MGB are set fairly well back, so you might want to modify the pedals if you wanted to drive one a lot - otherwise there's a ton of legroom in the car. I'm 5'11 and can stretch my legs out completely on the passenger side without pressing on the firewall.
 
mpauly said:
I've always wanted an MG with the chrome bumpers (a pre '76?), but alas my 6'4" body won't let me have one.



Michael
Click to expand...

are you sure? i'm 6'2" with a 34" inseam and i have an mgb project car. i've sat in it a few times and i fit pretty easily. i can even push the seat far back enough to make it comfortable.
 
admac said:
are you sure? i'm 6'2" with a 34" inseam and i have an mgb project car. i've sat in it a few times and i fit pretty easily. i can even push the seat far back enough to make it comfortable.
Click to expand...



I've been in a few MGB's and while they have enough legroom for me, the windshield height is the killer. My head nearly pops above it and the frame seems right in my line of sight.



Maybe someday when I have lots of money for a stable of cars, I'll pick one up to restore.



Michael
 
From one Zaino'd red car owner to another....



LOVE ZAINO ON RED! GREAT PREP WORK! WONDERFUL SHINE!



I too tried a topping (Souveran) but just liked the way Zaino looks on red.



See my SC430 below.



Regards,

Deanski
 
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