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Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2019 10:50 am
by MiniGuy
I'm looking to put my 1967 mk1 back on the road. I'm waiting on a guy who is doing the welding getting back to me with a list of what I need.

In the meantime I was looking to sort out the shiny bits.

Can anyone recommend someone to rechrome the grille? I was thinking of doing the same with the moustache but I assume it would probably be cheaper to buy a new one? Where would be the best place to buy a new moustache and the bumpers with over riders and corner bars?

Also, are m-machine own brand panels ok?

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2019 12:07 pm
by WMU 211G
Minispares would be the best place to buy them new, not sure the grille can be chromed as the slats are stainless steel I think ;)

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2019 12:08 pm
by mk1
Glad to hear that the project is starting.

Can anyone recommend someone to rechrome the grille?
Totally dependent on where abouts you are.


I was thinking of doing the same with the moustache but I assume it would probably be cheaper to buy a new one?
Yes it would be cheaper to buy new, but the old ones fit better if yours is in good condition it's probably worth re chroming.


Where would be the best place to buy a new moustache and the bumpers with over riders and corner bars?
Minispares https://www.minispares.com/

Also, are m-machine own brand panels ok?
Very good, better than Heritage in general.

Always happy to answer questions, but it may be worth you also trying the search facility as some of the above are regularly asked queries.

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2019 12:09 pm
by mk1
A MK1 Morris Grille is stamped out & can be re-chromed.

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2019 12:56 pm
by MiniGuy
Thanks for the replies. I'm in Northern Ireland but happy enough to ship grille over.

The mini hasn't had an mot since 2009 so would be great to get it going again. It's sitting in a very sorry state at the minute. It all boils down to money (or lack of it :lol: ).

My son is coming 6 this year and he wants it out of the shed and to go to some mini shows and so do I!

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2019 6:19 pm
by Daz1968
I have a mk1 Morris and have tried to obtain quotes to get the grill rechromed and I was ripped off by one company as they stripped my grill then returned and said they wouldn’t do it, they are difficult to do due to polishing the slats, I have been given estimates of £600 plus vat, so I had mine done in chrome powder coat, not perfect but after it was stripped I was left with no choice,

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2019 7:59 pm
by MiniGuy
I got a quote of £300 plus vat.

Do you have pictures of the chrome powder coating?

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2019 8:33 pm
by Nick W
Ive seen this paint and it did look quite good....but hard to get in the UK

https://youtu.be/KBtdU10PIcE

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2019 9:53 pm
by Daz1968
£300 is very cheap, I have been quoted £480 for a clean bumper, but for reference here is mine chrome powder coated, although I have found a better finish to have put on now so will have it done again in the near future, mainly because I am not happy with the finish on this one, the supplier conned me as I don’t think it was blasted properly as some rust has shown after a couple of years. One reason I don’t trust many jobs to be done by professionals, I can’t seem to find any good ones.


Image0CBB2166-0C4D-4E13-AC2D-C374708C1D94 by darren carr, on Flickr

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2019 8:35 am
by mk1
Well for once, I am pretty much speechless!

I always assumed that chrome paint was total crap, but the stuff in Nick's video looks amazing, as does the grille above.

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2019 9:04 am
by Nick W
mk1 wrote:Well for once, I am pretty much speechless!

I always assumed that chrome paint was total crap, but the stuff in Nick's video looks amazing, as does the grille above.
one issue I was told, was its not durable unless 2k laquered...which probably makes it look less authentic if done.

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2019 9:32 am
by goff
mk1 wrote:Well for once, I am pretty much speechless!

I always assumed that chrome paint was total crap, but the stuff in Nick's video looks amazing, as does the grille above.
I am aswell Mark , because Daz1968 as got my name on his car :lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2019 8:59 am
by MiniGuy
That is interesting about the paint.

I have 2 grilles, my own and one I bought last year but both really need sorted. I was watching one on ebay that looked good from the front so I thought it would do to get me on the road but it made £140!

I was talking to a guy almost 3 years ago who was selling a grille but we never got round to sorting a price so I messaged him again on the off chance he still had it. He has and we've agreed a price. If it's as clean as it looks in the photos then it will do until I get mine sorted properly.

My wife thinks I'm mad - she may be right :lol:

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 10:47 am
by MiniGuy
I decided to try and start my mini this weekend and this is what greeted me after 2 years or so of being parked up!

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 12:31 pm
by Mini Mad Swede
Mice is nice :roll:
Looks like a HS4 carb, is it an automatic?

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 12:54 pm
by MiniGuy
Mini Mad Swede wrote:Mice is nice :roll:
Looks like a HS4 carb, is it an automatic?
It is indeed! I know nothing about engines so I'm impressed :D

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 1:35 pm
by bmcman.ie
i would hate to see the size of that mouse with nuts that large! :lol:

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 9:27 pm
by TRP
Is there any possibility that any of that nest made it's way into the valve cover or carb air cleaner?

I totally gagged when I saw that image. :cry:

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 10:19 pm
by Mini Mad Swede
MiniGuy wrote:It is indeed! I know nothing about engines so I'm impressed :D
So you're basically saying you're an It-technischian :lol:

(Cant schpell that tech-word properly)

Re: Getting my mk1 back on the road - rechrome morris grille

Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2019 8:58 am
by MiniGuy
Mini Mad Swede wrote:
MiniGuy wrote:It is indeed! I know nothing about engines so I'm impressed :D
So you're basically saying you're an It-technischian :lol:

(Cant schpell that tech-word properly)
ssshhhhh don't tell everyone :geek: