Aluminium/aluminum bonnet/hood

[trialanderror]

Hi all
Just to be transatlantic friendly and so that there is no mistranslation I have given a bilingual title to the post!
I bought an aluminium bonnet from Hardwicks, much nicer than the old steel one which didn't fit. I'm all set to paint it BUT the long pin that goes down the length of the piano hinges is mild steel.
I forsee 2 issues, the steel rusting and electrolytic corrosion of the aluminium hinge. Painting the inside of the holes on the bonnet side of the hinges will likely stop the rod from fitting and driving the rod back down the holes will no doubt take the paint off.
I think I will replace the steel rods with acetal plastic ones. They have a low friction surface and will be inert.
Am I being stupid or a genius, comments welcome.
Graham

[jeans_old_man]

Sounds like a plan! I assume the bonnet is to replace the original steel panels rather than the aluminium ones fitted to the’35 models (which had separate brass hinge). Stainless steel might be an alternative.

[mikeyr]

I think you are overthinking this but yes genius. There will be issues with the steel and aluminum but it will take decades to be a real issue. Unless you store the car in a very humid environment, just a little (very little coating) bit of grease on the steel rod will stop corrosion for a very long time, eventually having to redo the grease or the corrosion will start. But the opening and closing of the hood/bonnet will clean it up each time. Before plastic, I would go with Brian's suggestion of Brass myself.

[ColinB]

I need to check but I think MG T Types use brass rods for the side hinges even though the bonnets are steel. I have a couple in the barn so I could give you the diameter if that was useful.

[jeans_old_man]

Brass? No, the ‘35 has a separate brass hinge with silver steel rod. There are no side hinges as the bonnet is made from only two pieces.

I suspect brass rod will be an expensive option. Stainless steel will be cheaper. I think the diameter is 1/4”.

[ColinB]

I was only talking about the rod Brian not the form of the bonnet.

[jeans_old_man]

No problem Colin. I am not familiar with steel bonnets. I remember the one off my 1.5 Sports was very heavy when I sent it to Nigel for painting. Aluminium sounds like a great idea.

I bought a whole sheet of brass in the 1970s and don’t remember it being very expensive. However I was shocked to see how dear it is now.

[trialanderror]

Thanks all
Still weighing up the options,
Graham