Brightwork encompasses the chrome-plated exterior trim that defines the visual character of the TD and TF, more individual chrome items than any later MG. Restoring or maintaining it is a significant restoration element. This section groups body and door fittings, bonnet fixings and badges, bumpers and fixings, mirrors, radiator grilles and fixings, and boot racks.
The TD Brightwork Inventory
The TD's brightwork inventory is extensive: the upright chrome radiator case with twelve grille slats and dummy filler cap; free-standing headlamp bowls (chrome with "King of the Road" medallion) and rims; front and rear bumpers with overriders; three running board tread strips per side; door handles with gaskets; the windscreen frame; fuel tank end panels and straps; spare wheel hardware; bonnet centre strip, handles, lift-and-twist fasteners, and side mouldings; and the MG medallion on the radiator case. On standard TDs, radiator slats were painted to match the upholstery. Chrome slats were introduced on the Mark II from chassis TD/C/22613 (December 1952) and continued on all TFs. A standard TD with chrome slats is either a late Mark II or has been chromed during restoration.
The TF Brightwork Inventory
The TF retains most of these items but adds its own distinctive chrome, the raked radiator case with primed grille (typically body colour); external chrome filler cap; chrome MG medallion in the TF's black-and-white finish; four push-button bonnet locks (replacing the TD's lift-and-twist); bonnet edge trim; chrome headlamp brackets and rims; chrome plinths for the round rear lamps; "TF 1500" enamel medallions on the bonnet sides; and chrome fuel tank end panels. The TF standardised chrome radiator slats.
Headlamp Bowls and the "King of the Road" Medallion
The TD's free-standing headlamp bowls are catalogued in chrome (with "King of the Road" medallion) or painted (without). The chrome with medallion is the decorative period specification and the more common restoration choice; the painted alternative suits owners colour-matching to the body. TF headlamps are faired into the wings rather than free-standing, with chrome rims around the lamp openings.
Chrome Quality Standard
All chrome supplied by MGOC Spares complies with BS1224, the industry standard for automotive chromium plating, which specifies minimum copper, nickel, and chromium layer thicknesses for corrosion resistance and reflective finish. Budget chrome from non-certified sources looks identical when new but pits and flakes rapidly because the underlying nickel layer is too thin to resist moisture.
Chrome Maintenance and Preservation
Solvol Autochrome should be applied before fitting and reapplied regularly, the single most effective measure for preserving chrome. Wiping with a soft cloth soaked in Castrol DWF gives excellent winter corrosion protection. Once the chromium is breached, the underlying nickel oxidises rapidly, the familiar bubbling and flaking. Rust prevention applied behind the radiator case and inside the bumpers preserves the substrate.
Stainless Alternatives
Stainless steel alternatives are catalogued where chrome is most exposed, running board tread strips, boot racks, GB letter sets, badge bar clips, and number plate supports. They look subtly different from fresh chrome but resist winter and coastal corrosion much better.
Fuel Tank Brightwork (Rear of Car)
Fuel tank end panels are chrome-plated as standard on both models. Fuel tank straps come in primed (for body-colour painting) or chrome finishes, particularly visible beneath the spare wheel on a TD or behind the rear valance on a TF. Strap brackets (upper and lower) are catalogued individually: upper bracket chrome, lower bracket in primed or chrome.
Boot Racks
A chrome or stainless boot rack is one of the most popular and practical accessories, addressing the limited luggage space of a two-seat sports car. Different designs are catalogued for the TD (mounting to the spare wheel area) and the TF (mounting to the rear of the body).
Ordering Considerations
Most brightwork is model-specific between TD and TF, rear bumper blades, radiator cases, MG medallions, bonnet hardware, and rear-end fittings all differ. Front bumper blades, overriders, and seals are shared, as are door handles, windscreen frame components, and many smaller fittings. On a TD, chrome-vs-painted choices affect radiator slats, headlamp bowls, and fuel tank straps. On a TF, the main decision is the colour for the primed grille, typically body colour from the factory.