Mk1 quarterlight refurb

Over time, the chrome on quarterlights can start to look dull and worn with rust showing through. Replacement frames, hinges and catches are no longer available as new spares so, unless you can find some new-old-stock parts, the only option is to refurbish your old window frames. Mini specialists can do this for you but, if you fancy having a go yourself, read on.

There were three types of opening rear quarterlight windows fitted to Mk1 Minis. Two mild steel chromed versions with a piano hinge and finally, believed to be fitted from August 1967, a later stainless-steel version with sprung clasps.

Here we will show you how to strip and refurbish the two types of chromed mild steel versions as these suffer the most from corrosion and tarnishing.

Mk1 Mini saloons feature two slightly different types of chromed quarterlight frames that both have piano hinges fitting to the B-posts with toggle catches on the C-pillar. Early cars had ‘handed’ frames, with a bulge on the inside