Restoring painted magnesium
Discussion
I restored my magnessium Minilites by hand about 20 years ago, but getting rid of the oxidation build up with various rotary drill sandings wire brushes and sanding wheels, and then aerosol sprayed with smooth Hammerite. They looked really good........for about 12 months until they picked up a few chips etc., and the oxidisation started again. The Hammerite just wasn't agood enough finish.
Only way was to start again, and strip the wheels of the old paint, and then have them bead blasted and stove enamelled.
Only way was to start again, and strip the wheels of the old paint, and then have them bead blasted and stove enamelled.
I think it's also been written up on there...Terry did a post recently too.philworrall said:
How long is it since you did this last process?
Has there been any further corrosion at all?
Sorry, I no longer have the car/wheels, and haven't for a long time. They were lasting a lot longer than the hand painted method though when I sold it.Has there been any further corrosion at all?
philworrall said:
Did you put any special coat on the magnesium before enamelling?
It was a long time ago, but I don't think they did, but can't be sure TBH.I think you can have magnesium crack tested - I did on some old centres of mine to make sure they were sound. If the wheels are old (which I suspect these are) it'd be worth having this done.
The problem with magnesium is that it's porous and doesn't like taking on water. Which is why you have to be careful with the prep. if the metal shows, you have to have it sealed before painting.
Terry/Al/Dave etc will know more specifics in how to actually do it - I always just pay to get mine done
The problem with magnesium is that it's porous and doesn't like taking on water. Which is why you have to be careful with the prep. if the metal shows, you have to have it sealed before painting.
Terry/Al/Dave etc will know more specifics in how to actually do it - I always just pay to get mine done
Hi, worth speaking to John at JP Polishing on 01268 680245 (canvey island). He's a one man band, specialises in powder coating wheels and uses the correct acids to strip. You have to be careful with mags as you know, if they leave them overnight in acid they won't be there in the morning. I too would recommend crack testing.
You may well be right with the crack testing but for now I am trying to find if anyone else has experience of a process, coating or surface finish that guarantees (as best as can be) that the magnesium oxidation has been sealed and no further corrosion will take place under the paint.
Hi Phil,
owning a powder coating business I tend to avoid getting involved with wheels as they can be such a pain. (hence J P Polishing). That said we powder coated 24 wheels in eggshell black last year as I could not say no to a mate. He had all the wheels crack tested first, we masked the centres and backs, centre lock wheels for a Porsche 962, the last racing 962 prepared by Joest. Another example although my business partners car. An LP400S Countach. We had the wheels stripped, we new they where porous and still running the original P7's badly cracked of course. We put two coats of powder on them which sealed them and Gary then had them painted the correct shade of silver afterwards. If you are in trouble then I'll gladly help out. Can't leave a PH buddy in the lurch.
owning a powder coating business I tend to avoid getting involved with wheels as they can be such a pain. (hence J P Polishing). That said we powder coated 24 wheels in eggshell black last year as I could not say no to a mate. He had all the wheels crack tested first, we masked the centres and backs, centre lock wheels for a Porsche 962, the last racing 962 prepared by Joest. Another example although my business partners car. An LP400S Countach. We had the wheels stripped, we new they where porous and still running the original P7's badly cracked of course. We put two coats of powder on them which sealed them and Gary then had them painted the correct shade of silver afterwards. If you are in trouble then I'll gladly help out. Can't leave a PH buddy in the lurch.
If it's Testarossa wheels your doing then powder coating maybe the way to go (if you can find somebody to do it, as per Greame's post its a PITA) I've done them in conjunction with North West Enamel and while it takes a bit of messing round to get it right the process has been:
1. strip original coating off wheel,
2. bead blast
3. remove corrosion with dremmel / sander
4. heat wheels up in powder coating oven, then leave to cool
5. repeat above as required
6. powder coat
Due to the messing about the cost from the powder coaters was about 75% more than normal, but given the cost of a new set of wheels and the potential risk of the inner parts of the wheels failing due to rot, it's all well worth it
ETA, pic of the mess Ferrari Mag wheels get into when not looked after . . . . The car these were from not only had an MOT but the previous owner was using it to ferry his kids to and from school in!
1. strip original coating off wheel,
2. bead blast
3. remove corrosion with dremmel / sander
4. heat wheels up in powder coating oven, then leave to cool
5. repeat above as required
6. powder coat
Due to the messing about the cost from the powder coaters was about 75% more than normal, but given the cost of a new set of wheels and the potential risk of the inner parts of the wheels failing due to rot, it's all well worth it
ETA, pic of the mess Ferrari Mag wheels get into when not looked after . . . . The car these were from not only had an MOT but the previous owner was using it to ferry his kids to and from school in!
Edited by AndrewW-G on Thursday 20th August 11:30
graeme36s said:
Hi Phil,
owning a powder coating business I tend to avoid getting involved with wheels as they can be such a pain. (hence J P Polishing). That said we powder coated 24 wheels in eggshell black last year as I could not say no to a mate. He had all the wheels crack tested first, we masked the centres and backs, centre lock wheels for a Porsche 962, the last racing 962 prepared by Joest. Another example although my business partners car. An LP400S Countach. We had the wheels stripped, we new they where porous and still running the original P7's badly cracked of course. We put two coats of powder on them which sealed them and Gary then had them painted the correct shade of silver afterwards. If you are in trouble then I'll gladly help out. Can't leave a PH buddy in the lurch.
Hi Graeme,owning a powder coating business I tend to avoid getting involved with wheels as they can be such a pain. (hence J P Polishing). That said we powder coated 24 wheels in eggshell black last year as I could not say no to a mate. He had all the wheels crack tested first, we masked the centres and backs, centre lock wheels for a Porsche 962, the last racing 962 prepared by Joest. Another example although my business partners car. An LP400S Countach. We had the wheels stripped, we new they where porous and still running the original P7's badly cracked of course. We put two coats of powder on them which sealed them and Gary then had them painted the correct shade of silver afterwards. If you are in trouble then I'll gladly help out. Can't leave a PH buddy in the lurch.
by stripping do you mean bead blasting or acid dip?
Have the wheels that you did last year stood the test of time? As my car spends most of the time in the garage it is not subjected to salty road conditions so it is difficult to compare.
I would be interested to know what you can do for me
Phil
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