http://stevekouracos.com/resto...m-wheel-restoration/
Magnesium wheels need to be annealed to relieve the stresses they store up. Cooking them in the powder coat oven is actually beneficial. The only detriment is if they have not already been annealed before powder coating, the out-gassing of the magnesium may cause bubbles/craters in the powder coat finish.
I restored my wheels once following a process similar to Steve Kouracos, but used the correct zinc chromate primer from Aircraft Spruce. However, I was dissatisfied with the durability of the finish - might be fine for a seldom driven Dino that only sees an occasional car show, but I DRIVE my car!
Here's how to anneal your Campy wheels:
http://www.poca.com/detomaso/2000-06/1205.html
Anyway, as I mentioned I was dissatisfied with the durability of the Eastwood Argent Silver paint on my wheels, so I decided to powder coat them. You can see the results here:
http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/...081069456#4081069456
Powder coat is much more durable than traditional paints and seals the wheel against moisture.
And to answer your next question about color, here's some additional info.
The correct color
Ford TSB, Bulletin #11, Article 92.
Service Paint - Magnesium Wheels Color: Argent Silver
Ditzler Part No.: DX8555
HOWEVER, when I first restored my wheels, I couldn't find that paint from any local supplier - it's an obsolete number with no current cross reference. However, I've subsequently been told that the old Ditzler color code DX8555 cross references to a new color code: DAR33772 Silver Poly.
Note: The following info is from a Chrysler board as they use the same paint code for various parts. The Light Textured Argent, part number DX 8555, is obsolete. Medium Textured Argent, part number DNA 8933, can sometimes be found at larger, older Ditzler dealers. Last used in the mid 1970's, it is now all but obsolete. Older Ditzler dealers that have remaining stock can mix this paint for you, but it can also be mixed from currently available paints. Here's how...
LIGHT ARGENT TEXTURED
Ingredients for 1 pint (double for quart)
- 1/2 ounce DX 204 - Radiance Silver
- 1/2 ounce DDL 8568 - Non Smudge Aluminum/aluminum base
- 3 1/2 ounces DCA 468 High Performance Clear
- Add 4 ounces of top grade lacquer thinner with drying time according to temperature. Mix thoroughly and pour in 1 pint touch up gun. Use 10 clean 1/4" ball bearings in paint cup to keep the paint mixed. Use three light coats over an existing finish or four to six coats over unfinished parts. This paint runs VERY easily, allow 5-10 minutes between coats.
MEDIUM ARGENT TEXTURED
The steps are exactly as above, but add black lacquer to darken. Start with six drops per pint and stir thoroughly, then spray a sample to compare to the original finish. Add a drop at a time until you achieve the correct tint. Spray these paints at 55-60 lbs. keeping the gun 18-30 inches from the surface. Frequently agitate the mixture to maintain uniform consistency because the Radiance Silver is heavy and will settle out quickly. Also, Year One sells part #QP323, which is Chrysler rally wheel paint, and part #QP8575, which is the textured light argent silver paint used on Chrysler grilles and rally wheel center caps. Both are sold in quart cans.
Plastikote Spray Paint
A fellow club member used Plasti-Kote "1001 Bright Silver Metal" in an 11 oz. spray can and reports that it was a good match, and an economical option for repainting original Campys! The label on the can said "Plasti-Kote Body Shop Paint, for Painting Doors, Fenders, Hoods and Other Large Panels on Cars, Trucks & Vans". This paint seems to be very forgiving when it comes to runs and sags, and giving a run a little more spray seems to make it lay down smooth.
Technique: You need about 60 inches of 6 inch wide aluminum flashing - comes in a roll at your local home improvement store. Unroll the flashing and form a ring that just fits outside the wheel rim and snugly down onto the tire. The wheel needs to be off the car and laying flat on a piece of newspaper or cardboard to keep the floor or driveway from turning silver. Clamp the ring with a pair of vice grips to hold it to the correct diameter. Don1t worry about the flashing over lapping itself that usually helps it hold it's shape. Mask off the valve stem and spray away.
Note that Plasti-Kote also lists an Argent Silver (#621) on their website, but I have no idea if it's close to the color we need for Campys; it might be worth getting a can to test.
Eastwood Light Argent Silver
I used Eastwood's Argent Silver then coated with Eastwood semi-gloss clear to facilitate easy cleaning. My Campys looked perfect. Others have misted with Eastwood's Cad Silver between the Argent Silver and the semi-gloss clear for a "perfect" finish, but I found the light argent silver straight from the can looked pretty near perfect, especially when coated with Eastwood Diamond Clear (satin finish).
FWIW, I invested countless hours annealling the wheels and doing all the dirty work cleaning and stripping them, and spent about $200 on the stripper, Zinc Chromate Primer, Eastwood Silver Argent and Diamond Clear paint.
Cardinal Silver Metallic 30% Gloss Powder Coat
As I mentioned above, I was disappointed in the durability of the rattle can paint from Eastwood, even though it's a premium paint. I suppose it's easy enough to touch up, but I wanted a more durable solution which is why I powder coated my wheels.
The color I used was Silver Metallic 30% Gloss (T353-GR06) from Cardinal Paint and Powder. It's a pretty darn close match to the Eastwood Argent Silver (and the original color!), but I wouldn't say it's a "perfect" match. Although, close enough for me! Eastwood offers Argent Silver Powder paint, so theirs might be a perfect match.
The only drawback to powder coating in some opinions is that if applied too heavily you can get a "coated in plastic" look to the finish in areas of fine detail. In the "close up beauty shot" at the bottom of the first page of the powder coating thread you can see some of this effect around the cast "Campagnolo" name.