Reply to "What Color for Mangusta Wheels"

> Here is info on process to refinish magnesium wheels. Only surprising thing with yours is I did not notice if they were porous on the inboard side!

Stolen from a post on Fchat

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> I am in the process as we speak of refinishing a set of vintage magnesium Cromodoras, albeit not for a Dino.
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> Here's what I am doing, and have done for several similar magnesium wheel sets in years past, with outstanding long term results:
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> 1) Get wheels down to bare metal, I prefer soda blasting.
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> 2) Immediately (and I mean within hours) treat the bare mag wheel with a metal stabilizer. I used to use Magna-Dyne for this as it was magnesium-specific, but it's been discontinued. Next best substitute that I could find and have used for this recent wheel set is Pre-Kote.
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> 3) Multiple light aerosol rattle can coats of a yellow zinc chromate primer, one light coat per day to allow for ample drying time. MUST be zinc chromate, accept no substitutes. Aircraft Spruce sells both the Pre-Kote and the zinc chromate primer, both are easy to find and inexpensive.
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> 4) Finish coat to suit. I use Eastwood silver enamel wheel paints.
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> I've been doing this work for -years- and have had -NO- problems with corrosion beneath the paint or any similar long term deterioration / stability issues.
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> While you do need to follow specific steps, refinishing magnesium wheels is an easy DIY project.
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> ****Mag wheels can be very porus at the rim but the porosity can be sealed with PPG Deltron DPLF Epoxy primer DP401LF and DP402LF. The preferred paint selection info was given to me by the local helicopter service shop.
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> SURFACE TREATMENT FOR MAGNESIUM AND ALUMINUM
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> 1. Remove all WD40, etc., with lacquer thinner.
> 2. Apply paint remover, let soak, and remove with plastic scrapers.
> 3. Rinse thoroughly.
> 4. Wear rubber gloves.
> 5. Mix Alumiprep 33 (1 part Alumiprep to 5 parts water for light oxidation, I part Alumiprep to 2 to 3 parts water for heavy oxidation).
> 6. Brush the Alumiprep solution on the magnesium or aluminum item, scrubbing oxidized parts with synthetic abrasive. DO NOT ALLOW TO DRY.
> 7. Rinse thoroughly until water sheets and does not bead.
> 8. While surface still wet, apply Alodine 1201 with a brush. DO NOT ALLOW TO DRY. About 2 to 5 minutes treatment time. Surface should turn gold.
> 9. Rinse thoroughly with cold water until water sheets and does not bead.
> 10. Follow with a warm water rinse (not over 140O F).
> 11. Let dry for 24 hours. Handle carefully at this stage.
> 12. Paint when dry.
> Note: Small aluminum parts can be dipped in Alodine + 2 parts water for treatment