Looks like I'm not going to get the Wikinson campy clones this year.. Anybody ever had their original Campy Magnesium wheels chrome plated?
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Bill, it's not my field of expertise, but I don't believe you can plate magnesium castings in any way. I've only seen them painted.
George
George
I don't believe you can either. But they have been polished but with difficulty and if they aren't sealed they are a pain to maintain for a variety of reasons. I suppose you could clear powder coat them after that but I'm not sure about the effects of heating them.
From my experience no trustworthy shop would either plate or powder coat a mag wheel.
Because of the heat involved with powder coating, there is a risk that the process, softens or changes the metal increasing chances of failure. Wet painting is the only safe bet.
Mag is more flexable then alum so chroming poses other problems with the plating cracking and flaking. I cannot state if there would be chemical reactions via the plating process, but since mag is so unstable, it would be a questionable option.
If you are looking for a low cost rim, consider 2000 mustang rims. Same bolt pattern and clearance. Some offer rims as large as 17X10.5 widths for the rear. I run a pair. Not the lightest rim but common and reasonably in-expensive off e-bay.
Because of the heat involved with powder coating, there is a risk that the process, softens or changes the metal increasing chances of failure. Wet painting is the only safe bet.
Mag is more flexable then alum so chroming poses other problems with the plating cracking and flaking. I cannot state if there would be chemical reactions via the plating process, but since mag is so unstable, it would be a questionable option.
If you are looking for a low cost rim, consider 2000 mustang rims. Same bolt pattern and clearance. Some offer rims as large as 17X10.5 widths for the rear. I run a pair. Not the lightest rim but common and reasonably in-expensive off e-bay.
Go for the clones ... They are not cheap ,,, but they do look nice. Very happy with mine
quote:Originally posted by ROVERLTD:
From my experience no trustworthy shop would either plate or powder coat a mag wheel.
Because of the heat involved with powder coating, there is a risk that the process, softens or changes the metal increasing chances of failure. Wet painting is the only safe bet.
These wheels can be powdercoated well and safely. They even have the original Argent Silver color. There is a procedure that you need to go through, however, to have it work effectively and this procedure will actually help strengthen the wheels (heat treating removes the brittleness that builds up over time).
Jeff
6559
More than you wanted to know. A quick search of the mail list archives produced these articles.
Restoring Magnesium Campagnolo Wheels the Right Way
http://www.realbig.com/detomaso/2000-06/1205.html
Heat Treating Campy Wheels
http://www.realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2002-November/019476.html
http://www.realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2002-November/019587.html
Campy Refinishing
http://www.realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2002-May/013176.html
Stress Relieving Campys
http://www.realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2002-February/007575.html
Cheers!
Garth
Restoring Magnesium Campagnolo Wheels the Right Way
http://www.realbig.com/detomaso/2000-06/1205.html
Heat Treating Campy Wheels
http://www.realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2002-November/019476.html
http://www.realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2002-November/019587.html
Campy Refinishing
http://www.realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2002-May/013176.html
Stress Relieving Campys
http://www.realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2002-February/007575.html
Cheers!
Garth
Always has been and will always be a great looking wheel.
You guys know that i am a painter, Sounds like that might be the right thing for me. At this time............I just ordered new 17 campy clones from Wilkinson. You can't take it with you. I was going to get them eventually..might as well be NOW!