Repair mag wheels?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: St. Marys OH
Repair mag wheels?
Bought my car with the original mag wheels. Both fronts have some curb rash on them from the previous owner. Nothing really bad, more or less just the powder coat, guess the driver's side does have a little more into the surface metal. Got some questions about this:
1. Can the wheels just be repowder coated?
2. Could they be repaired and then repowder coated to appear original?
2.1 If so would this cost more than just trying to find replacement mags in better shape?
2.2 Has anyone else had experience with this?
2.3 Does anyone know of a place that can do this work in the Western Ohio area?
Been looking at getting these repaired for a while, and now have the money to look into it. Thanks.
1. Can the wheels just be repowder coated?
2. Could they be repaired and then repowder coated to appear original?
2.1 If so would this cost more than just trying to find replacement mags in better shape?
2.2 Has anyone else had experience with this?
2.3 Does anyone know of a place that can do this work in the Western Ohio area?
Been looking at getting these repaired for a while, and now have the money to look into it. Thanks.
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
From: MA
Is that pewter?
I did the same thing this week. Bought a pewter coupe with mag wheels. I was going to get some chrome Z06 wheels to replace them but the more I look at the mags the more I like them. The color match is perfect.
I have the same problem. Some chips and curb rash. My approach will be to clean out the chips and rash and use bondo as a filler. It should bond with the magnesium. Might take two applications to get perfect as there will be some shrinkage. Then prime, paint, and clearcoat.
I have the same problem. Some chips and curb rash. My approach will be to clean out the chips and rash and use bondo as a filler. It should bond with the magnesium. Might take two applications to get perfect as there will be some shrinkage. Then prime, paint, and clearcoat.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 234
From: SW Nuh Hampsha
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
The magnesium wheels (N73) were originally painted, which is why they chip so easily. Yes, they can be powder coated as I've just had mine done. They will be much more resilient than the original paint, and you can make them any color you want. 
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Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
From: MA
Its the magnesium that chips. Its more brittle than aluminum. In fact, and I'm no metallurgist, I would think its cast instead of machined. I would take the painting route because its easier and small chips may be touched up instead of dismounting the tire and painting the whole wheel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 234
From: SW Nuh Hampsha
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
Well, it sounds like your powder coater needs to talk to mine. The coating itself isn't the difficult part, but what is is the stripping of the original primer. According to my guy, the primer is a very tough material and takes a lot of time to strip. Here's his number if you want to know from someone who's done it: Noah 603-355-3901 (NH)
And here's the proof:
And here's the proof:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: St. Marys OH
I did the same thing this week. Bought a pewter coupe with mag wheels. I was going to get some chrome Z06 wheels to replace them but the more I look at the mags the more I like them. The color match is perfect.
I have the same problem. Some chips and curb rash. My approach will be to clean out the chips and rash and use bondo as a filler. It should bond with the magnesium. Might take two applications to get perfect as there will be some shrinkage. Then prime, paint, and clearcoat.
I have the same problem. Some chips and curb rash. My approach will be to clean out the chips and rash and use bondo as a filler. It should bond with the magnesium. Might take two applications to get perfect as there will be some shrinkage. Then prime, paint, and clearcoat.
Just curious what kind of primer and clearcoat you're looking at using? Have never tried repairing a real paint job, (just spray painting POS old cars
) so I can use all the info I can get.
