removing crappy clearcoat from magnesium wheels| Grassroots Motorsports forum |

AngryCorvair GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/16/12 4:40 p.m.

two questions in one:

what's the safest way to remove rattle-can clear coat from magnesium wheels? it's already flaking in several areas, but seems to be adhering pretty well in others.

what's the safest way to remove oxidation from same magnesium wheels?

Stefan GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/16/12 7:07 p.m.

shotgun?

carguy123 UltimaDork
4/16/12 7:10 p.m.

And along those same lines won't ruin the aluminium factory rims I want to remove clearcoat from.

ddavidv PowerDork
4/16/12 7:18 p.m.

EZ-Off oven cleaner? I've used it to remove paint from plastic models.

Dr. Hess MegaDork
4/16/12 7:19 p.m.

Aircraft stripper.

noddaz GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
4/16/12 7:25 p.m.

It sounds scary to try EZ-Off or Aircraft paint stripper... Are either of those magnesium safe? Might want to test it on the back side first... Or maybe have the wheels soda blasted...

BoxheadTim GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/16/12 7:28 p.m.

Dr. Hess wrote: Aircraft stripper.

I suddenly find myself somewhat reluctant to Google for those keywords.

AngryCorvair GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/16/12 7:38 p.m.

BoxheadTim wrote:
Dr. Hess wrote: Aircraft stripper.
I suddenly find myself sporting a boner as I Google for those keywords.

ftfy

Dr. Hess MegaDork
4/16/12 9:08 p.m.

I've used it to strip the clear off of Harley parts, like rocker boxes, etc. Works great.

mad_machine GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/16/12 9:16 p.m.

BoxheadTim wrote:
Dr. Hess wrote: Aircraft stripper.
I suddenly find myself somewhat reluctant to Google for those keywords.

surprisingly, Google returned all Worke safe images.

Personally, I would use lots of elbow grease and ever finer sandpaper

Flogger00 New Reader
4/17/12 3:35 a.m.

In reply to AngryCorvair:

Dawn Power Dissolver is probably the mildest chemical that stands a chance. I'd still test it on the back side of the wheel, especially if it's real mag. If necessary, bagging it and using a lot of dwell time especially helps this stuff do it's magic. Otherwise I'd be extra careful of harsher chemicals and be prepared to step over to soda blasting early in the testing process.

HTH

AngryCorvair GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/17/12 8:17 a.m.

In reply to Flogger00:

thanks for the info. yep, they're real magnesium.

Flogger00 New Reader
4/17/12 10:46 a.m.

Interesting wheels, and an odd project. Here's a much more relevant link than my previous comment.

http://mb-racingwheels.com/magnesium_protection.htm

Good luck.

benzbaronDaryn SuperDork
4/17/12 12:04 p.m.

Those are cool. I think hitting them with oxy/acetylene then spraying them with water could clean them up!

foxtrapper UltimaDork
4/17/12 12:53 p.m.

Two links that might help with regards to cleaning up magnesium parts:

http://www.vsrnonline.com/Vsrn_104/CleaningMagParts.html

and

http://www.electricdreams.com/Slot-Car-Collecting-and-Racing-News/vintage-slot-car-news/how-to-clean-your-vintage-magnesium-parts/

nocones GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/17/12 1:09 p.m.

I would use fire with lots of water once they start to burn. Should be no-clear left when you are done.

Seriously I think everyone else has go the idea. You could try that Citrius paint remover stuff. It's milder than the aircraft stripper (funny story the airport in Waussau wisconsin has 1 restaurant right near by and it's called the Landing Strip and has one of those erotic neon signs... Never been heard it's nice tho (RossD in 5.. 4..))

Matthew Huizing Reader
4/17/12 4:04 p.m.

BMW seems to like Magnesium. I used BIX Original Varnish and Stain Stripper on my magnesium valve cover, and it turned out alright. Not exactly fast acting though.