Polish magnesium wheels???
Hey guys,
Newbie here, with lots of newbie questions. Sorry in advance.
Trying to clean up an 80s Indy car. The wheels are a darkish gray and I assume they are magnesium. They really need to be brightened up. Can they be polished to a reasonably high luster? I just don't know if this can be done to magnesium.
And, can these Goodyear tires still be purchased. I've seen Avon on a bunch of cars lately?
thanks!
I have polished mags on my FC so I go through this all the time,
For heavily corroded rims, start with red rubbing compound and a set of small fairly hard set of buffs and a fast electric motor.
move up to white rubbing compound.
and a softer buff and a die grinder for power.
then hand finish with mothers, then blue magic and a layer of carnuba for longevity
I guess I'm not sure, but I didn't assume these were corroded, just a very rough natural surface that is dark gray. The level of roughness makes it seem like that first step of polishing would have to be very aggressive. Probably something I'd let a shop do, but, it sounds like you're saying that magnesium doesn't always have to look dark gray, and that in fact it can brighten up quite a bit with some work?
What you are describing is probably the grey conversion coating that's put on a lot of mag stuff.
I assumed the wheels were previously polished and just corroded - polished mag will turn dark grey/black just from humidity.
Penske always polished his wheels, and they look real nice when it's done.
Mag wheels
We first wet sanded the rim section on the Dymags for the Ralt, then polished (with Autosol polish). Once you have the rim polished to the degreee you like, give them a little attention about every six months or so, and that will keep you from having to start the whole process all over again at a much later date.
Wet sand with 600 grit or if really bad use 400 then polish away. It might take a couple sessions with the polish, but each time you do it will look better.
God is my pilot, I'm just the loose nut behind the wheel !
Ok guys, thanks, that was very helpful. I do think I understand what's going on better now. And I think you all are right that this is just the natural process for these, as they've been sitting for at least twenty years. Rick, they are wheels from a Penske car, and yes I see the photos where they look beautifully bright.
Holy crap....I took some 600 paper and steel wool and attacked one of the wheels as a test. Within a half hour it was 95% there. All the gray is gone and it just needs some fine polish for luster which I don't even care about right now, since this is totally presentable during my restoration.
So let me ask this, and since I can't see threads under the wheel nuts, are either side reserved?
Thanks again....get used to me asking a litiney of questions coming!
do you mean LH threads for one side and RH for the other? I'd make a separate post with the year and type of car. There are enough people on the site that either have owned one, prepped one, or was a pit crew member on one, to give you an answer.
Opposite threaded axles were popular on F3 and FSV cars, don't know about the Indy cars.
OK thanks....
polish polish polish, i thought he meant Polish
polish?
We use Go-Joe on that type of wheel for yrs.. great results! Our technique is key...& top secret!
give it a try!
I was expecting info on magnesium wheels made in Poland...Originally Posted by provamo
"You GO Now"
Rick
Forget everything else. Just get some Autosol and a buffing pad for your drill and you will be rather amazed at the results - and how damned fast it goes.
Just don't ever get them wet. That kills the shine instantly.
Waxing is probably OK for vintage, but don't count on being able to dye penetrant inspect them afterward.
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