Hmmm. Seems like I send this message every year.
A racing friend of mine is a metallurgist who used to investigate
airplane engine failures for GE and is now working for a QC company. He
is adamant that 60s era mag wheels should be used for show - not go.
Reasoning:
1. Poor quality (esp voids) of much of the 60s magnesium castings.
2. Susceptibility to corrosion, most of which will be hidden.
3. Unknown history means unable to determine how much stress they have
undergone - and they can undergo only so much.
4. They were never intended for the stress of modern tire compounds.
His advice: buy new (like repros) for race, show with the old mags.
I trust his advice - and I've written off a carcaused by metal fatigue.
Jim
Daniel Thompson wrote:
>
> I believe that this question has been discussed before so I apologize for
> not taking notes at that time.
>
> I have just purchased a set of period (60's) magnesium wheels for my Bugeye
> Sprite. They are a very handsome design and are in excellent condition. My
> question concerns the finish on these wheels. They are what appears to be
> raw magnesium, the surface is rough to the touch, kinda like 100 grit
> sandpaper. The natural color is black, like charcoal. The wheels are in
> great shape with practically no dings or scratches and appear to be solid
> as a rock structurally.
>
> I would like to know two things: what type of maintenance/cleaning is
> required for this type of wheel and, can the surface be painted? If it can
> be painted, what would be the preparation for paint? Will the paint "stick"
> or come off over time?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Daniel Thompson
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