Magnesium wheels

[Rex T.]

I have a set of 15 X 6 American Racing Torque Thrust D-spoke wheels, real magnesium, that need some serious cleaning. Naturally, they are very dark so I would like to polish the outer rim portion of the wheel. I am open to suggestions as to the best and most eficient way to do this without damaging the wheels, and how to maintain that shiny finish. Thanks in advance for your help. Rex #8089

[Gerry Proctor]

Re: Magnesium wheels

You polish magnesium the same way that you do aluminum. If you have the buffers it's much easier but otherwise you're going to end up with super kung-fu grip from hand polishing.

Magnesium is just about impossible to keep from oxidizing because it is porous and oxidizes very quickly. This makes it a supurb metal in a corrosive atmosphere where looks aren't important. You can keep the surface somewhat clean by clear coating the rims but that changes the appearance to look like something a bit off from polished magnesium. What you're probably going to discover is that by about the time you think you've got them polished, you'll already see them starting to oxidize before your very eyes.

[Dave Suesz]

Just a though, but...

Don't magnesium wheels weaken or become brittle with age? My metallurgy classes were a long time ago, but I would look into this before actually using them.

[James G.]

You are correct Dave!!

Be very carful Rex. Real mag wheels get very weak from age. The old racers of the Grand Sports and SR-2's are using the repo Halibrands made by PS Engineering and others for this very reason. The original mags look great for show, but definately get them x-rayed (Magged) before you drive on them.The real mags always gave us trouble even when they were new.

If you look at the early days of SEMA, they originally got going putting their seal of approval on aftermarket wheels. It was for safety