Real Magnesium Wheels - Polishing

vegan2

New member
I have real mag wheels on my car - they are a little on the old side with some pitting. Are there any products out there that really work well with magnesium? Is there anything spefically that can be done relating to pitting?



Any input would be appreciated.
 
vegan2, I think your post may have been "lost in the shuffle" because you posted it in the Member Polls thread. I've now moved it where it belongs, and hope you'll get more useful tips.



I'm no expert on mag wheels, but would offer this.



I don't think any cleaner/polish will work for pitted wheels.



I've had good results with Mother's Mag/Aluminum Polish for well-maintained wheels.



Once the wheels look good, I've had good experience with Zaino Z2 and Klasse's AIO/SG.



FWIW
 
Magnesium is the most difficult alloy to maintain. It oxidizes from exposure to oxygen!



I'd suggest you use a good metal polish, and use it frequently (weekly, if possible).



The longer your interval between polishings, the more difficult it will be.



The only thing I've ever seen that worked to prevent magnesium from oxidizing is Vaseline. Of course, the wheel looked awful and everything stuck to it.



I'd recommend you not put any sort of paint protection product on the magnesium. Keep it away from salt on the roads, too - it'll pit easily and quickly.



The only thing that can be done for pitting is lots of polishing. Don't use a machine to do it, magnesium burns white hot if it gets too hot.
 
Thanks for the replies. It looks like real mag wheels will be a chore, but there is sufficient history attached to these that it will be worth the effort.
 
forrest said:
I'd kill for a set of real magnesium wheels for my MINI.




Mine were purchased with the car (1965 Corba) with the wheels probably made in the 60's. Magnesium looks great, but you have to be into keeping them looking that way - I am, so life is good.
 
Griot's Garage sells a mag wheel polish. Griot says he used it with his polishing cones on Magnesium Formula One wheels with great success...
 
Ugh, I've nothing but negative things about this type of alloy expect for the weight. Chevrolet offers them on their Corvettes but it's over 2,000.00. I heard they can "flake" (probaly the pitting issue) and they are warped very easily from road hazards.
 
milani said:
Griot's Garage sells a mag wheel polish. Griot says he used it with his polishing cones on Magnesium Formula One wheels with great success...



Thanks - I went over to his garage and ordered some.
 
joed1228 said:
Ugh, I've nothing but negative things about this type of alloy expect for the weight.



You have a good point, but they go so well with the car that I'm going to deal with them as best as can be done. Someone painted the center of each wheel (black) and it looks OK (re-painted), so it's just the sides that need attention. They are knock-off wheels so that also makes them special, to me at least.
 
Have you ever thought of getting rims that are painted gun metal or dark grey? They'd look the same but cost alot less (even new I bet they would be less expensive) and be easier to maintain.



Just a thought ... :nixweiss
 
If they are magnesium, they wont get a really great shine to them..like polished aluminum. You can clean them and remove oxidation, but thats about it.



Reason being...magnesium is a white metal
 
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