Black CGT Wheels and Refinishing
09-10-2013 | 01:09 AM
#1
Black CGT Wheels and Refinishing
The wheels on my CGT were expertly powder coated satin black when the car was virtually new. After giving it some thought, I've decided to return the wheels to the factory silver. Just wondered if anyone here has any experience with wheel refinishing. Where can I get the paint code for the wheels? Would it be best to use a local high end paint shop or ship the wheels out to a wheel specialist? Any special procedures for magnesium?
In the alternative, I would be interested in trading these wheels for a set of undamaged silver wheels if anyone is interested in switching to black. I might be persuaded to throw in a brand new set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports
In the alternative, I would be interested in trading these wheels for a set of undamaged silver wheels if anyone is interested in switching to black. I might be persuaded to throw in a brand new set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports
09-11-2013 | 03:02 AM
#2
AutoX
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Be sure to use a wheel specialist who has experience with magnesium wheels and NOT just a paint shop!
Magnesium wheels are tough to refinish because heating the wheel can cause the magnesium to expel gas and damage the paint. Here's the technique for refinishing magnesium wheels. You can check with your wheel specialist to make sure that they follow a similar process
The paint needs to be removed by media blasting and chemical stripping, and they need to be very careful because the magnesium can be damaged by the media blasting. Chemical stripping is the primary way that old paint is removed.
In order to prepare the wheel for paint they'll have to heat the wheel to release any gassing that could take place after the paint is on. After the wheel cools they'll have to prime it using a primer that adheres well to the magnesium and seals the porous magnesium. Then the primer is sanded and is ready for paint.
After this the color coat is applied and cured under heat lamps and then the clear coat is applied and baked for ~20 minutes in the oven and left to cool down slowly
Good luck with the wheels. Please post before/ after photos!
I'm not interested in trading wheels, but would consider trading seats if you have standard seats. I have XL seats in excellent condition and they are a bit wider than I would like.
Best,
Bayan
Magnesium wheels are tough to refinish because heating the wheel can cause the magnesium to expel gas and damage the paint. Here's the technique for refinishing magnesium wheels. You can check with your wheel specialist to make sure that they follow a similar process
The paint needs to be removed by media blasting and chemical stripping, and they need to be very careful because the magnesium can be damaged by the media blasting. Chemical stripping is the primary way that old paint is removed.
In order to prepare the wheel for paint they'll have to heat the wheel to release any gassing that could take place after the paint is on. After the wheel cools they'll have to prime it using a primer that adheres well to the magnesium and seals the porous magnesium. Then the primer is sanded and is ready for paint.
After this the color coat is applied and cured under heat lamps and then the clear coat is applied and baked for ~20 minutes in the oven and left to cool down slowly
Good luck with the wheels. Please post before/ after photos!
I'm not interested in trading wheels, but would consider trading seats if you have standard seats. I have XL seats in excellent condition and they are a bit wider than I would like.
Best,
Bayan
09-11-2013 | 11:26 AM
#3
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
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Mitty, this can and has been done well - Bayan raises key issues. A service manager once told me the (sole) supplier of the OEM silver is "difficult to deal with" for the low volume required for a single set of wheels. However, a top-end shop can match the OEM so as to be indiscernible to all but the forensic eye.
