The Cal-look Lounge

As in the Title, looking for info on How to strip, repaint and polish original BRM's!!! I'm going to pick up a Set tomorrow and would like to know how to take care safely on them...!!! any help Info appreciated...!!!!

Frank

I have a similar job to do on a set set of Mag rims. Im going to very gently bead blast or possibly soda blast them then paint and polish after.

 ;D

What karl h says ;D  Kidding aside, if your wheels are growing hair, take them to someone who knows about polishing magnesium and have them done
rather then trying to do it yourself.  You'll have to pay money but you'll like the results way better.  Then, you can give them plenty of love on a weekly
basis unless you keep them bagged up.  If you decide to do it yourself, always remember that whatever amount of labor it takes to finish one wheel will
need to be multiplied by four and also, you'll have black fingers for the rest of your life.  I used to help with the Underdog and I remember using 0000
steel wool (the finest) followed by Brasso Metal Polish and loads of elbow grease.  Have FUN! ;)

frank ask Bill S. for advice ;)

You can lightly glass bead them, they don't have to be completely stripped, just knock off the loose paint & fuzz.  Polish them, if you take them to somebody make sure they know what they are & what they are supposed to look like, not somebody who is going to mow off all of the ribs & details. You can do it by hand... gonna take a while,  600 grit & 0000 steel wool. & Mothers polish. Wash off the compound with lacquer thinner & paint everywhere that is not polished, bead area ect.  Put bags over them while on the car, or if off the car bag them & close the bags up.
Have Fun  ;D

Check this site out. Some great info and some surprising stuff

http://stevekouracos.com/2012/04/25/aluminum-magnesium-wheel-restoration/

That's me not soda blasting mine then. Good read. Thanks.

I have know steve for a long time and he is a very good painter.

I have heard the Bergs did some good work on those ? :-)

Udo

Have any of you guys had your BRM's crack tested ?

I was very close to buying some magnesium motorsport wheels a while back but they hadn't been used for 20 years and the owner was very insistent that they were X rayed/crack tested before use.

I can't recall this being mentioned when you hear "I scored a set from the back of an old guys garage  :)

Just a thought
Darren

Can you ask him why soda blasting is no good for Mg wheels?

Think its something to do with micro porous corrosion  :P. Does it not contain sodium ?

Also heard not to rub with wire wool as tiny splinters are left embedded in the magnesium and the different types of metal react and corrode also.

Seems like a minefield. I have been looking into this for years and have not started restoring my wheels yet for fear of making worse.

The joys of a vintage rim  :D

I don't know about soda blasting, as I have never done that. But I have glass bead them & used steel wool for decades. Don't over think it.  It is just metal.

Bill, what grade wire wool do you use.  I'm over the precautionary measures.  The wheels will probably outlive me anyway ;-)

Love the Merckx quote!!

I use 0000 steel wool  dipped in just a touch of Mothers polish so it isnt so dry. If they are still pretty bright , just the Mothers. If you keep them up, they are pretty easy to take care of. Just dont get them wet or let them go too long.
 
As for Merckx, he has a few good quotes, that is my favorite though.
I am getting old now & I don't like to go as fast downhill as I used to. I would rather go up a hill than down.

Ha haaaaaaa!  Nice one. 🚴

Thanks for the tip on the wheels.  All the best.