Wheel Color

bmwdb10 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 06:00 AM

Like Jeff said...... "Old school look"! Just tried one to see how it looks.

mickmate · #2 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 06:50 AM

It sure gives the look, so you likey??

Danr55 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 07:00 AM

How did you color it?

bmwdb10 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 08:08 AM

I like the look.... I think!

The white centers, although giving it the FIA look, were to me just too "pretty". I have been striving for the vintage magnesium look and finally found this color. Think I'll do them all. This one is masked off with painters tape and painted over just to get the feel for how it will look. (THANKS JEFF!!!!!)

Dan, I don't recall the name or the color, but it is natural cast look and high heat for engine parts. Also oil and brake fluid resistant. Sprays easily and completely flat. Sure it will look more like corroded Mag when it gets dinged up and dirty. Will get a part# to you tonight if you are interested.

Hey Nick, You should check out the tank while I'm in the air!

mickmate · #5 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 09:52 AM

Good thinking, let me see what I can do.

Danr55 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 09:54 AM

Dave, Please do. I'd like to know what color and who the manufacturer is.
thanks,

1985 CCX · #7 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 05:07 PM

I like that old school look alot! I say geter dun.......

I am partial to this angle, fantastic!

bmwdb10 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 06:50 PM

Okay guys... the paint is from plasti-kote. Color is "Rebuilders Cast Finish" 500 degree coating, resists oil, break fluid and gas. Just came in from the garage, figured I would scotch-brite off the the polished part and pull the tape... got to have it ready for breakfast Saturday... much to my pleasent surprise, it doesn't come off very well. What mean is that it lightly scuffed through to give it an even more antiqued look. Just a few light spots that show through. Looks even better. Jeff; I'll leave it on so you can see it on Sat. Will post some pics when I have a chance to finish it up. All I need now is some bill-boards or hooziers!

1985 CCX · #9 (**permalink**) 10-28-2007, 06:23 AM

I wanted to add to Dave's initial tread versus starting a new one:

Another look that I really like is the Magnesium look new. (Dave's is Vintage Race and truely old school) The look I was after is different and not that hard to get, elbow grease and time will make it happen. Although regardless of look Vintage Race or Mag NOS it takes some desire to overcome the feeling of wrecking these expensive wheels. Yikes..........

I started with a green Scotchbright pad on all surfaces then taped off the exposed aluminum for center paint. I chose Rust-Oleum #7270 Gold Rush Metallic found at Walmart. The first coat was liberal to get coverage and bond however it was a bit glossy. The second coat was lighter used to cover any left over exposed areas. After waiting only 10 minutes I finished with a very light coat from a distance. That gave it some texture and matting effect. That's it! Once the aluminum begins to oxidize a bit more they should look very Magnesium like at about 1/3 the cost.

Power Surge · #10 (**permalink**) 10-28-2007, 06:46 AM

FWIW, I don't believe the gold finish is a proper look for a magnesium wheel. The only "gold" mag wheels I've seen are the NEW Halibrand mag wheels. I've never seen an original Cobra with any kind of gold center (that wasn't painted that way).

Also, think of it this way..... the original medium riser intakes were also magnesium.... have you ever seen a gold intake?

1985 CCX · #11 (**permalink**) 10-28-2007, 07:01 AM

Sal,

Great question for Ron I think!
However, original Mag wheels were initially gold because of the chemical they were dipped in post cast to protect them from oxidation. (Chromium VI complex?) They were totally gold like the GT40 cars then altered after the fact. A majority were painted black or allowed to toatlly oxidize giving the black/dark grey cast. The compound used in the dip had a gold cast initially.
Great discussion.....

This set is new NOS Magnesium: (SAAC31 picture via Ron)

This particular cars other set of sneakers are from 60's and are clearly hand painted.

Original Halibrand magnesium Cobra SC wheels never used. Compliments Richsd

These found on CSX3034 were claerly retouched:

bmwdb10 · #12 (**permalink**) 10-28-2007, 09:19 AM

Okay guys.... Finally had a day to work on the car, painted the wheels, took out another 3/4" out of the rear c/overs and evened them up, (good bye perky butt!) and finally installed the headlight baskets that I bought for the R-Model 25 years ago.

Like a different car...

[img]

If any of you ever decide to put the HL baskets on, don't use the clips that come with them. Bulky and don't fit right. I used safety wire... worked super!

Jeff, did you do all 4 of your wheels?

Still have some more work to do on the wheels. Will subdo the out side with scotchbrite just until the alum starts to show. Also have to put another coat on the centers. Got too humid yesterday and the paint cracked some. Had to get them on the car to see the looks and check the handling after lowering it some more.

1985 CCX · #13 (**permalink**) 10-28-2007, 09:31 AM

Dave,

Love it!

Great job...........

Fantastic

You are right it is like a new car, I have only completeed rear at this time. I am opting for a ride and will work on front next week.

bmwdb10 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-28-2007, 12:45 PM

Thanks Jeff.... really like the gold too!

Here is another good shot.

Another...

Great day for a ride. The old 427 LOVES this cold air and the new K&N air filter!

1985 CCX · #15 (**permalink**) 11-04-2007, 08:14 AM

Here it is all done:
It is a different look for sure.

Just in time for winter storage......

Sal Gerace · #16 (**permalink**) 11-04-2007, 08:35 AM

From a good source (Halibrand) The original wheels were coated with Dow 7, a protective coating for the magnesium. This coating is not legal to use anymore. You can Google Dow 7 and come up with some info.

1985 CCX · #17 (**permalink**) 11-04-2007, 02:52 PM

Dow #7 is Dichromate Treatment on Magnesium (This is the gold tint!)

A study was made for the Army Aviation Materiel Readiness Command to evaluate the effects of various surface treatments and corrosion resistant coating systems on the fatigue properties of three send cast magnesium alloys (AZ91-T6, ZE41-T5, and EZ33-T5) of current or potential use in helicopter component housings. This was part of a larger program undertaken by the Frankford Arsenal to provide significant reduction of costs and downtime associated with the corrosion degradation of these housings. Coatings evaluated were DOW 1 and DOW 7 chromate conversion coatings and the HAE and DOW 17 anodic coatings, both light and heavy applications. Pretreatments such as acid pickling, shot peening, and polystyrene impregnation were also evaluated as well as several different organic topcoats

From Rod & Custom website from 34 Ford restoration:
The 34 rolling stock matches the performance theme with a set of pure magnesium rims custom cast by Ron Blondell to perfectly match a set of super rare Halibrand hoops used on mid-'60s Watson Indy roadsters. The rims are coated in the same Dow 7 coating used to preserve the original rims, and that's what gives them that classic greenish gold tint.

767Jockey · #18 (**permalink**) 11-04-2007, 03:15 PM

Well, I went out to the garage to look at my wheels.......hey wait a minute - I don't HAVE any wheels. My car is dissasembled, I have no transmission, and I don't like the color.

I used to like you guys!