Silvernations

Hello all, new here but had my C5 for about 6 years now. When I bought it from the original owner he gave me a set of magnesium wheels with slicks that he bought from someone who plasti-dipped them 🤮 I tried getting it off but it took a lot of the bronze paint with it.




Has anyone tried painting the mag wheels with some success? I’ve heard of you use the right primer it can be done. I intend to put another set of slicks on them for the track and just want them to look presentable.

Thanks!!

vette4fl

I could be wrong, but those don’t look like GM wheels. In that case, they’re not magnesium.

LowcountryVette

They look like gm magnesium wheels to me.

I recall a thread not too long ago someone was asking for the paint code, maybe find that thread and see if he had any luck

vette4fl

Upon a second look, yes, I agree…

nitromainia

Yes, they Are N73 Factory Magnesium rims

Magnesium is Highly subject to significant galvanic corrosion

it is critical that they are properly prepared by someone familiar with the

magnesium conversion passivating process.

Magnesium is used extensively in aircraft and there are excellent directions for the

treatment of magnesium can be found in

FAA Advisory Cicular 43-4A. Section Six Treatment and Repair of Magnesium Castings


......Yes it’s Technical.... But it’s the Only way to successfully refinish Magnesium and creative a Lasting Result

i work on and Refinish and Repair Magnesium Aircraft parts frequently

PM me if you would like to know more about the process

And back in the day I owned A Brand New 1999 with every possible option ...including N73

xcarter

I bought a set of used Magnesium wheels this Feb and ended up having a local mobile wheel repair place re-paint them for me. They turned out looking great, the paint match was spot on and the shop used a good combination of paint and clear to last. They weren't actually that bad, but one was decently curbed and the only "fixing" option I got from two shops was repainting them all. One quote was $250 / wheel and I'd have to bring them in, but they would include the yellow lettering. I went with the mobile place was $150 / wheel and they came to driveway the same week. It's worth it to get them painted and put on, I get loads of comments/complements on these.


Before

Before

Curb rash

Peeling paint

After

After

xcarter

Those for sure look like genuine wheels. Even have the GM stamped into the rim on the picture

douglasjre

Where do we go w these

oakvillec5

I also have significant curb rash on my Magnesium wheels, can you share where you had this work done? I'm in Canada, but if it's close to Ontario/NY border, it could be an option.

Edit: I see you are on the west coast, so not an option for me.....grrr.

xcarter

Yeah Portland area, so a bit out of the way. Anyone local looking, I used http://WheelkraftNW.com

norcalace

Love mine.

Gordy M

Several years ago there was an article on the forum on what paint to get and how to do it with Mag wheels. I bought the color and clear and did them myself. However, I bought my mag wheels for autocrossing and HPDE so beauty was no a goal, Attached are some pics of the front wheels I used the last of the paint on--several years ago. No longer have the paint and cannot remember the Aerosol cans I used.

RWD-FAN

Nothing technical to add just wanted to say those are my favorite C5 wheels

douglasjre

Not stamped. Relief. Elevated is relief. They're lighter than alum and made in Italy for this car. Sticker in glove box will give paint codes too