Anodizing Magnesium Wheels?
12-21-2011, 07:29 PM
#1
Anodizing Magnesium Wheels?
my rims are at the point to where something has to be done to bring them back to life and looking good. i dont want to powdercoat them, instead i want to anodize them purple (if possible with magnesium). im trying to figure out if its possible to anodize the magneisum into a purple color like the picture above, ive read that when magnesium is anodized it acts more as a primer for paint, but can i get the magnesium to turn purple just like aluminum or titanium? or is it physically impossible?
12-21-2011, 10:33 PM
#6
The X is silent
You can powdercoat wheels to look annodized. First I have to ask, though, are you certain that your wheels are magnesium? Usually these are only used on race cars that dont have to hold pressure for too long, since it is a porous metal.
12-21-2011, 10:54 PM
#7
OMGITM!
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If standard aluminum alloy, I would recommend powder coating. Anodizing is possible, but can fade considerably over time due to sunlight. Another option may be vacuum coating, if you are looking for something more unique.
A proper powder coat job (i.e. proper powder & curing temperature) will not cause wheels to become too brittle to the point of a noticeable strength difference. That said, I would not personally recommend powder coating all wheels, as some are more susceptible to damage than others.
If lowering wheel strength is your fear, painting would be the way to go.
12-22-2011, 12:18 AM
#8
they are ADR M-Classic's. i called them and spoke to a tech specialist and he told me they were made out of a magnesium-alloy metal. the magnesium rims arent for sale anymore (i searched the site and found all aluminum)
front 2 wheels are about a 1/2 inch and back 2 wheels are deep dished with a 1 1/2 inch pocket
these in black (sanded and painted and clear coat of 2 layers)
im painting the car flat white as soon as spring is here in PA
i understand, the tech specialist told me they were a magnesium-alloy wheel (just found that out today or i wouldve included in post)
im not necessarily fearing lowering the strength, im more focused on the look that anodizing leaves the metal. my car is not a track car by any means, i drive it as a leisure car in the summer months only and take it up to auto-x sometimes, but when im done with school i will start a budget to make it a track car and possibly a DD. the wheels are extremely light i think they might be about 10 pounds? im not really sure. and they did cost ALOT. i dont remember the exact figure but im pretty sure i paid 1800 for them wrapped with hankooks. and i do notice a slight difference in performance also.
front 2 wheels are about a 1/2 inch and back 2 wheels are deep dished with a 1 1/2 inch pocket
these in black (sanded and painted and clear coat of 2 layers)
im painting the car flat white as soon as spring is here in PA
My thoughts as well; how certain are you the wheels are magnesium? True magnesium wheels are extremely light, and cost a premium.
If standard aluminum alloy, I would recommend powder coating. Anodizing is possible, but can fade considerably over time due to sunlight. Another option may be vacuum coating, if you are looking for something more unique.
A proper powder coat job (i.e. proper powder & curing temperature) will not cause wheels to become too brittle to the point of a noticeable strength difference. That said, I would not personally recommend powder coating all wheels, as some are more susceptible to damage than others.
If lowering wheel strength is your fear, painting would be the way to go.
If standard aluminum alloy, I would recommend powder coating. Anodizing is possible, but can fade considerably over time due to sunlight. Another option may be vacuum coating, if you are looking for something more unique.
A proper powder coat job (i.e. proper powder & curing temperature) will not cause wheels to become too brittle to the point of a noticeable strength difference. That said, I would not personally recommend powder coating all wheels, as some are more susceptible to damage than others.
If lowering wheel strength is your fear, painting would be the way to go.
Last edited by Jake33; 12-22-2011 at 12:27 AM.
12-22-2011, 12:35 AM
#9
SARX Legend
iTrader: (46)
$1800.00 is not ALOT. ADR's are decent wheels but if those weigh 10lbs I would love to see proof of that. Just get them painted man, the factory wheels are almost always painted, there is a reason.As said anodized wheels will fade.
12-22-2011, 05:21 AM
#11
Your pockets need to be at least 12" deep and the fact that you are still in school probably means the idea is beyond the depth of your reach ...
apparently you no more googled the subject than you grasped my previous question ....
and generally speaking, why would you ask here to begin with? There are websites that specialize in metal finishes the way this one specializes in RX8s.
.
apparently you no more googled the subject than you grasped my previous question ....
and generally speaking, why would you ask here to begin with? There are websites that specialize in metal finishes the way this one specializes in RX8s.
.
Last edited by TeamRX8; 12-22-2011 at 05:24 AM.
12-22-2011, 07:09 AM
#12
$1,800 with tires is not expensive at all... Hankooks usually go for around $168+ a tire, so with the cheapest hankoos that leaves you with $1,128 for rims and that's not even including tax, installation, etc. and most likely it's not the $168 hankooks if it's a summer tire as they're in the high $250s. So most likely it's just an alloy rim.
EDIT: I would also like to add Magnesium wheels usually go for anywhere around $1500 - $10,000 EACH (without tires.)
Example: the 18" Mazdaspeed Mags discounted go for $1,348 each.
EDIT: I would also like to add Magnesium wheels usually go for anywhere around $1500 - $10,000 EACH (without tires.)
Example: the 18" Mazdaspeed Mags discounted go for $1,348 each.
Last edited by LifeAfterRx8; 12-22-2011 at 07:14 AM.
12-22-2011, 11:17 AM
#14
SARX Legend
iTrader: (46)
One of our local guys has an RX-8 with Mazdaspeed everything, including the magnesium wheels and let's just say he could be driving a Cayman S for what he spent on his 8 new and his is a Sport.
12-22-2011, 11:41 AM
#15
Your pockets need to be at least 12" deep and the fact that you are still in school probably means the idea is beyond the depth of your reach ...
apparently you no more googled the subject than you grasped my previous question ....
and generally speaking, why would you ask here to begin with? There are websites that specialize in metal finishes the way this one specializes in RX8s.
.
apparently you no more googled the subject than you grasped my previous question ....
and generally speaking, why would you ask here to begin with? There are websites that specialize in metal finishes the way this one specializes in RX8s.
.
$1,800 with tires is not expensive at all... Hankooks usually go for around $168+ a tire, so with the cheapest hankoos that leaves you with $1,128 for rims and that's not even including tax, installation, etc. and most likely it's not the $168 hankooks if it's a summer tire as they're in the high $250s. So most likely it's just an alloy rim.
EDIT: I would also like to add Magnesium wheels usually go for anywhere around $1500 - $10,000 EACH (without tires.)
Example: the 18" Mazdaspeed Mags discounted go for $1,348 each.
EDIT: I would also like to add Magnesium wheels usually go for anywhere around $1500 - $10,000 EACH (without tires.)
Example: the 18" Mazdaspeed Mags discounted go for $1,348 each.
thats cool...you do know you can BUY aftermarket wheels for your car?
12-22-2011, 11:53 AM
#16
SARX Legend
iTrader: (46)
i read and took your previous question in the wrong way, i thought you were talking about the lip. but i have no idea how deep the pockets are, car is in storage and i dont feel like bothering to check. tell me what i googled please. i did a search on wiki of magnesium anodizing treatments. thats all. and if you really want to know why its such a big deal that i posted this is here its because i had to join other metal tech forums, and i didnt feel like doing that at 1:30 in the morning. people get tired, sorry.
You are still missing his point.
that doesnt make sense considering people sometimes anodize only the spokes of their rims...i dont know, can you explain it further to me?
12-22-2011, 01:39 PM
#19
OMGITM!
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Never realized how harsh some 8club posters are, lol.
Jake -
Don't bother with what others have said, it is not relevant to actually answering your question.
The fact of the matter is, they are not likely magnesium wheels, but rather an aluminum alloy. Magnesium wheels can be $1500/wheel+, not including tires. Thus, with a standard aluminum alloy wheel, your options are wide open.
You can anodize your wheels, but it would not be advisable (at least, I wouldn't recommend it for long term use). Skip the hassle and speak with a local powder coat shop, or our friends over at www.wheelflip.com. Polishing a wheel + applying a translucent color via PC can give this sort of effect. Also, like I said, look into vacuum coating here -> http://www.olympicpowdercoating.com/...-metal-coating
Jake -
Don't bother with what others have said, it is not relevant to actually answering your question.
The fact of the matter is, they are not likely magnesium wheels, but rather an aluminum alloy. Magnesium wheels can be $1500/wheel+, not including tires. Thus, with a standard aluminum alloy wheel, your options are wide open.
You can anodize your wheels, but it would not be advisable (at least, I wouldn't recommend it for long term use). Skip the hassle and speak with a local powder coat shop, or our friends over at www.wheelflip.com. Polishing a wheel + applying a translucent color via PC can give this sort of effect. Also, like I said, look into vacuum coating here -> http://www.olympicpowdercoating.com/...-metal-coating
12-22-2011, 02:01 PM
#23
deep pockets = big bank account
I just wanted to make sure you weren't a Saudi prince or something before advising you to have them powdercoated instead. Otherwise I was playing you along with the best intention later. That was hardly harsh.
Google your question on the general web and you can see that it isn't likely an easy or cheap proposition. From what I saw the general answer is you can have any color you want as long as it is tan or green, though I did see some mag motorcycle wheels that were anodized black. Deep metallic purple may be a stretch, but again anything is usually possible if you have ... dare I say ... deep enough pockets.
they will need to know the specific alloy makeup too, but the manufacturer can likely tell you this since you weree already talking to them
.
I just wanted to make sure you weren't a Saudi prince or something before advising you to have them powdercoated instead. Otherwise I was playing you along with the best intention later. That was hardly harsh.
Google your question on the general web and you can see that it isn't likely an easy or cheap proposition. From what I saw the general answer is you can have any color you want as long as it is tan or green, though I did see some mag motorcycle wheels that were anodized black. Deep metallic purple may be a stretch, but again anything is usually possible if you have ... dare I say ... deep enough pockets.
they will need to know the specific alloy makeup too, but the manufacturer can likely tell you this since you weree already talking to them
.
Last edited by TeamRX8; 12-22-2011 at 02:07 PM.
12-22-2011, 02:13 PM
#25
The X is silent
They weren't talking about the depth of the lip on your wheels... "deep pockets" is a metaphor, for having lots of cash to spend.