When I bought my mk2 spitfire last Easter it was fitted with Dunlop magnesium alloy wheels as shown in the picture. I have 5 in total all with good
condition Toyo tyres fitted.
The wheels themselves are exceptionally light and I quite like the look of them on the car. The spare has some kerb damage but the others all appear
undamaged.
Here's the query: I have been told that magnesium wheels weaken with age and that these should possibly be in a museum not on my road car! I have no way of
telling how old the wheels are except that I believe they are sixties wheels and are shown in the catalogue at
http://www.canleyclassics.com/ourmuseum.asp?topic=...
My wheels do look like they need tidying up. I have been told reconditioning (ie shot blasting, powder coating or lacquering) is difficult with magnesium.
Does anyone know whether anyone specialises in magnesium wheels, whether mine should be in a musem, or whether there is any way of getting a definite
answer about whether they are still suitable to use?
My current plan (assuming the wheels are safe) is to wire brush them, prime them and repaint. It would appear that the silver parts are in fact painted and
are not lacquered machined magnesium surfaces. This would make repainting easier. If they were to be repainted I wonder whether there is a particular
primer that should be used on magnesium?
Appologies for the length of the message, I'm just a bit stuck with what to do. Obviously I don't want to be driving around on dangerous wheels (and I hope
to go to Le Mans next year) but I like the period look of them, the low mass, and don't want to spend money on new wheels unnecessarily.
Any comments much appreciated!
