Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 20

Thread: Paint removal on magnesium?

  1. #1
    Mike Switzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Central Illinois
    Posts
    979

    Paint removal on magnesium?

    Just wondering if anyone has a recommendation for chemical paint removal on a magnesium part? I don't want to use any kind of media blast as the unpainted portions are supposed to be semi polished.
    Thanks

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    WA
    Posts
    1,205
    I don't have a recommendation. My experience is that most paint strippers tend to etch or oxidize magnesium. It looks dull grey after stripped.

  3. #3
    Mike Switzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Central Illinois
    Posts
    979
    That is what I was afraid of. I know some of the "Aircraft" paint strippers are safe for aluminum but not so much for magnesium. From what I have seen though, any kind of blasting media is worse. I may be in for a lot of hours & some elbow grease.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Clarklake, MI
    Posts
    2,461
    Any alkaline based chemical paint stripper should be safe to use. Turco 6813 is one of the better performing alkaline strippers and depending on type of coating being removed, may take slightly more patience than methylene chloride strippers. Also somewhat more expensive than methylene chloride strippers. Another option is hydrogen peroxide based chemical paint strippers. Acid based paint strippers may etch the surface but paint shops use it all the time.

  5. #5
    Mike Switzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Central Illinois
    Posts
    979
    Thanks Marty. Restoring magnesium parts is a new one for me. One thing I know - I will try it on a spot that won't show when assembled first.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    155
    I'd avoid chemical treatments unless you are sure they won't induce any tendency for stress corrosion cracking. I'd go with a blast process using a soft medium like walnut shell and then clean blasted surface with acetone.

  7. #7
    Mike Switzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Central Illinois
    Posts
    979
    Bob, do you think walnut shells would not pit the magnesium? I have seen some indy car mag wheels that were soda blasted & they looked terrible afterwards, that was why I was leaning toward chemical stripping.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    WA
    Posts
    1,205
    What are you working on?

  9. #9
    Mike Switzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Central Illinois
    Posts
    979
    Well, it isn't entirely aviation related (although any profits will support my homebuilding efforts) - It is a set of original rims off a Jensen Healey. Not real common & I sure don't want to ruin them.

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Omro, WI
    Posts
    202
    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Switzer View Post
    Bob, do you think walnut shells would not pit the magnesium? I have seen some indy car mag wheels that were soda blasted & they looked terrible afterwards, that was why I was leaning toward chemical stripping.

    Google to the rescue.

    http://stevekouracos.com/restoration...l-restoration/

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •