Paint removal on magnesium?

[Mike Switzer]

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

[Bill Berson]

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.

[Mike Switzer]

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.

[martymayes]

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.

[Mike Switzer]

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.

[Bob H]

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.