[DeTomaso] Powdercoating Original Rims

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

Powder coating magnesium is not only a good idea, if done correctly you get 
the vital annealing done free. Cast mag is extremely porous and also tends 
to age-harden and get very brittle, so heat-annealing them every 10-15 years 
removes the stresses that often crack old wheels. Get your powder coater to 
set his oven at 275-295 F and cook the painted wheels for at least an hour, 
then turn off the oven while leaving the wheels inside until cool. This is 
the annealing step. 

You can anneal mag wheels at home in your kitchen oven, but the 275F heat 
will turn regular silver paint tan. Home craftsmen can powder coat their 
wheels at home, too using Eastman's (or others) powder paints. Do NOT bead-blast 
old wheels- this will remove the tan/green chromate coating that Campagnolo 
originally applied, and is the wheels' last line of defense against 
moisture corrosion. 
Good luck- J Deryke