The centers on my rear split magnesium wheels are looking a bit minging...the paint is all flaking and its a faded pee colour...

I want to repaint them gloss black to match the fronts...

Is halfords general purpose celulose spray paint going to be up to the job?


My plan would be to split the wheels, sand and degrease the centers, spray on an etch primer and then use a couple of coats of the halfords paint and then some laquer...

Firstly, would that stick atall and be vaguly durable....Its only a track car so its not going to see huge miles..


And I guess the most important question, will the etch primer and celulose paint damage the magnesium alloy?

What you've described should be fine...

Steve

Trackday should be fine. I painted some wheels with halfrauds paint and it only lasted 4 months Be prepared to repaint quite often

I painted some wheels with aerosol wheel paint and 4 coats of aerosol laquer. 2 months on it should be hardened but it scratched really easily. Next time the tyres are off, I'll get them powder coated.

Following adivce on here I just bought some cans of U-POL spray paint from a local car refinishing specialist. only cost about £4 a tin and the results are MUCH better than Halfrauds stuff....
Just painted my roll bar in black satin and it looks like it has been powder coated

If they really are magnesium then you must get them chromated before applying other finishes.
Magnesium is not like aluminium which just oxidises and is then relatively stable. The oxidation on magnesium keeps on burrowing in and can significantly weaken the structure. I've seen old racecar wheels explode when having tyres fitted because of the hidden corrosion.
Magnesium is not really suitable for use on the road becuase of it's frailties.

[Edited on 25/4/08 by Phil.J]

Hang on a minute, we're talking acid etch.

Wouldn't acid and magnesium result in quite a large amount of hydrogen being produced and destroy the wheel???