I'm sure this was discussed before but I couldn't find it.

I have a pair of Hutch Magnesium hubs that I'd like to chrome because they oxidize really quickly each time I polish them. But can Magnesium be chromed? Or can it only be polished?



[ March 11, 2004, 04:38 AM: Message edited by: SoCal1982 ]

Try ball-burnishing, that produces a high shine and somehow they won't tarnish. Check with the shop though, some guys won't touch magnesium.

Yes it can be rechromed and chromed .But like ramon said some guys won't touch it because they have to strip it.Once it is stripped the truth reveals some of the underlaying problems of the original plating.like aluminum if it is plated but need replating and you see sign of white powder stuff festering anywhere the platers are like YIKES no way.Cause when they strip and replate it will come out bunk.You the owner will say it came out worse than when it came in then problems fester between the customer and plater.Not saying it is impossible.But money and what your willing to dole out.If you want it to look pimped out then I would check out hemmings motor news.they have a section on plating for cars and nothing is worse that cars.All the grime ,chrome peeling ,pot metal hard stuff to chrome especially when pitted.They are some old timer that can do it properly to 100 point show chrome.But you might have to sacrafice your hand for it.Trying to go skimpy by going to a plater that is cheaper than everybody else will almost certainly create problems.You need to state .It has to be flawless.If the guy answers.No problem it cost this much this many days or weeks jump on it.If the guy starts to tell you he need to see it then explains the problem that can fester etc.Shy away even if he has done stuff for other people.once he gets it stripped it is plated there will be pock marks pits etc.and the money charged may not be to your standards you will walk away sore like leaving the dentist and you will have a hub less than what is was before.Again state it must be flawless.There is a lot of precision prep work that will take place after stripping.like polish work.What if the guys polishes down some area too much instead of filing in the area cause it is cheaper and faster.THESE ARE THINGS YOU NEED TO CONSIDER COST IS THE LAST PRIORITY NOT WHAT THE HUB IS WORTH AND WHAT YOUR WILLING TO PAY when dealing with magnesium

Take Johns advice and look in Hemmings. My additional "car resto guy" advice is to find someone who specializes in pot metal repair...you know the stuff that's all-over 69/70 Mercury Cougars. When this stuff pits you don't just build it up by welding. If memory serves, there's some folks in Georgia that advertised in Hemmings...they build up problem areas with copper and then replate. Definately seek out someone who is at least proficient in plating CAST METALS.
From what I understand cast parts like your hubs "gas out" when being plated (or powdercoated for that matter) and this makes adheasion of the new finish difficult. That's why many posers with 20" chrome spinners are taking them back for that endless-loop cycle of replating every other year (YES?). Magnesium DOES tarnish faster than other alloys of straight aluminum...just ask anyone who owns a Porsche with MAHLE 10 spoke pressure cast "stove burner" alloys (they're light at 10.5 lbs but they will take up more time than a girlfriend to maintain).