Technical how do I tell if a rim is magnesium

I got this old rear end from a guy and he left the wheels on it, Are they magnesium or aluminum? what are they worth and are they worth more or less with the old slicks on them?

 

They look like aluminum, magnesium turns more grey when it is oxidized.
Or you could use a “mag”net to test it!!!

 

If they are mag the will be very light. Also, I would hate to wonder what the bead area looks like if they are magnesium, they are so sensative to moisture.

 

Regardless, they are not worth much in that condition. It would be fun wall art...

 

set it on fire?

 

Cut off some shavings and see if they light.

 

Vinegar...

 

I read some where (probably here) that vinegar fizzes on magnesium and not on aluminum.

 

Yep.....vinegar. Specifically, white vinegar. Sand a small spot clean on the backside, and put a drop of vinegar on the clean spot. If it fizzes and/or turns dark, it's Magnesium, or at least a mag alloy. Aluminum doesn't react to vinegar.

 

I had a big mag fire in the chip bin of my lathe at work many years ago, it was ugly.
Use vinegar!!!

 

Purple K dry chemical is your friend with a metal fire . It’s messy , but it may save your life .

 

What size are they? Bolt pattern? I may be interested. They look aluminum. The vinegar test will tell.

 

With the flat bead area and that color, I'd say they are magnesium. The dude above who said they aren't worth much is probably willing to pay the shipping to his house.

Do the vinegar test, and then take them to the best tire shop you know to have those tires carefully removed.

 

I agree with Alchemy, lack of an outer safety bead plus being tube type design says magnesium to me.

 

They look like Mag to me. I've seen more than one set of magniesum wheels look just like that from being outside. I'd take them off an do the vinegar test. If the are mag, get a new sawz all blade and cut the tires off just leaving the beads and some side wall. Then go to a good tire shop to have the beads broken. The cut the rest off with a razor knife and bolt cutters. Those big old pie crusts are stiff. And a pain to get off whole. Then start cleaning and see what you have. DO NOT BEAD BLAST THEM!!! that will destroy them.

 

I Wish people would call a wheel a wheel and a rim a rim. After all we call a duck a duck. I think they are magnesium !

 

I’d say magnesium looking at the edges and the corrosion. Do what Jason said in the above post, the tires are basically worthless but you could do serious damage to the wheels if you’re not very careful removing the tires. If they are not hopelessly corroded inside they are very desirable wheels. There should be some identification on the inside once you take em loose from the rear end. Let us know what you find.


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Vinigar will bubble or fizz on magnesium and won't do anything/have zero reaction on aluminum.

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Definitely magnesium. Aluminum doesn't degrade anywhere near that degree. As to the question of "What are they worth?" They are worth a lot more than 'free'. Really, you can't pin down a solid number that you can stick to ahead of a sale because the price will float depending on how many buyers are in the room and what degree of demand they bring with them. Pick a number out of a hat, let's say $100 for example, and if you don't get it in a reasonable time, donate the wheels to a hot rod museum that might like the history angle.

 

Another vote for magnesium, you really have to get the tires off and look at the condition before determining a price on them.

 

How would it be suitable to clean magnesium? Would vapor honing be a solution?
http://vaporhoningtechnologies.com/

Rune Waltoft from Norway

 

Hose one of those with hot water.... If it starts to turn dark, then they are mag..... Trust me! It works...

 

This dude said nothing about how much they might be worth.
There's going to be a ton of speculative posts about them, right here out in the open on this thread. The OP stands a better chance of determining the wheel's actual value here than many other places.
I don't low ball anyone.


=
"alchemy, post: 13363743, member: 930"]With the flat bead area and that color, I'd say they are magnesium. The dude above who said they aren't worth much is probably willing to pay the shipping to his house.

Do the vinegar test, and then take them to the best tire shop you know to have those tires carefully removed.[/QUOTE]

 

Thanks everybody. I will do the vinegar test on them this morning. Then have the tires removed professional to see what i got.

 

I Love FREE old Magnesium wheels. With all the pits I'd say they're real.

 

I tried this once, cut off the tire leaving an inch or two out from the bead. Had a heck of a time breaking the beads with my old Coates manual tire machine (standard lever action type bead breaker), the foot of the bead breaker would not take hold, just slipped off the sidewall without the support of the rest of the tire. As you say, a pro shop would have better equipment, just wanted to mention it for the DIYers.

 

A magnesium wheel is a high-maintenance item. I wouldn't dream of using those wheels on the road or for racing without NDE (non-destructive examination), which entails stripping with an appropriate blasting media, flourescent dye penetrant testing, re-chromating, priming and repainting ($$$). On the other hand, if needed just for the correct restoration of a drag car, for display or "cackle fest", just a decent paint job should suffice. I'd guess they'd be of more value to someone for this purpose.

I'm not a lawyer, but I think if I were selling these, I'd state in the Bill of Sale that these are sold "as is", for display use only, or at the buyer's discretion, for other use as considered appropriate after passing NDEs by a certified tester. Document should be in duplicate, each signed by both parties.

 

From the looks of them, they are Magnesium. Kind of labor intensive, but "Gibbs Brand" penetration oil, and the finest ( grey) Scotch bright will go a long way to cleaning them up. I use Gibbs Brand on a lot of old Mag circle track stuff, and it take the white oxide off very well. If you like the Dark magnesium look, spray on a good coat, and let the part sit for a month or so, it turns the whole piece a nice, uniform dark grey/black color.

 

Don't be Jo Schlesser.

 

You are correct. to be safe cut the tread off no more than half the height of the sidewall. Cutting the tread off will let you see if there are giant holes and massive corrosion inside. If they still have air and are reasonably pumped up the whole time they were outside you stand a better chance. Doesn't look like they were stuck in the dirt so you might be ok.