Magnesium

[andyb]

Can you anodise a piece of magnesium? Or is it something to do with the electrical current?

[chrisw]

A quick browse on google found this. Looks like the answer is yes you can.

http://www.magnesium-elektron.com/about-magnesium.asp?ID=2

[andyb]

:o is that a yes? cheers

[phil_h]

I think thats an expensive option, and still requires painting.
Remember that when you say 'magnesium' you are talking about a 'high-magnesium-content-aluminium-alloy'. Its an exotic expensive mix !

[keefer]

you may want to look around a bit more for info.
magnesium rot's and I know if you want to get it painted it, it requires a special process application before you do so.
otherwise the paint will flake off I don't know if it would be the same for anodising

[andyb]

bit of matt black from a can then?

[yeti]

Magnesium is desperate to return to it's natural state (ore) and will rot before your eyes if not treated correctly. From my Air Force days, the painting process was extremely lengthy and complex and used various acids to "etch" the surface before priming etc.

Best bet is to have it powder coated. I had my mag wheels PC'd about 4 years ago and they still look pretty good.

[keefer]

ha ha
that will do it.
I know when I wanted to get my wheels done I had to do it over the existing paint which was ok because they were new. if you strip em back though it becomes a pain in the arse

[andyb]

powder coating it is then, can they do that in matt black, or is it allways shiny?

[yeti]

I had my wheels done in SATIN black. Not shiny but not dead matt either. The **** doesn't stick quite so hard..........

[Lily]

I think mine were just painted in plain black and they look ok :)

[andyb]

What if I know the back door way into the anodising place? Will it still be too complicated?

[andyb]

well it would appear it wouldnt mater which door i went through, its not really possible as it will blur the colour to grey.

[butch890]

Andy,speak to JH, he will set you straight.
My swingarm is in need of tlc and i have spoken to john about it,basicly you have to chromate it before you do anything else otherwise the mag sort of oxidizes under whatever you put on.
hopethis helps
Butch