Refinishing: Magnesium Fan Shroud & Transmission Case, Need Advice Options

[914_7T3]

In reading up on some older threads, it has been stated that the Fan Shroud & Transmission Cases are Magnesium.

I have the shroud out for media blasting along with the engine tin etc....

Once completed should the shroud be finished with a high heat clear paint such as a Krylon that is rated up to 600 degrees. Also should there be any type of prep done between these steps. I want it to look right, but do not know if they were coated from the factory or should be left in the original finish.

On that note the transmission case will not be blasted, but it was suggested that it be cleaned up with a wire brush and steel wool. Is that the correct way to go and similar to the shroud does it require a clear painted finish or just leave it alone. Here is a pic of a small section that I went over with steel wool after degreasing.



Lastly, once the Muffler is blasted, does that require a high heat ceramic coating? If I do not coat it, will that just accelerate any future surface corrosion? Don't really want to spend 1/2 the value of a new muffler heat coating the old one.

Any advice?

[Dr Evil]

I cannot speak to the shroud as I do not know what they left the factory with, but the case for the trans had Tectyl coating on it. It was a corrosion preventative, but it wore off in a few months from what I have read/been told. I have never bought any or reapplied it. The product that many like is called Gibbs, I don't have a link available currently. It last longer. However, from my personal experience on the rare occasion that I do clean and paint a case, I just used good quality spray paint of what ever desired color and finish I wanted and it has been fine. The key is that you do want to protect the trans case, particularly if you are anywhere there is salt, or wet environments. I am originally from San Diego and lived in PA and OH and the East coast stuff is way more corroded than the West coast on average.

[914_7T3]

The key is that you do want to protect the trans case, particularly if you are anywhere there is salt, or wet environments. I am originally from San Diego and lived in PA and OH and the East coast stuff is way more corroded than the West coast on average.

Thanks Doc, forgot to mention that the car upon completion will be a bit of a garage Queen. She won't come out in the rain...ever and hope not to have to drive through any puddles. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

[Elliot Cannon]

Paint it black. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[TheCabinetmaker]

I've cleaned and polished a few shrouds. They don't last without a protective coating, and most clear coats don't hold well either. I spray them with an industrial enamel the same color as the grey intake runners. They stay very nice that way.

[914_7T3]

Paint it black. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

"I wanna see it painted, painted black
Black as night, black as coal
I wanna see the sun blotted out from the sky
I wanna see it painted, painted, painted, painted black"


However, trying to keep it original looking.

[porschetub]

I have seen fan housing done a flat silver (alloy look) paint after blasting....looks pretty good IMO,I honestly didn't know they were made from magnesium ,always thought they were alloy (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) .
I wouldn't use a wire brush or wire wool on the trans case because you will burnish metal particles into the surface of the magnesium ,use the 3m green pads and their wheels you can put on a drill or die grinder,prep the surface super clean then put your chosen clearcoat on.
Good luck.

[cal44]

As the others mentioned.......wire brush?.....NO

Like Dr. Evil I'm also from San Diego.......wait......I still live here.

Bronze wool, I use fine grade. It's a secret weapon few car guys know about.
The boating pros use the bronze as it doesn't rust when tiny particles are not cleaned up and puts a smooooth finish to the surface. It does wonders on old chrome, doesn't dig in to aluminum either. Been using it for decades. If you can't find it locally, order on line and make sure to shop the price, wide variations.
As for coatings, PRO clear can spray, Rustoluem clear. We just did a '66 Bronco Roadster that had all original factory chalk marks thru out. We did five layers of Rustoleum clear. It had a very low gloss and the marks are now safe and quite visible.

Por-15 is supposed to have a crystal clear coating but I have yet to give it a go.
Do not use Por-15 clear rust sealer.

We use Kano Labs degreaser as our first step.

[mgphoto]

Sand blasted my fan shroud than power coat silver.

[altitude411]

That fan shroud looks great (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) Here is my trans getting the treatment... lots of elbow grease to remove road grime.

[mb911]

This is cerakote on magnesium.. It is a ceramic paint.. Very durable..

[mgphoto]

That fan shroud looks great (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) Here is my trans getting the treatment... lots of elbow grease to remove road grime.

Beautiful!
But you're gonna cover the surface with the wax Dr. E talked about?

[mepstein]

This is cerakote on magnesium.. It is a ceramic paint.. Very durable..

We’ve been using it more and more at the shop. You do need a real respirator to spray it. Strong stuff.

[mgphoto]

This is cerakote on magnesium.. It is a ceramic paint.. Very durable..

Very nice, I love the look.
Did you do it yourself, rattle can?

[DM_2000]

Paint would be fine. On steel wheels I've used machine gray then before it drys, dusted stainless over top to give a slight bit of sparkle ( both were Rustoleum in a spray can. ) The gray was too bland , stainless too bright. Argent is a common wheel color but that was a bit too bright.

[mb911]

This is cerakote on magnesium.. It is a ceramic paint.. Very durable..

Very nice, I love the look.
Did you do it yourself, rattle can?

I sprayed it with my sata automotive sprayer. I have a bunch more paint. If anyone needs something sprayed.

[mb911]

Here are my valve covers sprayed as well..

[eric914]

I did a little digging on what the aircraft and marine industry uses and ended doing the final wash on the raw case with Prekote surface pretreatment then priming with Zinc Chromate primer. Not sure what ill do for a top coat yet.

[Dr Evil]

I did a little digging on what the aircraft and marine industry uses and ended doing the final wash on the raw case with Prekote surface pretreatment then priming with Zinc Chromate primer. Not sure what ill do for a top coat yet.

Man, you are gonna be done pretty quick tomorrow as the cleaning is the longest part. I remember zinc chromate when I was working on aircraft and ships. The MSDS made it look like really nasty stuff. Should protect very well.

[iankarr]

Wow...nice to have a spotless case. Took me 8 hours with a toothbrush and mineral spirits to get mine clean.

I used "alumi-blast" paint by Seymour. Here's a link...

https://www.amazon.com/Seymour-16-055-Alumi...t/dp/B003V5BPKU