IRS Tranny Structure

[carlos del carpio]

Has anyone done any investigating into the makeup/structure of the transmission case? I was considering powdercoating the case, but is the whole thing magnesium, or a part? I thought only the nosecone was, but I dunno...

Now, if it cannot be powdercoated (cause 350 degrees would make the case into poop) who has painted it? Do you just keep it assembled, blast it, then prep/paint?

Lemmie know your procedures..and yes! please, pics!!!

[David O']

The entire case IS mag!

[carlos del carpio]

Yeah, having it powder coated may be out of the question... I can imagine it being blasted, powdered, and then watching them put it in the oven..they open the door when finished, and all they see is a pile of dust where it was self consumed by flames!


Ok, who did what to their tranny to make it puurrty???

[GregR]

yup.. a good freind of mine runs an aluminum finishing shop. Someyears ago a guy brought in some wheels to be anodized. My buddy couldn't convince him they weren't aluminum. Racked one up, put it in the acid tank and watched it disintegrate before they could pull it back out. The guy didn't know what to say. My buddy said, nope, not aluminum.....

[mkparker]

Two articles I found quickly:

Some metals, like magnesium, need to be degassed prior to coating to prevent blemishes. Simple cleaning stages may not be useful, especially if parts of the metal are to remain unpainted. Primers and conversion coatings can be used to provide adhesion between magnesium and paint. 87

Found Here

and:

One more here

Coating doesn't seem to be an issue, ust getting it clean.

[blackthree4me]

I Powder coated a scoop for a friend and it outgassed something terible.
now I know why. it was probobly magnisium. LOL
I just cleaned mine real good then painted it to match the other components
clean primer paint

[David Head]

I just used a wire brush on a drill, got it nice and clean. And than I rattled canned it with primer and than paint. If you use a brake caliber type of paint, it will hold up better to automotive type fluids. David

[bobaganoosh]

defineately use brake caliper paint it's really durable.

my wifes calipers have been painted for two years and they still look good (need a little touch up)

they have a variety of colors at autozone (in a rattle can, thats what we used)

mike