Galvanising

[Damaged]

Forgive me if this is too off topic...

Currently restoring a kit car (Dutton Phaeton s1, think cheapo Lotus 7), once I've finished modifying the framework I'd like to have it galvanised.

A) Because it should last for a long time

B) Because I fecking hate painting

Could anybody give me a guesstimate how much it would cost to have a frame that size dipped?

Many thanks,

Mick.

 

[rtbcomp]

Weigh the frame and ask a galvanising firm, look in Yellow Pages.

 

[Damaged]

Ah, so it's calculated by weight not surface area!

Thanks for that.

Mick.

 

[snowcat]

around 80p-£1.00 a KG make sure that covers all the "extras" and tax tho.... word of warning Galvernisers are extremely careless.they can lose or bend the thickest of materials....also anything thin may heat distort in the process.

 

[Hitch]

And dont forget to vent it yourself.... or they will gas cut holes in it

 

[Welderpaul]

2 items lost this week again. Plus 1x 150x150x8 SHS column nearly 3m long.??????
The galvanisers are my best customer!

 

[Damaged]

Snowcat / Hitch,

Thanks very much.

Surely they can't lose an entire chassis?!

The minimum thickness of any part is 3mm, could that be distorted?

If galvanisers are that bad can anybody give me any information on what looks like paint to me but is called "cold galvenising"?

Many thanks,

Mick.

Jeez Paul,

Just seen your post, are they realy that bad?

 

[Welderpaul]

Jeez Paul,

Just seen your post, are they realy that bad?

mmm yup

 

[Damaged]

Thanks Paul,

As I can't replace the chassis (no longer in production and no jig as far as I'm aware) I'm worried now.

If anybody has any comparison between cold galv and red lead etc it would be much appreciated.

Many thanks,

Mick.

 

[Hitch]

Theres a thread on here somewhere about painting chassis after blasting, the same will apply i suppose.

Id be dubious of having a light weight car chassis hot dipped. Obviously geometry of it is pretty crucial.


It does vary between the yards you go to a bit. We use one in cardiff now, they are much more carefull than some.

 

[snowcat]

Agree with hitch.............3mm is peanuts, If the dip doesnt get it the missing links feeding it into the tank will.

BTW a Friend builds hot rods, he sent his ford prefect off for media blasting then oxide it, then just used under seal type stuff (sorry name escapes me) on the chassis......

Cars are not really my knowledge base, but I struggle to trust galvers with some of the 4"x 3/16 box section I use...

 

[piman]

Hello Mick,
another option is to have it powder coated?

By the way one zinc based paint product is called Galvafroid, and I guess that sand blasting would be necessary to ensure the steel is absolutely clean.

Alec

 

[fingers99]

There's a company in the W.Midlands that dips and passivates (whole) cars -- can't find the name, though. Or Ribble Technology in Preston. Shouldn't be that expensive for a Dutton. Then follow up with a decent 2 pack or epoxy. FROST do a huge range of suitable chassis products.

 

[Damaged]

Cheers for all the help guys.


Thanks for the tip on the place in Preston Fingers, will give them a call on Tuesday.

Mick.

 

[daviddb]

Hi mick,
I used one in Medway and they were good on panels but I'd think you'd want to weld on some extra bracing and stiffening if you were determined. And even then.......

David

 

[MG David]

I think the firm in the West Mids that fingers99 mentioned is Surface Processing at Dudley. They will dip and then E-coat if you want. They are doing classic car body shells all the time so I would expect them to take good care of it.

David

 

[Smart the paint]

Paint forklifts and tow tractors. Just had one come back from the galvers the other day right mess (glad I didn't get that one ) . Didn't have a good look at the threads (for bolts) but I expect the fitters had fun tapping them out despite plugging them up used hardwood this time, last time used bolts bad idea ! I used some galv paint If it's the same stuff about 6years ago .Sprayed it on using a pressure pot hard work ! The stuff didn't want to come through the paint line so heavy. Looking back could have upped the pressure (doh !)

Hope this helps

Martyn (Smart)

 

[jugs]

There's a company in the W.Midlands that dips and passivates (whole) cars -- can't find the name, though. Or Ribble Technology in Preston. Shouldn't be that expensive for a Dutton. Then follow up with a decent 2 pack or epoxy. FROST do a huge range of suitable chassis products.

Think they are in Coventry may be something to do with the makers of London cabs

 

[Phil@mpliron]

Hi all
The company Fingers99 mentioned surface processing is based in lower gornal, dudley, West midlands.
Have just been reading practical classics magazine there is a mk2 jag restoration feature this company is in the feature.
The have a website www.surfaceprocessing.co.uk looks a good site there's a video showing some of the process and loads of before and after pics.
I just had some railings galv and powder coated, finish is awful as they went straight from galv to powder NEVER AGAIN.
The powder coaters reckoned the could powder undercoat high in zirconium which would be good for many years,but i have nevr had this done yet.

Phil

 

[dannyweld]

the cold process you talk about is electric zinc plating, nicer finish and if your going to paint over it get the yellow finish, with this process the insides of the tubes will NOT be plated, so either fully welded up (not a pin hole) or plenty of drain holes so the acid runs out supper quick. with hot dip it does inside and out but the finish is rough, these guys only do neat jobs for big big customers, in my experience most of the damage comes from careless handling by the fork lift drivers. you can zinc plate your piece again and again (unpainted) but with hot dip youll only have one chance to be honest.