anybody had a subframe galvanised?

[terrybullwon]

Shane all mine were Zinc plated and baked

[s2_wot]

I had everything from under my car galvanized and no problems but you have to let them 'dry' for a week coz its pretty soft at first when they do it

Any link to the company that did the work so I could compare processes?

Could always get them Zinc plated or Zinc Barrel plated?

Same question James, is this the electroysis process? Am I right in thinking that the steel not heated and cooled in this process?

[terrybullwon]

Don't really know, they were baked after zinc coating as I saw them bare

[AndyP]

They do get heated but not to a point where the properties of the steel will be altered, or warping could occour. You will not get the inside plated by zinc plating them either as it works on line of sight.

[s2_wot]

Don't really know, they were baked after zinc coating as I saw them bare

Very good, I'll have to ask a few more questions of the potential suppliers over here and see what they can offer.

Thanks to all for your input.

[Error404]

They do get heated but not to a point where the properties of the steel will be altered, or warping could occour. You will not get the inside plated by zinc plating them either as it works on line of sight.

Good point about the line of sight on plating Andy.
We had 6m girders warped like bananas when they come back from galv.

Could get them acid dipped and e-coated, then powdercoat / 2k / POR15 paint.. would be very expensive though.

I sprayed mine inside with cavity wax, should help

[s2_wot]

http://www.imf.ie/asp/default.asp?p=1

Ok what I've learned today I think is that zinc plating will be better than galvanising.

No heat just electricity is used.

I'm going to contact the company linked above and see what they think when I show them a freshly blasted subframe. If they can get the inside done we could be on to a winner.

[irishs2]

Very interesting, I do have great faith in POR15, but zinc plating has obvious benefits.

If you are going the powder coating http://www.barelleltd.ie are very impressive. I got a sample front subframe done by them a few months back as a trial run for the avant running gear. I will post pics of the subframe tomorrow.

[newsh]

The zinc is sacrificial, ie. the steel shouldn't rust till the zinc is gone. So having some zinc on the car will help to keep all the steel (which is electrically connected to it) to remain in good condition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_anode

They use aluminium too. Mmm, maybe those big Procon ten brackets have been looking after my car

[campbellWS]

anyone used this, i got a galon of this for free it sounds pretty good. my local fabricator uses this to patch pree dipped galvinized items that he has modified, quite expensive? 1.9 litre = £58.79 16msquare per litre. I have used it before and it is definately worth it, I think por15 is harder wearing tho

http://www.tools-paint.com/product/Galvafroid_Paint_400ml_Tin_Galvfrd400Ml

[s2_wot]

anyone used this, i got a galon of this for free it sounds pretty good. my local fabricator uses this to patch pree dipped galvinized items that he has modified, quite expensive? 1.9 litre = £58.79 16msquare per litre. I have used it before and it is definately worth it, I think por15 is harder wearing tho

http://www.tools-paint.com/product/G...n_Galvfrd400Ml

I've just painted my ARB with it as a test. I also used it as undercoat for my struts. It's a rediculous heavy weight compared to a similar quantity of normal paint.

I spoke to the company I listed in my last post. They have no plating facility in Dublin but the people in Shannon do have the facilities and can plate the inner parts of the subframe. Price not discussed until they see the part.

Nickel plate + powdercoat I think he said.

[irishs2]

Any update on this Shane?

[s2_wot]

I'm going to meet them tomorrow and make a decision about what to do. I think I'd prefer to plate it and paint it myself afterwards. I just know I'll be annoyed with a powdercoat after a few thousand miles.

The sub frames have been are shot blasted (inside & out) and are in the back of my car.

[Tzummie]

check this out:

http://www.surfaceprocessing.co.uk/for-cars.html

(ignore the acid stripping)

I've done a lot with electrophoretic coating: Electricity-based, no heat. Ideal in combo with powder coating, highest score on salt spray tests. It's the same treatment as manufacturers use for their parts/panels.

Just a suggestion...
T.

[s2_wot]

Any update on this Shane?

Ok so I got the subframes shot blasted. €40 each.

Then dropped them to the metal finishing company in Shannon. The guy there said that they couldn't be galvanised and that zinc plating on it's own wouldn't be enough.

We settled on zinc plating + e coat. This should give total coverage inside and out of the subframes and shouldn't chip the same as powdercoat.

I'm collecting on Monday / Tuesday. Oh yes I should mention cost. We agreed the cost would be somewhere between €40 and €50 each. I can't argue with that if the finish and longevity is good.

Also the e coat can be painted over with loads of other paints so I'll have the option to paint it yellow or something afterwards.