anybody had a subframe galvanised?

[Error404]

i would definately paint over the e-coat. It is generally used as a primer more than anything.

[s2_wot]

i would definately paint over the e-coat. It is generally used as a primer more than anything.

I think that's a good idea. Having said that the guy showed me some of the finished items they are surface finishing. They have to supply those parts with a 10 year anti-corrosion warranty.

Have you any suggestions for what paint could be used on top of e-coat?

[irishs2]

Excellent looking forward to see the results. I am curious how it will look with the pitted corroded parts of the subframe.

What about thickness? Getting polybushes in with those white nylon washers was murder on my front standard por15 subframe? Or are you going to use OEM?

After POR15, i am happy with it technically, but not a fan of shiny suspension finish. Satin finish looks so much better.

[s2_wot]

Thickness will be minimal. I'm going with bambridge solid subframe mounts, febi wishbone bushings, and the Golf Engine mount for the rear diff mount.

All going well I'll get another coat or two onto everywhere that doesn't matter in respect of thickness.

Likewise it'll be very interesting to see how the surface finishes up.

[Error404]

I think that's a good idea. Having said that the guy showed me some of the finished items they are surface finishing. They have to supply those parts with a 10 year anti-corrosion warranty.

Have you any suggestions for what paint could be used on top of e-coat?

I'm sure it would last 10 years, but not when getting showered with stones & road debris
If it was me I'd probably use some POR15 chassis black to finish as its pretty tough and chip resistant Really though nothing lasts forever!
I wanted 10 years protection out of mine, by then all the poly bushes etc will want replacing anyway, my car will be 32 years old and I will be able to afford a bare metal restoration on the shell, a retrim and a gearbox rebuild

[s2_wot]

Apologies for the delay folks, thankfully I've been busy at work for the last while.

So here are some details of my sub frame refurb to date.

1. Shot blasted inside and outside
2. Chemically cleaned
3. De-rusted (I don't know how TBH)
4. Chemically cleaned again
5. Coated inside and out with zinc phosphate
6. e coated inside and out

I think a couple of coats of POR 15 now would leave the finish very very good.

Cost to date for 2 frames (blasting & coating) €160

Some photos:





















Oh yea it was my own stupidity that caused the 2 little brackets to be damaged prior to coating. I'm not bothered though that's an easy fix.

[Error404]

looking good - so that's the E-coat finish?

I'f it were me I'd coat in POR15, then Chassis Black to complete

[s2_wot]

looking good - so that's the E-coat finish?

I'f it were me I'd coat in POR15, then Chassis Black to complete

Thanks. It does look a bit rough on the rusted metal areas but i suppose it only goes to show how thin the coating is too. It looks really good on the areas that weren't rusty to start with.

I'm sure it's been discussed to death previously but how much POR15 would I need for 2 Sub Frames do you think?

[irishs2]

They look spot on, and your rear subframe looks very strong around the centre diff mount. Mine had layered rust there.

POR15 goes a long long way. I only used half a US Pint (473ml) to do my subframes , front arb, and suspension legs with 2 coats each


Just for comparison here is my old front subframe after powder coating alone. Your process will have way longer life for sure.







So no matter what process you do you are going to have pitting.

[Error404]

You won't notice much pitting with 2 coats of POR15 and then a coat of chassis black

[anthonys2]

They look spot on, and your rear subframe looks very strong around the centre diff mount. Mine had layered rust there.

POR15 goes a long long way. I only used half a US Pint (473ml) to do my subframes , front arb, and suspension legs with 2 coats each


Just for comparison here is my old front subframe after powder coating alone. Your process will have way longer life for sure.







So no matter what process you do you are going to have pitting.

Looking very good hopefully il have some pics as ive managed to get some front and rear subframes to all preped and ready to go hopefully

[s2_wot]

Anthony sorry for the delay in getting some photos. As irishs2 says above be sure to check out the diff mount location for rust having gone through.

[anthonys2]

Anthony sorry for the delay in getting some photos. As irishs2 says above be sure to check out the diff mount location for rust having gone through.

Shane am kind of relying on the honesty of some people on here so hopefully they're fine both frames are getting sanded and powder coated so hopefully they are good!!!

[s2_wot]

So I opted for rustbullet rather than POR15 for various reasons but mostly because

I can buy it in Ireland from a human rather than a computer
The human was very friendly and showed me some actual applications of the rustbullet stuff and (as any salesman would say) he reckons it's better than the POR15 anyway

When I showed them the e-coated sub-frame he reckoned that 2-3 coats of standard rustbullet will provide a bombproof rust and stone chip protection. I can put chassis black (or white) on top of that if I wish for aesthetic purposes.

https://www.rustbullet.ie

http://rustbullet.ie/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1

1 pint will do 3 coats on 2 subframes by the looks of it. That's another €30 well spent IMO.

Here's a photo of the subframe after one coat.

[irishs2]

Looks the business. As with any rust prevention, its all in the prep. And boy have you prepped it.