Hi,I've had a cheap Brazilian front panel knocking around my garage for a while now but I'd like to get it galvanized before it's welded on. Question is,does anybody know of a company in the west Midlands that could coat such a big object? Cheers in advance.
Good idea, but the thickness of the metal would probably lend itself to distortion as is goes through the galvanising process..
Agreed^. A friend has just made a flat bed for a car transporter with 3 or 4 mm tread plate on the back, welded every 20cm or so, when it came back from being dipped the metal between the welds had warped slight. I'd imagine a brazilian front panel would crinkle up like a crisp packet ;D.
Yes, traditional galvanising will cause significant distortion. This is why galvanised cars, like the Audi 80 from the late 80's, were galvanised using a process based on electrolysis rather than dipping in molten metal. Welding galvanised steel is difficult. the galvaisation is removed/burnt by the weld hence the most vulnerable parts have no protection. Welding heat on galvanisation generates toxic fumes. In Audi production special welding techniques were developed to cope where necessary but where possible panels were attached using adhesive rather than welds.
Ok,cheers for the good advice,all. Think I may invest in an original cut off front clip made of sturdier stuff. Keep your eyes open for me please,pop pickers.
