I have a restoration project on the go and have come across a number of project threads on the internet where people have had underbody parts galvernised which got me considering doing the same on mine, my concern though is regarding having a torsion beam axle hot dip galvernised, would doing so warp the beam or change how it acts, second question while im posting is with regards to zinc spraying (molten zinc not zinc rich paint) say i had the internals of the new sills zinc sprayed after cutting them to size would i be able to fit them with my spot welder and get a sufficient weld without damaging the coating around each spot weld or would it effect the welding process or cause the areas around each weld to rust in the future, i can appreciate anywhere needing mig welding the coating would need cleaning off (such as sill to quarter panel) but wondered about spot welding, any input on both these subjects appreciated
- Thread starter 1.8T
- Start date
the snooper
getting older by the day
- Messages
- 21,063
- Location
- Hull UK
i dont suppose even a spot welder will like the zinc coating you may have to clean it off at the exact spot it is to be welded then treat it afterwards the only real way to tell is get some .8 - 1mm galv plate and try it
any welding will damage the galv for sure
any welding will damage the galv for sure
If you are welding something structural like a sill you want proper steel to steel contact for the weld. Introducing a relatively thick layer of zinc is going to compromise the strength of the weld. I think anything more than zintec sheet is going to be problematic unless you intend to clean the area or each spot weld back to bare metal before welding.
Just give all the internal section the waxoyl treatment and accept that after another twenty or so years you may have to replace the sills again.
Just give all the internal section the waxoyl treatment and accept that after another twenty or so years you may have to replace the sills again.
Shox Dr
Chief Engineer to Carlos Fandango
- Messages
- 17,993
- Location
- East Yorkshire
I agree with Stormin. Hot dip Galvanising can warp panels, especially if the part is quenched afterwards, although you can ask for this not to be done, it is only done so they can handle the part after dipping faster by hand.
As for Spot welding; You can spot Zinctec etc but it's not the strongest of welds, participially if a hobby Spot welder is used, because of the power of the unit, and also Spot welding Galv really needs a multi pulse feature, the first pulses melt/vaporises the Galv, so the panels will bond.
Before you try and build the Titanic, I'd be asking how long you are going to keep the vehicle, and it's value once finished. Otherwise you can spend a lot of time and money for no appreciable benefit.
As for Spot welding; You can spot Zinctec etc but it's not the strongest of welds, participially if a hobby Spot welder is used, because of the power of the unit, and also Spot welding Galv really needs a multi pulse feature, the first pulses melt/vaporises the Galv, so the panels will bond.
Before you try and build the Titanic, I'd be asking how long you are going to keep the vehicle, and it's value once finished. Otherwise you can spend a lot of time and money for no appreciable benefit.
QUOTE=Shox Dr;309604]
Before you try and build the Titanic, I'd be asking how long you are going to keep the vehicle, and it's value once finished. Otherwise you can spend a lot of time and money for no appreciable benefit.[/QUOTE]
Good advice Shox.
I rebuilt my series three Land Rover some years ago, heavy duty galvanised chassis, nearly new 90 bulkhead, stainless exhaust, copper brake lines, braided flexis, new wiring loom. In short built to last with the intention I would have it for ever. Eight years later someone else was enjoying the benefit for a fraction of what it cost me.
By all means make a good job of it but don't blow your brains and wallet on it.
Before you try and build the Titanic, I'd be asking how long you are going to keep the vehicle, and it's value once finished. Otherwise you can spend a lot of time and money for no appreciable benefit.[/QUOTE]
Good advice Shox.
I rebuilt my series three Land Rover some years ago, heavy duty galvanised chassis, nearly new 90 bulkhead, stainless exhaust, copper brake lines, braided flexis, new wiring loom. In short built to last with the intention I would have it for ever. Eight years later someone else was enjoying the benefit for a fraction of what it cost me.
By all means make a good job of it but don't blow your brains and wallet on it.
The molten zinc spraying of internal sill sections was just an idea really, if it was something that would of been possible it would have eliminated the worry of areas rusting from the inside out but if theres too many problems to get round i will just stick with the original plan for them, more interested in the galvernising of underbody parts tbh, its a finish which requires little attention, will last and more importantly will prevent rust, as to the question of how long i intend to keep the vehicle i have no plans to ever sell it, already had it for getting on 10 years now
