Are there any problems with galvanizing the chassis? ie. will you get a reaction between the different metals.

As far as I can see, whats good is the fact that the zinc coats the inner surface of the box steel, giving rust protection should water penetrate through the rivet holes, also how much heavier would this be than painting?

Hi, the two main problems with hot dip galvanizing are; 1 Heat distortion, (zinc melts at 420C) will buckle your chassis.
2 Any sealed tubes or boxes will be drilled with a vent and drain hole (about 6mm) to let out expanding air,and allow surplus zinc to drain out. Trouble is loads gets left in, making your chassis heavy.
Hope this helps.

Hi Mark,

See this other post:
http://forum.locostbuilders.co.uk/xmb/viewthread.php?tid=4855

From other posts I've read on the matter I seem to remember that aswell as the heat distortion you've also gotta get it dipped in acid which reduces the box section by 0.1mm (each side) and the zinc is heavy too.

Cheers,

James

Nowt wrong with galvo, on farming tackle and buckets. It looks agricultural though and you shouldn't paint over it for 6 months till it cures.

yours, Pete

Thanks for clearing that up, looks like that brief moment of inspiration was just a false alarm.

Galv's ok if you're not too conerned about weight although it'll only add a few pounds so if you're not racing wot the hell, it'll never rust inside or out.

Pilgrim Sumo fake snakes get their chassis galved so I did my lolocost one and it never moved . Mind you it is made out of thick section tube and not as many bits and angles as a proper one like wot you blokes use.

Shame really though, cos it was a bit out of true before it got done (thanks RHE) and I'd hoped the galving might have true'd it up !!!!

I got round it with a gas bottle and big hammer after and sorted it though.

Why would you want to paint galv anyway. ? You won't see it unless you lift the bonnet and then only a bit of it.

Probably wouldn't do it again though..............galving or buying from RHE.........in fact definitely not the latter !!!



[Edited on 30/6/03 by jonti]