7 replies to this topic

[mk1monster]

Just slightly curious here, and not really for myself either.

Has anyone ever had subframes galvanised? any trouble with distortion?

Its getting a common thing in the land rover scene to have chassis and bulkheads galvanised, thought it might be a good idea to get the subframes galvanised.

(shell is a bit OTT really)

[Dan]

Land Rover chassis' are made out of steel about 4mm thick mostly and they still have problems with them warping in the tank sometimes. Mini subframes are no where near as heavy duty. I believe that some people have done this in the past, but it's not common.

[Jammy]

In the morning I'll find a link to a project mini that was involved with galvanising...

[minislapper]

It can be done but by the time you've spent ages welding brace bars onto it I suspect it probably isn't worth the hassle !!!! :erm:

[Bluemini]

Just get it powder coated, alot cheaper and easier.

[dklawson]

Galvanizing causing warpage? I assume you're using this to mean "hot dipped" galvanizing and not simple electroplating. I can't imagine electroplated zinc causing warping though it might leave the welds brittle.

I prefer urethane paints on frames and subframes. Powder coat is hard but in this application hard can also mean brittle. Stones and other road debris thrown against the subframe can certainly chip powder coat. Bolts tightened onto powder coat will also result in crescent shaped chips under and around the bolt heads.

[Dan]

I agree, powder coat is junk. Lots of the gear I use at work is powder coated and it all flakes off in big strips. You can't repair damaged powder coat, you have to srip it and start again. And it has the added bonus that the part can almost completely rust away underneath it without revealing any damage to the surface.

[pikey7]

I was considering it for mine. I had a local company quote me £200 for shotblasting, galvanising and painting both frames. I though that was pretty pricey compared to the price of "new" parts.

The frames will need blasting so that the zinc has something to adhere to. It will also need a good look at, and any repairing done before it's coated. After it's been coated, if any repairs are needed, the coat will need cleaning back to weld and the galvanizing will need to be redone (to keep the benefits anyway!)

Also, if it is a hot dip (which I guess it will be), then you'll need to clear the threads aftwerwards. Not a problem on the smaller threads, but that large bolt for the subframe to crossmember mount will be a nice one to find a tap for!

After that ridiculous quote, I went to B&Q (!!!) £12 for a sandblast attachment for the powerwasher, £4 for a bucket of fine grade sand, and over to Halfords for some enamel primer and paint (about £8). It will also seal the elements out well enough. I can also protect that lovely thread with some gaffer tape that I don't have to worry about melting!