Older powder-coated chassis - ?waxoyl

[Grizzly]

Shot blast and Epoxy Powdercoat (Not polyester as it tends to lift around damage).

Frankly after using lots of different things over the years i wouldn't use anything other than Epoxy in one form or another, the reason i like it so much is it was developed for oil rigs and after seeing some of the demo's of it in action i'm sold. Keep an eye on this it gets updated every few years, its a long term test and POR is one one of the products on test http://www.classicsmonthly.com/2012/10/ ... te-year-3/ or wax http://www.classicsmonthly.com/2012/11/ ... s-on-test/

Having been in the Bodyshop trade for many years you learn fast that no chemical rust killer can stop rust it just slows it down as it doesn't get to the bottom of the pits, to remove rust it requires either Blasting or cutting out and replacing If you have the proper preparation then cover with Epoxy its about as long lasting at paint gets.

[Famous Frank]

I'm a firm believer in POR 15. It's done wonders on rusted areas and is extremely durable. I've powder coated many things over the years. But you have to be careful. If there is a crack or corrosion in the metal, many times you cannot see the crack or corrosion under the powder coat. It can be hidden. Then it becomes dangerous.

Be safe!

Frank

[Chancer]

This is the best metal coating system that I have ever come across for durability in extreme conditions and good looks:

http://www.plasticcoatings.co.uk/thermo ... ating.html

They were one of my sub-contractors when I was building 7's in the 80's and I could slip parts in with a batch including chassis, I saw one of the first fairly recently and after close to 30 years of exposure to UV, fuel, chemicals and abuse it still looks as good as the day it was done.

The powder coating done at the time on Caterham 7 chassis and suspension parts was appalling and would flake off the rust within a handfull of years, preceding that they were stove enamelled and had a great finish and durability, maybe up to 85?

Not sure if anyone does stove enamelling these days or whether PCL still do Vyflex coating but well Worth an enquiry.

[Chancer]

This is the best metal coating system that I have ever come across for durability in extreme conditions and good looks:

http://www.plasticcoatings.co.uk/thermo ... ating.html

They were one of my sub-contractors when I was building 7's in the 80's and I could slip parts in with a batch including chassis, I saw one of the first fairly recently and after close to 30 years of exposure to UV, fuel, chemicals and abuse it still looks as good as the day it was done.

The powder coating done at the time on Caterham 7 chassis and suspension parts was appalling and would flake off the rust within a handfull of years, preceding that they were stove enamelled and had a great finish and durability, maybe up to 85?

Not sure if anyone does stove enamelling these days or whether PCL still do Vyflex coating but well Worth an enquiry.

[Sea Ranch]

Interesting website. I am familiar with the coating as it can be seen on metal benches and other objects, but never thought of it for chassis (though I can imagine it's what I've seen on coil springs).

You mean to say this company could dip an entire chassis into their thermoplastic tank? Which material would you select for the chassis?

Randy

[Chancer]

It was close to 30 years ago but yes they could back then.

Having viewed one of my firts vehicles after that time the Vyflex was far and away the best coating, it still looked like new even on the roll bar which had been peppered with road chippings where it was completely untouched and still slightly soft to the touch.

[Grizzly]

Kind of goes full circle, if i was going to go to the trouble of shot blasting and dipping a chassis i think i'd have to go with a galvanized finish.

But for things its not possible to Dip i stand by Epoxy being the best

[alan.barker]

good man,
galvanise if possible

[bill308]

Galvanizing is good rust protection, but liquid tin is hot (860F, 460C), so distortion is always a possibility. This is a well know problem with some galvanized Elan chasses.

Bill

[Chancer]

Anyone had one hot zinc sprayed?

There is a company local to me that does my fabrications, the trailer chassis that they did for me is holding up really well and they also did a Marcos spaceframe for my pal, not sure if the Elan chassis would be suitable, can spray reach all the inaccessible bits?

There would be no issue with distortion.