rblongboarder
Well-Known Member
An E3 restoration on this site introduced me to something new.. an epoxy primer technique for rust prevention.
I thought it would be useful to compare rust prevention techniques:
Technique 1: Galvanization
I don't know exactly what year galvanization was introduced, but there are many classic cars which lack it: Mustangs, 240z, 2002, E3, E9... I seem to recall galvanization was introduced about 1975 or 1976... when the early E24's, E21's and E12's were introduced.
Steel is sandblasted and then dipped in molten zinc, producing a protective layer.
Technique 2: Chemical Dip.
This process is similar to re-chroming. Metal items are sandblasted, polished and de-greased. Sometimes there is a minor acid-etch step.
Finally the metal item is dipped in a chemical bath, which reacts with the steel, producing a thin layer that protects. Due to environmental regulations in California, Nevada and Arizona, a lot of this industry has transitioned to Utah.
Technique 3: Novol Epoxy Primer System.
I was not familiar with this technique until I started a discussion regarding this E3 restoration:
The process seems similar to chemical dip in terms of preparation.
My curiosity: how well does the epoxy bind to bare metal ? What happens when metal is dented?
Perhaps others on the site can contribute knowledge, and potential companies that do this sort of work in the USA.
I thought it would be useful to compare rust prevention techniques:
Technique 1: Galvanization
I don't know exactly what year galvanization was introduced, but there are many classic cars which lack it: Mustangs, 240z, 2002, E3, E9... I seem to recall galvanization was introduced about 1975 or 1976... when the early E24's, E21's and E12's were introduced.
Steel is sandblasted and then dipped in molten zinc, producing a protective layer.
Technique 2: Chemical Dip.
This process is similar to re-chroming. Metal items are sandblasted, polished and de-greased. Sometimes there is a minor acid-etch step.
Finally the metal item is dipped in a chemical bath, which reacts with the steel, producing a thin layer that protects. Due to environmental regulations in California, Nevada and Arizona, a lot of this industry has transitioned to Utah.
Technique 3: Novol Epoxy Primer System.
I was not familiar with this technique until I started a discussion regarding this E3 restoration:
The epoxy primer is there to prevent flash corrosion of the bare steel. It does not absorb moisture therefore effectively seals the bare metal from the environment. The paint system they use is by Novol who specifically design paint systems for classic cars.
If you go to about 3:45 minutes in on the following video the full process is explained.
If you go to about 3:45 minutes in on the following video the full process is explained.
The process seems similar to chemical dip in terms of preparation.
My curiosity: how well does the epoxy bind to bare metal ? What happens when metal is dented?
Perhaps others on the site can contribute knowledge, and potential companies that do this sort of work in the USA.