Galvanized metal at home

What is cold galvanizing?

This name disguised the most accessible way to strengthen the protective zinc layer on sheets or products made of galvanized metal. As a matter of fact, it is painting of metal, but feature is covered in the most coloring structure.

Zinc-filled paints have been developed specifically for this purpose - to protect the metal and prolong its life. Each of them contains about 89-93% zinc powder, so the polymer is able to perform the same tasks as hot, galvanic and other types of industrial galvanizing. But, unlike them, cold galvanizing keeps on the product up to three times longer and, in addition to protective, has a decorative effect.

The only disadvantage of this method is that the polymer layer is subject to mechanical damage, so it must be applied carefully and evenly, and during the operation it is timely to repair damaged areas.

How to paint a galvanized roof or a fence?

The most common application of galvanized sheet steel in everyday life is roofing and various fences. Metal is light, inexpensive and wear-resistant, so its popularity in this field of application is justified.

These and other designs have similar characteristics: large even areas, a minimum of relief and corners, and therefore produce a cold galvanizing of the fence and the roof by one instruction:

1. It is necessary to prepare the surface before painting: clean it of debris and dust, remove the old coating,if any.
2. Wash metal under pressure or even with detergent.
3. Thoroughly dry. Any trace of moisture or condensation is unacceptable.
4. If desired, a primer, also special, zinc-containing, can be applied to a clean and dry surface. It will strengthen the effect of cold galvanizing, increase adhesion and reduce paint consumption. If a primer-enamel 3-in-1 is used, a primer layer is not required.
   
5. After drying the primer, if you do not pass this step, apply a thin thin layer of zinc-filled paint. If you use a spray gun, then the painting will be faster, if the roller and brush, then paint the smooth areas with smooth spots, and brush the corners, seams and protruding elements.
6. Not earlier than an hour, but better after completely drying the first layer, similarly apply a second one. Make sure that there are no missing areas.
7. Repeat the previous step if necessary.

After drying, cold galvanizing forms a uniform polymer layer, which can greatly increase the operating time of the roof, fence or other metal structures from galvanizing and ferrous metals.

How to galvanize in a car

With galvanized parts of a car, the situation is much more complicated, and yet it is also possible to galvanize bodywork and other elements at home.

This will require a consumable material - a solution of chloride, zinc sulfate or zinc salts. It can be prepared by hand, dissolving zinc in sulfuric or hydrochloric acid or buying a ready-made soldering acid on the radio market.

Galvanizing car body parts at home: step by step instructions.

1. 400-450 g of zinc is placed in an acid-resistant container and gradually add a thin trickle of acid. There will be a reaction and gradually the solution will become transparent.
2. The part should be cleaned of debris and degreased.
3. For the part that requires galvanizing, you need to connect a "minus" from a normal charger or battery.
4. Connect a "plus" to a piece of zinc.
5. Apply power. If the preparation is carried out correctly, the steel will begin to noticeably be covered with a zinc layer. In case of failure, a friable dark coating will form.
6. At the end of the galvanizing process, the acid residues from the part are rinsed with running water or a weak soda solution.

It happens that repairs are needed only for a small section of the body, and it is not advisable to process the whole part. In this case, it is possible to galvanize this section separately.

• The site is scratched and sanded.
• "Plus" is connected to a piece of zinc.
• "Minus" with the help of a battery clip is connected to the body.
• A piece of zinc is wrapped with a cloth moistened with a solution, as in the previous method.
• The zinc needs to be gently driven over the cleaned area, periodically wetting the cloth in the solution. Gradually, the metal will settle on the body section.
• At the end of the zinc coating, the area is also washed with water or a weak soda solution to remove acid residues.

Without such treatment, any body repair leaves the metal defenseless to the outside environment, and the paint will not become a full-fledged barrier. But after such a home zinc-plating of the car body can be safely primed and painted.