The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Making a Stovebolt Bed Galvanized Bed Strips?

Has anyone considered galvanizing bed strips? The finish would look rather industrial but in my case would compliment the body color and would be durable as heck. Would there be a problem with warpage during the process? I got a quick quote of $75 to have my metal strips dipped.

if the strips have corroded much I'd think the galvanize process heat could curl'em end to end, but that might not be a real problem

I use the hi-zinc 'cold galvanize' spray [also sold as weld-thru primer] on a lot of things for the business, and it holds up extremely well and is easy to touch up - nice satin gray finish that looks quite similar to hot dip galvanize or like Zero Rust gray

Bill

Clarification - These are new fresh metal strips.

I was planning on painting these to match the body but would rather find a finish other than powerder coating or stainless that will be maintenance free. The cold galvanizing sounds like it is a surface finish that could be scared and require touch up.

Houston54,

This is what I think I know. The primary acid dip temp is 150 degrees and the zinc dip is 840 degrees.

I have had several pieces done. Some were beautiful and some were beastly. I would guess because of their small size, the strips would come out very nice. Because the entire strip was being immersed into the hot zinc, I don't think warping would be an issue.

Galvanizing can be artistic and cool looking..I think the bed strips would be the perfect spot for this process.

Stuart

Houston54, I don't know if you already have the strips or not. If you are planning to use Mar-K steel bed strips, be aware that they already have a zinc coating, electrogalvanize, and it may interfere with the hot dip process. They may have to remove the electrogalvanize coating first before hot dip galvanize. I don't know anything about the galvanize process, just advising you of the coating that is already there.

Mar-Ktech

Thanks for the advice. The strips were found under the christmas tree with my name on them but I think Santa got them from another mail order house. From what I am told there is a stripping process performed prior to the final glavanizing solution bath.

Is there a reason Mar-K does not offer strips with this coating?

Most people want to paint their strips. Hot dip galvanize is more difficult to paint with good adhesion. We use electrogalvanized steel for good paint adhesion and to eliminate rust while the parts are being handled and on the shelf. I also have concern about roll forming hot dip material because it tends to flake off particles of the zinc coating which collects in the forming rollers.

Mar-Ktech