The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop magnetism

Hey guy's. I got a good one for you. As some of you know, I did a frame off on my 52,1/2t. During the process I had the truck sand plasted. That is everything except the tailgate. That is new. I went to put magnetic signs on the doors and guess what? They won't stick. The truck is demagnetised. The only place they will stick is on the new tailgate. Wierd. Has anyone else ran into this? I tried different magnets to no avail. I just thought I'd pass this on.

Glenn,

It's not fiberglass, is it?

Glenn,

If the truck body has iron in it, I don't think it's possible to make it non-magnetic. If this has truly happened somehow, patent it pronto...many industries would love to utilize this trick.

Keep us posted on the rest of the story. Although it seems like this is whats happening, I don't see how it's possible. It's the properties of the little magnets that do the "sticking", they just need something ferrous to attract to.

I think this is right!

Stuart

I'm with Stuart, body metal is magnetic, and there's no changing that ... try a bigger magnet, the paint's too thick

Bill

Hypothetical situation here but I have to question the magnetic properties of the metal. What if in the sandblasting process, it actually magnetized the metal but it is the same polarity as the magnets which would make it slightly repel? Do you know what they blasted the truck with?

If that were the case, then the magnet should stick if it was flipped over (reversing the polarity). I'd say that Stuart and Bill have got it, the paint/primer layers are too thick.

yes, in reading about magnetism, feromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, antiferromagnetic and paramagnetic material [whew!], the only way sandblasting could have had any effect is if it heated the metal excessively, enough to warp it badly

the magnetic material on those magnetic signs is really weak at the best of times, good epoxy primer, surfacing primer and a heavy film thickness of topcoat could easily defeat them .... might mean the tailgate didn't get as good prep steps or as many coats

Bill

Mine has been blasted and primered a few months back. My rare earth magnets hang on there. Of course they are heavy duty magnets.

Just thinking outside the box again but what if: Thru the sandblasting process, enough warpage took place that the skim coat of filler required to smooth it out again became thick enough that when added to the surfacer and the paint coats, that there was less attraction from magnetic signs. Is the metal bare now or has it been finished?

Well, this all sounds familiar. After I finished my 37 I was attending a show and decided to put a couple magnets of the Amerian Flag on it. I slapped them on the side of the door and walked off. Then someone ask me why they wouldn't stick? I turned around and they had slide down the door and onto the running board!! They would only stick on the side of the bed as it was the only thing that didn't have a lot of body work and body filler, not to mention the skim coats! So, I put the flags on the side right at the back of the bed.
I feel sure this is the case with GEC52's.

I think the paint and primer are too thick for the little magnets. Try stronger ones.

However, if it were converted to a non ferrous metal that would mean no rust!!!