Pre-treating repair panel with zinc or something?

[madmog]

I have an accurate rear quarter panel ready to repair my W114 rear quarter. It's mild steel finished in primer that comes off easily. I also have a similar panel which is extremely shoddy quality that looks like it was made by someone with a hammer. I wouldn't mention this panel except it appears to be galvanized or be made of zintec.

It made me wonder whether it was a good idea to get my accurate panel galvanized or treated with something before welding it in so it is more rust resistant. I would remove any zinc treatment from the edge I would be welding as I don't want to be poisoned but that would still leave the wheel arch protected with zinc plus my usual paint regime for such areas.

Is it worth doing something like this? If so what process and can anyone recommend who could do it?

Thanks

[pptom]

I think any proper hot zinc / Galvanising treatment will warp the panel.

[stealthstylz]

Depends how accessible it is once fitted. If you can get to it easily you might aswell do it afterwards and just weld through prime any mating surfaces.

[stealthstylz]

Just to add take all the curse word primer off before you weld it in if it's accessible.

[madmog]

If no hot/chemical zinc treatment I would paint strip, paint with zinc primer except for the edges to be welded grind the welds back, primer them and paint. Just wondered if, since the panel's reasonably small, there was a better process, especially for wheel arch part.

[Deleted]

A good quality zinc rich primer for the main surface of the panel once you have removed the existing primer and a good quality weld through primer for the welded areas - now it just so happens that Bilt Hamber stock the perfect products for your requirements

www.bilthamber.com/paints-and-coatings/electrox

Electrox is a heavy zinc rich primer - that is well proved

www.bilthamber.com/paints-and-coatings/etchweld

Etchweld is a weld through etching primer - really good / high quality product that unlike most weld through primers actually works

[slater]

As an aside I've seen people metal spraying zinc onto panels. Somthing I will be experimenting with when i get chance seeing as i have the kit.

[madmog]

Thanks all. Paint isn't the issue just like the idea of part galvanizing some of the rust traps like wheel arches and forgetting about them.

[Mantasport]

As Grumpynorthener said BiltHamber have what you need. I use that on every panel i fit, adds to the time it takes to do it but well worth it for the protection it gives.

Obviously followed by a health waxing inside any cavity and around the arch once all the welding is done. Oh and BiltHamber do several good waxes for various areas of the car

[Deleted]

Jun 15, 2020 20:57:36 GMT madmog said:

Thanks all. Paint isn't the issue just like the idea of part galvanizing some of the rust traps like wheel arches and forgetting about them.

Has already stated proper hot zinc galvanising is not going to do you any favours what so ever it will distort the panel immensely - you need to be looking more down the zinc paint protection route

[madmog]

Thanks Grumpynortherner and all of you. I've gone to town on every bit of the car I've welded so far. I actually use the stuff from rust.co.uk. zinc epoxy primer (that is not porous) then epoxy topcoat and where appropriate the Bilt hamber flavoured waxoyl stuff. Can't remember the proper name.