Scratches on a new car are always distressing to its owner. However, worse than the unaesthetic appearance of a brand new paintwork can only be rust, which slowly but surely captures an increasing area of ​​the damaged surface of the car. Of course, this can be combated with the help of timely removal of scratches and the application of anti-corrosion primer. But sometimes, due to lack of time or finances, the motorist simply does not have the opportunity to give the car for repair or paint it on his own. In such situations, the full galvanization of the car saves.

Car plating - what is it?

Before we talk about galvanizing, let's look at how rust appears on a car. The fact is that most modern bodies are made of sheet steel. This is justified by the high strength of the material and its relatively low cost compared to lighter metals. The price, for example, of aluminum is almost 3 times higher for the same volume, but carbon fiber is not even worth mentioning. However, steel, being one of the alloys of iron, is easily susceptible to corrosion.

So it turns out that with significant damage to the paintwork, the metal is exposed and comes into contact with air and water. The oxygen included in their composition enters into a chemical reaction with iron and starts the oxidation process. All this leads to the formation of a corrosion center, which gradually grows and destroys the metal. Sometimes the destruction is so strong that a through hole is formed in the damaged area. So how do you protect durable steel from rust?

Due to contact with air and water, the exposed metal begins the process of corrosion.

To combat this phenomenon, a process such as galvanizing has long been invented. It works simply: the iron-containing alloy is covered with the thinnest layer of zinc, which forms a protective film on the surface. It is this film that prevents oxygen from reaching the metal and entering into a chemical reaction with it. This procedure is considered to be a highly effective means of corrosion protection.

In addition to galvanizing, tinning is used to protect steel, that is, tin coating. However, in the case of cars, this method is considered less reliable and more expensive. If restoration of body parts is necessary, then tinning and galvanizing are used in pairs, since a layer of tin can smooth out the relief formed as a result of the removed rust layer.

Galvanizing protects the metal from rust

Advantages and disadvantages of galvanizing

Like any other process, galvanizing has its positive and negative sides. Its advantages include the following factors:

• galvanization reliably protects the car from the aggressive effects of air, moisture and salts and prevents the appearance of foci of corrosion on exposed metal areas;
• depending on the type of galvanizing, the service life of the protective coating can be from 5 to 30 years;
• Zinc coating is more reliable and profitable than tin coating.

The procedure also has disadvantages, but they are much less impressive. The disadvantages of the method include a rather high cost if you use the services of specialists. Some types of galvanizing can be done independently, but this will require certain skills, time and strict adherence to the instructions.

The protective zinc layer always breaks down over time. The rate of destruction is from 1 to 5 microns per year.

Types of galvanization

You can galvanize a car body in various ways. They differ significantly not only in their technology, but also in price and the result obtained. Today, the following three methods are actively used:

• thermal or hot galvanizing;
• cold galvanized;
• galvanized zinc;

Let's talk about each of these methods in more detail.

Thermal or hot dip galvanized

During the galvanizing process, the car body is immersed in a container of molten zinc of a suitable depth. In this case, the temperature of the metal can reach 4000 °C.

The thermal method is considered the most effective, since the resulting zinc layer is from 2 to 15 microns. If the paintwork is damaged, it reliably protects the steel, and in case of minor damage to the zinc layer, it can sometimes be restored on its own. This is due to the appearance of zinc deposits, which seem to patch up the damaged area. It is not surprising that the service life after undergoing such a procedure is at least 15 years, and with careful attitude to the car, all 30.

Hot-dip galvanizing is an expensive procedure that significantly increases the price of a car. Therefore, manufacturers use it mainly for premium and business class cars. It is impossible to carry it out at home.

Hot dip galvanizing of metal was described as early as 1742. We owe the discovery to the French physicist and chemist Paul Jacques Malouin. And almost a century later, in 1836, Stanislas Sorel received a patent for the use of this method.

Hot dip galvanizing is considered to be the most effective method of rust protection.

At its core, cold galvanizing is more like priming a car. The only difference is that the soil contains a large amount of fine zinc. A layer of such soil can protect the car body, but only in the case of minor paint chips. If the zinc layer is directly damaged, then corrosion will certainly appear.

This method of rust protection is the most unreliable, but at the same time the cheapest. Manufacturers of budget car models often use it in order not to inflate the final cost of the product.

However, how honestly to call this method galvanizing is a big question. Most likely, this is just a marketing ploy in order to attract buyers who do not understand rust protection methods.

Nevertheless, cold galvanizing is well suited for self-fulfillment, as it does not require specific equipment or special conditions for the procedure.

Cold galvanizing is considered the most unreliable method of rust protection.

Galvanic galvanization occupies an intermediate step between cold and hot methods. On the one hand, it is quite reliable, and on the other hand, it has an acceptable cost and is suitable for use in a garage.

The method consists in immersing a car part in a zinc electrolyte and then applying a current. It forms strong bonds between the steel and the zinc coating, which provide good protection from corrosion. Compared to thermal galvanizing, this procedure will be less reliable: the service life of the coating will be from 10 to 20 years.

Galvanized galvanizing is popular among mid-range car manufacturers.

Galvanized galvanization is chosen by most car manufacturers due to the optimal price-quality ratio.

Zincrometal

There is another method of hot galvanizing: molten zinc is applied to metal sheets, and then rolling is started. The resulting steel sheets with a thin layer of zinc are called zinc-metal. From this material, you can make a body or parts that can resist corrosion. In this case, the protection will be lower than in the case of the thermal or galvanic method, but much higher than with cold galvanizing.

Sometimes steel is galvanized before being sent for hire.

Also, thermal diffusion and gas-thermal methods are used for galvanizing metal. They are used in industry, but have a lot of specific points that make them unsuitable for galvanizing car bodies.

Full or partial galvanization - what to choose

Separately, it is worth talking about the partial galvanization of the car. If in the case of full galvanizing, all parts are subjected to this process, up to the smallest and hard-to-reach, then with the partial method, only the elements most susceptible to corrosion are protected. Most often, this is the lower part of the car: its bottoms and sills. Sometimes doors are also coated with zinc, since it is quite easy to damage the paintwork on them. In some cases, wings are added to the above elements.

To save money, some cars are galvanized only at the bottom

Despite the fact that partial galvanizing is sufficient in most cases, it is not sufficiently reliable. After all, you can get a scratch, for example, on the roof of a car, just by driving under trees with a low crown. So, if possible, give preference to cars with a full galvanized body and nodal connections.

Opt for a full galvanized body if your budget allows.

How to know if your car is galvanized

Currently, most car manufacturers, both domestic and foreign, galvanize their products by one method or another. If you buy a car from an official representative of the brand, then in the salon they will definitely tell you whether your new iron horse is protected from corrosion. But what if you buy a car from the previous owner, and he is not sure about the availability of zinc coating? And if at the same time the car is of a low price category and is more than 15 years old, then it becomes even more difficult to establish this.

Is it possible to check it yourself

It is impossible to determine by eye whether there is a protective layer of zinc on the surface of the body. This will require professional equipment. It is completely unprofitable to purchase this for use at home, since the cost of the device will not pay off in one check. Not even every station Maintenance can afford it. If you still find a service station that will carry out such a procedure for you, then its cost will be quite high. Therefore, it is better to purchase a car, in the galvanization of which you are sure.

So how do you know if your car has been galvanized?

1. The easiest way to find out if a manufacturer has galvanized a machine is to look at its technical documentation. If you find the phrase “full galvanization” there, you can be calm - your car is protected from rust. However, it is likely that the manufacturer cheated and galvanized only certain parts of the machine. In this case, you will not find the word "complete".
2. Examine the warranty card. There you will find information about the warranty period for the protection of the bodywork against corrosion. From 5 to 10 years of warranty speak of a cold galvanizing method, 10–20 - of galvanic, and 20 and above - of thermal.
3. Pay attention to the cost - if it seems too low to you, and the word "galvanizing" is present in the documents, there is a risk that we are talking about a cold method that is not highly effective.
4. You can get information about the availability of galvanizing and the method by which it was made by VIN code car. It contains information about technical specifications car.
5. If you buy a car not in a store, but from a previous owner, then carefully examine the body. Few people manage to avoid scratches. If you see only a slight darkening at the place of the chipped paint, and there is no rust, then the protective layer is most likely present.

What cars are galvanized at the factory

Today, almost all major manufacturers galvanize cars. European and Asian brands prefer the galvanic method. However, there are companies that prioritize the quality and durability of their products, which is why they use hot dip galvanizing. This is typical for cars. Volkswagen Group Group and some other brands:

• Volkswagen;
• Audi;
• Cadillac
• Ford;
• Porsche.

At the same time, the Audi brand is a pioneer in the field of serial galvanizing of cars. In 1986, the famous Audi80 rolled off the assembly line with a fully galvanized body. This event gave rise to the mass galvanization of mid-size cars.

Photo gallery: hot dip galvanized cars

Chevrolet Corvette C7 hot zinc plated Audi A80 the first production galvanized car CADILLAC CTS Coupe is a hot dip galvanized car

The galvanic method of galvanizing is used by such manufacturers as:

• Mercedes Benz;
• Toyota;
• Skoda;
• Honda;
• Mazda;
• Mitsubishi;
• Peugeot;
• seat;
• Chrysler.

Photo gallery: cars with galvanized galvanization

Honda Civic 9 Galvanized Mini Cooper 3 protected by electroplating Brand Mitsubishi prefers the galvanic method Skoda Yeti also has a protective zinc layer Bmw 7 f01 has electroplated zinc coating

Full or partial galvanizing of the car is also found in some models of the following brands:

• Chevrolet;
• Opel;
• Buick;
• fiat;
• Volvo.

Most Hyundai brand cars are galvanized in a less reliable cold way. The Russian manufacturer VAZ also arrives with models of the latest generations.

Photo gallery: cold galvanized cars

The old generation Daewoo Matiz M100 was cold zinc plated Hyundai brand uses cold galvanizing method for its vehicles Lifan Solano has an unreliable cold zinc coating

The South Korean company Kia prefers zinc metal in the manufacture of its cars.

Photo gallery: cars made of zinc metal

Kia Forte is made of zinc metal Kia Rio 3 made of zinc metal Kia Soul 2 is made of zinc metal

The situation with determining the presence of a zinc layer is further complicated by the fact that in different years manufacturers could use different methods of galvanizing. So, at the beginning of this century, the cold method was more common, but now it has been replaced by galvanic in most models.

Despite all this, it is very easy to find out if your car is zinc coated. For this, there are special resources on the Internet. All you have to do is enter the make, model and year of your car. After that, you will know not only the method that was applied to your machine, but also an approximate forecast of the condition of the protective layer.

On a special resource you can find information about the method of galvanizing your car

Do-it-yourself galvanizing of a car body

In everyday life, you can use both cold and galvanic methods of galvanizing a car. At the same time, the technologies for performing the procedure will differ, so we will consider each of them separately.

Safety precautions for self-galvanizing

In order for the galvanizing process to take place as efficiently as possible and not cause harm to health, you should adhere to the safety rules as accurately as possible.

1. Carry out all work in a well ventilated area. It can be an ordinary garage with a good hood, but it’s better to equip workplace outdoors.
2. Do not neglect personal protection: gloves, goggles and a respirator must be on you.
3. Be very careful if you make your own electrolyte for zinc plating. This chemical process proceeds with the release of hydrogen, so the presence of flammable objects in the immediate vicinity can cause an explosion or fire.

Car preparation

Before proceeding with galvanizing, you should prepare the car. This applies to both cold and galvanic galvanizing methods.

1. Remove old paintwork. It is best to use an abrasive in the form of sandpaper or a special grinder.
2. If there is rust under the paint layer, then it must also be removed with an abrasive.
3. Using harsh chemicals to remove the paint is not recommended, but if you do, wash the metal surface with a baking soda solution and dry thoroughly.
4. If you need to straighten the part, then you can do it at this stage.
5. Degrease the surface of the part with alcohol. Please note that acetone or white spirit cannot be used, since the heavy resins contained in them will interfere with the bonding of the metal with zinc.

Galvanizing should be started immediately after degreasing. If you decide to do it on another day, then move the last stage.

cold method

Cold galvanizing is less efficient than galvanizing, but it is much easier to carry it out at home. Another advantage is that you can coat a large area with a protective composition, which is not possible with the electrolyte method. Therefore, this method is good to use for the upper part of the car: the roof, pillars, hood and trunk lid. You can also cold-dip galvanize the doors or even the entire body.

For cold galvanizing, you will need the following materials and tools:

• special composition for cold galvanizing (pay attention to the products of the brands Zinga, Galvanol or Zinol);
• spray gun or brush;
• individual protection means.

The composition of the Galvarex brand is also well suited for cold galvanizing.

Do-it-yourself technology for galvanizing a car with a cold method

Applying zinc mortar is no more difficult than applying primer or regular paint. If you have experience in painting a car, then you will not experience much difficulty.

1. With smooth movements, apply the composition from the spray gun to the surface of the part. The layer should be thin and even.
2. In some cases, it is more convenient to apply a zinc composition with a paint brush than with an airbrush. This way is also possible.
3. After the first coat has been applied, allow the parts to dry completely. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour.
4. Apply a second coat in the same way and let it dry.

Video: cold galvanizing:

When the part is completely dry, you can apply car paint and varnish.

Galvanic method

With the galvanic method, the part that is galvanized is lowered into a bath with electrolyte. In this case, the bath must correspond to the size of the part so that it can be immersed as a whole. Because of this, it is impossible to galvanize the entire car body in this way: it will be difficult for you to find a container of the appropriate size, a sufficient volume of zinc solution and a mechanism for raising and immersing the car. Nevertheless, galvanizing is good if you need to process small and hard-to-reach parts that are located at the bottom of the car.

For galvanizing you will need a certain set of materials and tools.

• zinc chloride or zinc sulfate as an electrolyte;
• zinc electrode;
• acid-resistant bath for electrolyte;
• car battery or other 12 volt current source;
• moisture-wicking fabric;
• baking soda solution;
• goggles, rubber gloves and a respirator.

All materials and tools you can buy in the store for motorists

All of the above can be purchased at most motorist stores. But if you still have trouble finding some specific materials, then use the following tips.

1. If the auto shop does not have something you need, look at the store for radio amateurs.
2. The electrolyte can be prepared independently by dissolving zinc in acid. Sulfuric acid can be purchased at an auto parts store. For every liter of liquid you will need 400 grams of metal. Put zinc at the bottom of the bath, and then fill it with acid. After the reaction is complete and no more air bubbles appear, separate the colorless solution from the precipitate.
3. A piece of zinc can be found if you disassemble a round battery.

Do-it-yourself galvanizing technology for a car

When all the preparatory work has been completed, and the container with the electrolyte is ready, you can start the galvanizing process.

1. Take the part you are going to zincate and connect the negative battery cable to it.
2. Take the zinc electrode and connect the positive battery cable to it. Please note that this wire must not come into contact with the electrolyte!
3. Immerse the workpiece and zinc into the electrolyte reservoir.
4. Turn on the voltage. Under the influence of current, zinc from the solution will gradually settle on the surface of the part. In this case, the current strength should not be higher than 1 ampere, since the galvanizing process should be slow. If you try to speed it up, then the zinc layer will be too loose and will not be able to fully protect the metal from corrosion.
5. If you did everything right, then the zinc layer will have a gray color and look even.
6. Take the part out of the electrolyte and then wash in an alkaline solution to neutralize the acid.

Galvanic galvanization is performed by immersing the part in a zinc solution.

Video: dip galvanizing

If you are unable to use a deep enough container, or want to galvanize parts that are difficult to remove from the machine, you can use another version of this process.

1. Wrap the zinc electrode with a cloth in several layers.
2. Connect the positive battery cable to it, and leave the negative cable on the ground of the car. Turn on the battery. In this case, the current strength, as in the previous case, should not be higher than 1 Ampere.
3. Dip a piece of zinc into a container of electrolyte and wait until the fabric is completely saturated.
4. Run a piece over the surface of the part you are galvanizing. Your movements should be smooth and soft, without jerks and pressure.

Galvanic galvanizing can also be carried out with a piece of zinc wrapped in cloth

Video: galvanizing with an electrode soaked in electrolyte

After the part is fully galvanized and thoroughly dried, you can start priming and painting.

In the conditions of our country, galvanizing a car will help to avoid many problems. Harsh climate, poor quality roads, and even driving culture are negative factors. You can easily become the owner of a scratch in a parking lot or in a traffic jam, and you yourself will not even notice it. If the manufacturer did not provide a protective layer of zinc for your car or the warranty for it has expired long ago, then you can easily repeat the procedure at home. To do this, you just need to observe safety precautions and strictly follow the instructions.

Body materials determine the overall weight, strength, reliability and durability of a vehicle. Manufacturers are looking for new technological solutions, aluminum alloys, new polymers, composite materials are widely used. However, the most widely used products are made of sheet carbon steel.

The production of steel sheet for the automotive industry is well developed, it allows to obtain material with desired properties, and has a minimum cost. Automakers are improving designs and technologies (such as spot or laser welding) to improve the performance of mass-produced models.

Body protection against corrosion.

The task belongs to the group of the most important. Various methods are used to solve:

• Manufactured from corrosion resistant materials. The method is effective, but polymer structures do not have the desired mechanical characteristics, and aluminum alloys and composites significantly increase the cost of production and the finished car.
• Protection with mastics, coloring. The applied mastics and paint coatings do not provide the necessary level of protection against moisture and aggressive chemicals, such as road chemicals. They do not have sufficient resistance to mechanical stress - they are subject to abrasion, crack over time, and are easily damaged by minor impacts. Places of damage turn into foci of corrosion.
• Application of protective films (layers of various materials). The method is not new, but remains the most promising in terms of cost and efficiency. Among the technologies used, zinc coating (galvanizing, galvanizing, galvanizing) is considered optimal.

Zinc as a protection for steel.

Galvanizing is the most widely used method of protecting iron and steel products from corrosion caused by natural (moisture, temperature) and artificial (aggressive chemicals) factors. In fact, more than 40% of the zinc mined annually in the world is used for protective coatings.

This situation is due to the high efficiency of several protection mechanisms characteristic of galvanized steel products:

• Barrier formation. Zinc quickly forms films of oxide or other compounds that are chemically passive to the effects of various substances. As a result, the access of reagents that provoke corrosion to steel products is limited, the Zn compounds perform the functions of a sealant formed in situ.
• Electrochemical protection. Due to the difference in electrochemical potentials (-0.441V - Fe, -0.763V - Zn), the latter, deposited on the surface of parts made of iron or steel, performs the functions of an electrochemical protector. In fact, corrosion processes take place in the protective layer without affecting the base material. Protection extends even to areas that do not have a coating (within the radius of the tread) - with a partial violation of the integrity of the zinc layer, the protective properties are preserved.
• Partial regeneration. The potential difference between the materials also causes the transfer of Zn particles to the unprotected surface of the base material, allowing minor defects or damage to self-heal.

Problems of technological processes of galvanizing:

• Ensuring the required level of adhesion - adhesion of the zinc layer to the surface of the material.
• Obtaining a given thickness. With an annual galvanizing degradation rate of 0.85 (minimum) to 6 microns, a 5-15 year body warranty requires a thickness of 2-5 to 10-20 microns.
• Protection of parts of complex configuration.

Technologies, properties of coatings, advantages, disadvantages.

For galvanized bodies, automakers give a solid guarantee - from 5 to 30 years. The characteristics of the protective layer largely depend on the application method used.

Several galvanizing technologies are used in the automotive industry:

• Hot (thermal);
• Galvanic;
• cold;
• Zincrometal.

Thermal (hot) galvanizing.

The technology using zinc melt is the oldest, but provides the maximum protection efficiency. It was proposed back in 1742 by Paul Jacques Malouin, a French scientist known for his work in the field of physics and chemistry. The text of the report for the Royal Academy of France contains a description of the method of applying a layer of Zn on the surface of the immersion of steel products in a bath with a melt, the ongoing processes are considered in detail.

Thermal galvanizing is the process of coating metal (iron, cast iron, steel) with a layer of zinc at high temperature. The technique consists in immersing the structure in molten metal, heated to 450-500 degrees. For uniform deposition of Zn on the surface, rapid filling of cavities in structures of complex shape, penetration into places of surface defects (crevices, pores, shells), the protected structure moves in the melt (or a current of molten metal is created relative to the structure) at a constant low speed.

Several processes are running at the same time:

• The surface of the steel product is heated, due to which intense diffusion of zinc into the surface layers is observed. Provides a high degree of adhesion of the coating, reliable adhesion to the surface.
• Zinc is introduced into the domain structures of the metal, forming a pseudo-alloy with steel, which has a high mechanical strength.
• At the surface, pure Zn reacts with oxygen to form an oxide. At high temperatures, the reaction with carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide) contained in the atmosphere proceeds intensively. As a result, the surface is covered with a film of zinc carbonate - a solid, chemically inert material with respect to most influences, which provides barrier protection against corrosion.

Thermal galvanizing has significant advantages:

• Simplicity of technologies for applying a layer of a given thickness (it is regulated by the temperature of the melt, the time the structure is in the bath, the speed of movement of the protected part in the zinc mass).
• Homogeneity of the protective coating, the possibility of using methods widely used in metallurgy (electromagnetic, magnetic and other meters) to control the thickness.
• Special film properties that improve the mechanical characteristics of the product. The upper soft layers dampen the impact energy, the internal pseudo-alloy array increases the mechanical strength. According to representatives of car manufacturers, after processing the finished body in zinc melt, the increase in structural strength can reach 50%.
• Self-monitoring of the surface of parts. Indeed, if the preparation of the surface of the metal (workpiece) is not carried out properly, the deposition of Zn on the site does not occur, the defect is detected visually or by instrumental methods.
• The quality of processing remains constant regardless of the nature of the surface - in open areas, in hidden cavities, even in the presence of invisible structural defects. At the most problematic places - corners and edges, due to the specifics of the process, the thickness of the protective layer increases (unlike other methods).
• Depending on the composition of the steel (the content of alloying components and impurities, including non-metals - phosphorus, sulfur, etc.), it is possible to change the appearance (due to the formation of various compounds), the thickness of galvanizing. Protective abilities remain unchanged.

The economic advantages of the technology should also be noted - the minimum processing time, the simplicity of process automation, which makes it possible to achieve high performance, low cost, the ability to work with structures of any size and shape. At the same time, the finished products do not require additional preparation before painting, and the adhesive ability ensures the quality of the paintwork application.

An additional advantage is the ease of regeneration of zinc protection. The ability to self-heal allows you not to use additional measures to repair minor defects. Large, easily eliminated by local treatment with zinc-containing primers, paints, repair mixtures (Zn, which is part of the composition, is involved in the chemical recovery processes).

This fact is also important - the coating does not impair the properties of the base material, for example, thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity.

Disadvantages of hot dip galvanizing

Despite many important benefits, the use of thermal technology for galvanizing car bodies has not become widespread. The reason for this is the shortcomings of the method:

• Ensuring the performance required for an automotive conveyor requires companies to make significant capital investments to equip galvanizing lines with large baths.
• Maintaining significant volumes of melt at a given temperature level is a task that requires serious energy consumption. This affects the cost of production, worsens the environmental component. Hefty fines in the light of current environmental legislation (eg in Japan and Europe) also have a serious negative economic effect.
• After the completion of the process, welding, drilling of holes, etc. violates the integrity of the protective coating. Accordingly, the design and manufacturing process become more complicated (it is required to provide for the maximum number of operations at the stages before galvanizing).
• Some types of work, such as welding, require special technologies and equipment.
• Structural calculation of parts must be carried out taking into account processing. Otherwise, additional surface loads can lead to mechanical failure.

As a result, despite the recognition of reliability, quality, and economic feasibility of hot-dip galvanizing, only some manufacturers use it to protect car bodies.

Car with hot-dip galvanized body.

Thermal technology is used by car manufacturers to obtain a protective zinc layer 2-100 microns thick on body parts (individual or entire structure). This allows:

• Ensure corrosion resistance of body structures for 15 years or more (the owner receives appropriate guarantees);
• Get coatings that are 3-4 times superior to others;
• Increase the resistance of products to mechanical damage (with minor impacts).

The complexity of manufacturing has limited the number of manufacturers using this security technology to its full extent.

The leader is the VW Group, which widely uses hot-dip galvanizing for cars of manufactured brands. Especially great achievements in the field of tread methods of the company Audi.

It was the world-famous Audi 80 that became the first production car model to receive a fully galvanized body. On the roads today, these cars (or no less high-quality Audi 100) are often found, the bodies of which still remain in perfect condition. As early as 1986, technology was practically used for all car brands.

The company is constantly improving technological processes obtaining protective coatings. The latest developments include the method of double-sided galvanizing not only of metal parts, but also of welded seam structures.

Thermal galvanizing for body parts is also used by Volvo. The complex of aluminum parts and galvanized steel products allows the brand's machines to be in the top reliability ratings for a long time.

Galvanized zinc.

Galvanizing by galvanizing is the application of a thin zinc layer on the surface of the product due to flowing through electrolytes special composition electric current. The technology is used to obtain layers with a thickness of 2–40 µm.

The technological process looks like this:

• A solution of electrolytes is placed in the electrolysis baths - acidic, containing Zn in the form of hydrating ions (sulfates, chlorides, fluoroborates), complex, in which Zn is part of the anions (cyanides, zincates, pyrophosphates) or cations (ammonia, ethylene diamines).
• The cathode of the installation is a protected metal structure.
• Anode - zinc electrode (or made of special zinc-containing compounds).

A direct current with a density of 1-5A / sq.dm is passed through the solution. Positively charged zinc ions are attracted to the cathode, restore the charge to neutral, forming a metal layer on the surface. The anode ensures the supply of Zn ions to the solution, making up for the losses.

Advantages and disadvantages of the method.

Electrolytic (galvanic) technology is the most widely used, due to its clear advantages:

• high performance;
• the possibility of processing parts and structures of complex configurations;
• density and uniformity of the layer, filling invisible small defects.

All the protective properties inherent in galvanizing are characteristic of the galvanized coatings. At the same time, equipment for performing operations and materials can somewhat reduce the cost of production, compared with the traditional thermal method.

Among the shortcomings of the technology are:

• The need for careful preparation (special treatment) of the protected surface.
• Smaller than hot-dip galvanizing adhesion and depth of diffusion of zinc into the material.
• The possibility (with inaccurate observance of technologies and process parameters) of a significant change in the electrochemical properties of steel, which may result in an increase in the tendency to develop corrosion processes.
• The manifestation of side effects, such as hydrogen saturation, causing an increase in the fragility of structures and a change in the electrochemical properties of the material.

In terms of capital costs and energy losses, galvanotechnology is comparable to thermal technology (volumetric baths, powerful current sources, additional energy costs to eliminate side effects are required). The method is also problematic from the point of view of ecology - most of the solutions used are poisonous and require special measures for processing.

However, the ease of implementation, process control, and accurate calculated results have led to wider adoption in the automotive industry.

Auto protected electrolytic galvanizing.

It is possible to achieve a high level of protection against galvanically deposited zinc coatings only with the use of a set of protective measures. This path was chosen by the leaders of the European automotive industry - BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Technologies used include:

• Manufacture of body parts from high-quality alloy steel with precise dosing of impurities;
• Galvanizing by galvanic method (layer thickness 9-15 microns) with exact observance of technological process parameters;
• Use of high-quality paint and varnish materials with special properties (adhesion, resistance to damage, UV exposure, etc.).

The result was no less impressive than Audi's tread efficiency while reducing production costs.

Cold galvanized.

The essence of the technology is to apply zinc-containing compositions with pre-selected characteristics to the surface of the protected parts. The result of using the compositions is the formation of a protective coating with anti-corrosion properties, approaching those obtained by other methods.

The advantages of cold technology include:

• Ease of operations, low cost - the compositions are applied as paintwork, do not require special equipment, additional chemicals, energy costs.
• Minimum restrictions on use - it is allowed to work in a wide temperature range (-20 .. +40 degrees), indoors and outdoors, in industrial or domestic conditions.
• High level of adhesion to metals and paintwork.
• Ability to work with structures of any geometric shape;
• Easy to repair damaged protective layers.
• Minimal impact on the environment.

Such a set contributes to the spread of the cold galvanizing method in the automotive industry, allowing it to be used even in the production of budget cars.

However, the quality of the resulting product may be significantly inferior to the results of the use of thermal or galvanic technologies.

• An acceptable degree of protection is achieved only with the use of high-quality compounds and careful preparation of parts;
• The resistance of the layer to mechanical stress is much lower;
• Treatment of hidden cavities and areas with limited access is difficult.

Zincrometal.

The technology differs radically from those described - it is not the finished product that is covered, but the metal (steel) at the manufacturing (rolled) stage. For this, inorganic compounds and organic polymers are used, with a high content of zinc and its oxides (soils).

The material, like most sheet steels, has excellent structural properties. It is easily molded, stamped, does not impose additional conditions during welding, is compatible with traditional primers, adhesives, varnishes and paints. The protective properties of these operations are not violated.

In the main - in terms of the degree of protection against corrosion, the material is significantly inferior to hot and galvanized galvanization. Therefore, as a rule, it is used only in inexpensive car brands, whose manufacturers, trying to stay in trend, declare a “galvanized body”.

Video about the types of galvanizing, simple and clear.

More about the types of galvanizing.

In addition to various galvanizing technologies, galvanized car bodies differ in the degree of processing:

• Complete- a protective coating is applied to all parts, hidden and hard-to-reach areas, cavities, etc. are covered. One- and two-sided are used.
• Partial- the sections located in the most unfavorable conditions are processed, necessarily - the nodal joints.
• nodal connections- only critical areas are protected - welds, installation sites for fasteners and the like.

As a partial, anti-corrosion protection of the bottom by galvanizing, it has become quite widespread. From the point of view of operation and cost, this method is fully justified. Another thing — full galvanized body. First of all, you should consider the cost and price of the car. In addition, environmental protection problems arise - environmentally unsafe chemicals are widely used during processing, the release of which into the atmosphere and water is almost impossible to prevent. The tightening of environmental legislation is the reason for the refusal of European, American, Japanese automakers from full galvanizing.

Is galvanizing effective?

This question is asked by many car owners. Of course, the argument “for” is a guarantee against through corrosion of the body for 7-15 (often more) years.

However, forum posts from car owners, expert opinions service centers give rise to doubt. Often there are stories showing that any type of galvanizing, under certain conditions, ceases to protect structural details. Moreover, acceleration of the corrosion process is often observed.

Examples are Audi 80 and 100, Volkswagen. Passat B3 and B5. These models come from the 80s, 90s, 2000s, respectively, serve as an example of high-quality processing, reliable protection. That is why their owners today cannot make claims - in most cases, despite their advanced age and, often, difficult operating conditions, the car body remains in perfect condition.

There are also "anti-heroes" of the process. These include, for example, Peugeot 307 (2004-2006). The galvanized body of these cars rusts faster than the raw metal of other automakers. Poor-quality composition violation of technologies, other reasons - to understand the experts. The conclusion for an ordinary motorist is simple - often the word "galvanized" is a good marketing ploy. To avoid the trick REMEMBER:

• Only cars with a full galvanized body can be considered really protected.
• In addition to the manufacturer's statements, one can judge the degree of reliability of the coating by the warranty period - at least 5-7, ideally - 15 years or more.
• Even with full galvanizing, a violation of technology can serve as a source of problems and lead to accelerated development of corrosion.
• Processes under the protective layer can develop covertly.

In a word, when buying a car, information about the type and technology of zinc coating will not be superfluous. Some of the information is listed below.

Galvanized car bodies (lists).

The most popular brands and models of cars on the Russian market are included in the lists by galvanizing technologies. In addition, the years of manufacture of the car, the degree of processing are indicated.

Hot dipped galvanized.

• Audi all models produced since 2001;
• Cadillac ATS (since 2012), BTS (since 2006), Catera, DeVille, Escalade, Seville (all since 2001), CTS, DTS, SRX, STS, XLR;
• Ford Escape, Expedition, Explorer, Fiesta, Focus, Galaxy, Maverick, Mustang, Mondeo, Taurus (all since 2001), C-Max, Fusion, Kuga, Ranger, S-Max, Tourneo Connect:
• Jaguar F Type;
• Peugeot 307 - one-way;
• Porsche - the entire model range;
• Volvo - Thermal technology is used for all models.

Partial, unilateral (unless otherwise noted):

• Audi A1, A2, A4 Allroad, TT (until 2001);
• Cadillac Catera, DeVille, Escalade, Seville (all before 2001);
• Ford Escape, Expedition, Explorer, Fiesta, Focus, Galaxy, Maverick, Mustang, Mondeo, Taurus (all before 2001).

Galvanized zinc.

Full, double-sided (unless otherwise noted):

• BMW – since 1998 bodies of all models;
• Chevrolet Astro, Blazer, Cruze, Express, Impala, Malibu, Nivam Suburban, Tracker (all from 2003), latest generation Camaro (from 2013), Corvette (from 2000), Tahoe (from 2006), Aveo, Captiva, Cobalt, Epica, Evanda, Lacetti, Lanos, Orlando, Rezzo, Sparkm TrailBlazer;
• Chrysler 300m Grand Voyager, Neon, Sebring (all since 2000), Aspen, Crossfire, Pacifica, PT Cruiser;
• Citroen Berlingo, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C8, Jumper, Xantia, Xsara Picasso (all since 2007), C3 Picasso, C4 Aircross and Picasso, C-Crosse, C-Elysee, DS3, DS4, DS5, Jumpy;
• Daewoo Evanda, Gentra, Lacetti, Matiz, Nexia, Rezzo, Sens, Winstorm (all since 2007);
• Dodge Avenger, Caliber, Caravan, Challenger, Charger, Dakota, Durango, Magnum, Neon, Ram (all from 2007), Viper (from 2000), Journey, Nitro;
• Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Element, Elysion, Fit, FR-V,HR-V, Insight, Inspire, Jazz, Legend, Mobilio, Odyssey, Partner, Stepwgn, Stream (all since 2005), Airwave, Crosstour , Pilot, Ridgeline;
• Infiniti EX Series, G Series, M Series (all since 2007), FX Series, JX Series, Q50, Q60, Q70, QX50, QC60, QX70, QX80;
• Jaguar S-Type, X-Type, XJ, XK (all since 2007), XE, XF;
• Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Commander, Liberty, Wrangler (all since 2007), Compass, Patriot, Renegade;
• Land Rover Discovery, Freelander, Range Rover (all since 2007), Defender, Discovery Sport, Range Rover Evoque and Sport;
• Lexus - all models since 2007:
• Mazda - auto production since 2007;
• Mitsubishi - since 2001 all cars;
• Nissan - since 2007 all cars produced.
• Mercedes-Benz - bodies of all models since 1999
• Mini - all:
• Opel - in 2008, partial gave way to full.
• Saab 9-2x, 9-3, 9-5, 9-7x (all since 2007);
• Since 1999, Seat has been producing cars only with full galvanization;
• Skoda - from 1999 to the present moment, serial cars receive full two-sided protection applied in a galvanized way;
• Subaru Forester, Impreza. Justy, Traviq (all since 2002), Baja, Brz, Legacy, R1, R2, Tribeca, WRX, XV;
• Suzuki - in 2007, the manufacturer abandoned cold galvanizing on all manufactured models in favor of full galvanizing.
• Toyota - since 2000, cars have been produced only in galvanized galvanized bodies. The company uses only full double-sided galvanizing for all serial models.

Partial:

• Chevrolet Astro, Blazer, Cruze, Express, Impala, Malibu, Niva, Suburban, Tracker (all before 2003), Camaro (up to and including 4th generation), Corvette (up to 2000);
• Fiat 500, 500L, Albea, Barchetta, Bravo, Doblo, Ducato, Freemont, Linea, Palio, Panda, Punto, Scudo, Siena, Stilo, Ulysse;
• Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Element, Elysion, Fit, FR-V, HR-V, Insight, Inspire, Jazz, Legend, Mobilio, Odyssey, Partner, Stepwgn, Stream (all before 2005);
• Opel until 2008 - all models;
• Peugeot 107, 2008, 206, 207, 208, 3008, 308 , 4007, 4008, 406, 407, 408, 508, 607, 807, Boxer, Expert, Partner - bilateral;
• Subaru Forester, Impreza. Justy, Traviq (all before 2002) - bilateral;

Cold galvanized.

Partial:

• Chery Amulet, Arrizo7, Bonus, Cross Eastar, Eastar , For a, Indis, Karry, Kimo, M11, QQ, QQ6, Tiggo, Very - one-sided;
• Citroen Berlingo, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C8, Jumper, Xantia, Xsara Picasso (all before 2007), Xsara;
• Daewoo Evanda, Gentra, Lacetti, Matiz, Nexia, Rezzo, Sens, Winstorm (all before 2007), Kalo, Lanos, Leganza, Magnus, Nubira;
• Dodge Avenger, Caliber, Caravan, Challenger, Charger, Dakota, Durango, Magnum, Neon, Ram (all - up to 2007), Viper (up to 2000);
• GreatWall, Haval - all models:
• Hyundai Accent (since 2001), Avante, Elantra, Getz, Grandeur, Matrix, Santa Fe, Sonata, Terracan, Tiburon, Tucson (all since 2005), Genesis, i20, i30, i40, ix35, ix55, Solaris;
• Infiniti EX Series, G Series, M Series (all before 2007), I Series, Q45;
• Jaguar S Type. X Type, XJ, XK (all before 2007);
• Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Commander, Liberty, Wrangler (all before 2007);
• Land Rover Discovery, Freelander, Range Rover (all before 2007);
• Lexus - all models, up to 2007;.
• Lifan (all cars);
• Mazda - until 2007;
• Nissan - everything from 2000 to 2007
• Saab 9-2x, 9-3, 9-5, 9-7x (all before 2007);
• Ssang Yong - the manufacturer applies zinc-containing compounds to parts of the body structures of all auto models;
• Suzuki - cars, produced before 2007;
• VAZ, GAZ - in 2009 they switched to partial cold galvanizing of all body structures;
• UAZ has been applying protective zinc-containing compounds since 1998.

Nodal connections:

• Fiat - almost all models produced at the end of the 20th century (until 2000);
• Hyundai - until 2005;
• VAZ, GAZ - began to use the protection of critical junctions since 1999.
• TagAZ - all currently produced models.

Body made of zinc metal.

• Kia Bongo, Carens, Carnival, Ceed, Cerato, Forte, Magentis, Mohave, Opirus, Optima. Picanto, Pride, Quoris, Rio, Shuma, Sorento, Soul, Spectra, Sportage, Venga;
• Renault has been producing zinc-metal bodywork for production vehicles from 2000 to the present.

Autumn comes into its own - and with it rains and sleet, which make us think about corrosion resistance. If you believe the reasoning in the smoking room and on the forums, only Audi does not rust, because "they have a lot of aluminum." In general, corrosion is a lottery. A new car can last for years without a single brown dot, or it can start to rust after a couple of winters. However, there are statistics that allow you to calculate the chances of corrosion with a car of a certain model.

Experts from the Swedish Institute for Corrosion Research selected 30 vehicles operated in countries with a northern climate in order to identify the relationship of corrosion with the design of body elements, manufacturing technology and factory anti-corrosion treatment. As a result, a list of cars prone to rust and cars with a minimum degree of risk was determined.

The study involved cars 2002-2005 model years after 3-6 years of operation. For analysis, details were taken from doors, hoods, rear fenders, and thresholds. Cars have driven on roads that are heavily treated with de-icing agents, which exacerbates the risk of corrosion.

So, it turned out that Audi A4, Volvo 70 series and Volkswagen Golf 2002-2003 onwards. and BMW 5-Series, Nissan Micra, Volvo 40-series and Renault Megane 2004-2005 - the most reliable rust fighters. Most likely, Mazda6 and Ford Focus 2002-2003 will rust in a couple of seasons. and Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Picanto and again Ford Focus 2004-2005 release.

Most Corrosion-Resistant Vehicles 2002-2003 Model Years

 . Audi A4
 . Volvo 70 series
 . Volkswagen Golf
 . Mercedes C class
 . Opel Astra
 . Renault Megane
 . Volvo 40-series
 . Volkswagen Passat [^]
 . Mitsubishi Carisma
 . Skoda Octavia
 . Nissan Micra
 . Peugeot 307
 . Citroen C5
 . Saab 9-5

Corroded cars 2002-2003 model years

 . Mazda6
 . Ford Focus
 . Seat Ibiza
 . Ford Mondeo
 . BMW 5 Series
 . Mercedes E class
 . Toyota Corolla
 . BMW 3 Series
 . Saab 9-3
 . Fiat Punto

The most resistant to corrosion cars 2004-2005 model years

 . bmw 5-series
 . Nissan Micra
 . Renault Megane
 . Volvo 40-series
 . Ford Mondeo
 . Peugeot 307
 . Saab 9-3
 . Fiat Punto
 . Volvo 70 series
 . Opel Astra
 . Saab 9-5
 . Skoda Octavia
 . Citroen C5
 . Volkswagen Golf

Corroded cars 2004-2005 model years

 . Hyundai Santa Fe
 . Kia Picanto
 . Ford Focus
 . Hyundai Tucson
 . Toyota Corolla
 . BMW 3 Series
 . Volkswagen Passat
 . Mercedes A class

Audi A4, Mazda 3, Mazda 6, Mercedes C-class, Mercedes E-class and Seat Ibiza were not evaluated in this rating. You may notice that some models have changed their place in the list. So, the BMW 5-Series significantly corrected the situation - the researchers explain this by the fact that since 2004 they began to install an aluminum hood instead of a steel hood on this model, and the quality of anti-corrosion treatment and sealant application at the joints was also improved. Aluminum hoods have also appeared since 2003 on the Saab 9-3 and since 2004 on the Mercedes E-Class.

Swedish experts criticize the Ford Focus for the poor quality of the sealant on the thresholds and doors and uneven treatment with anti-corrosion agents. Most weak spots at the car: hood, backdoor, thresholds, side doors. However, the quality of anti-corrosion treatment was improved in 2004-2005. The Mazda 6 lacked the interior side sill treatment, as did the Hyundai Santa Fe in the interior door cavities.

Some patterns can be calculated from the experience of owning cars. So, many Renault Megane owners complain about a weak roof, Chevrolet Lacetti- on rusty spots on the hood, Nissan - on the rear wheel arches, BMW E36 / E39 / E46 - on the arches and sills. Unlike the current ones, the third Golf is prone to rust.

There are many nuances that affect the appearance of corrosion on cars - salty sea air, harsh climate, the use of anti-icing agents. Even the design of the car and the methods of connecting body parts, the material used - aluminum justifies itself, but unpretentious plastic fenders are also good in this sense. Anti-corrosion factory treatment, as it turns out, may not be enough if a particular instance is poorly dyed and sealed. Perhaps the car will not interfere with the additional "anti-correction". Experts also advise regularly washing off dirt and road salt from the car and checking the paintwork for scratches and chips, under which corrosion can quickly spread.

And the most reliable way to save yourself from corrosion is to buy a DeLorean from the movie "Back to the Future". They say its body is made of stainless steel.

Those who understand at least a little about cars know that one of the most expensive elements in a car (and maybe the most ...) is the body. In most cases, when buying a car, we pay attention to the body, and only then to everything else (, interior, etc.).

It is the appearance of the car that plays the most important role, because if the appearance is spoiled by some kind of flaw, for example, a dent or rust, then it doesn’t matter how many “horses” this car has under the hood and what equipment it has. Often, under a layer of paint, which, at first glance, looks perfect, there is a layer of putty or, even worse, a center of corrosion, which some time after the purchase will cause a lot of inconvenience and pull a lot of money out of your pocket.

It is for these reasons that the galvanized body, as well as the all-aluminum car body, is so valued among buyers and is the standard for resistance to damage and corrosion. The problem lies elsewhere, it is quite difficult to find out which cars have this very galvanized or aluminum body. At the market or somewhere on the Internet, they can “hang” you and convince you that a protective coating is really applied to the body and in the future you will never have the question of what to do with a rotten threshold or arch. Today I want to talk about cars that really deserve attention, because they really have a galvanized body that has all the advantages of this type of protection, and I will also briefly touch on the topic of this coating technology.

How is a galvanized body made?

Cars with a galvanized body have a phenomenal length of "body life". The manufacturer gives a very impressive guarantee period- from 5-6 to 30 years old.

There are several methods for applying a protective coating:

• Galvanic;
• Hot dipped galvanized;
• Cold galvanized.

Galvanic galvanizing - video

The most stable during operation is considered to be the thermal method of galvanizing. Anti-corrosion protection lasts for 15-20 years, and with careful operation even longer. The coating is up to three times more resistant compared to the galvanized galvanization method. Even under mechanical stress, the body is not subject to corrosion.

If you have wondered about galvanizing and want to know for sure which cars have a galvanized body you need to know a few tricks. The fact is that some automakers, in order to improve the ratings of their cars and improve sales, indicate that the body is galvanized, although in reality this is not the case. More precisely, not quite so, the body was really galvanized, just not entirely, but only partially, that is, some parts of the body (wings, sills, bottom) most susceptible to decay during operation were covered with a protective zinc layer.

Car with galvanized body (hot method)

This method, as I have already said, is highly stable and durable, but at the same time, this technology is very expensive, so it is usually used by famous brands on expensive flagship models. For example, hot-dip galvanizing processes such car brands as:

• Volkswagen;

Note! If anyone is not aware, all of the above brands belong to Volkswagen, or rather the Volkswagen Group Corporation.

All of the listed brands of cars demonstrate excellent resistance to corrosion, both during tests in a salt chamber, and over the years of many years of operation.

It is no coincidence that Audi was in the first place in the ranking. The fact is that it was this company that was the first to take care of the protection of the bodies of their cars; it has a lot of developments and research on its account, including double-sided zinc protection of welded joints, and not just body parts. The first mass-produced Audi car with a galvanized body, which rolled off the assembly line in 1986, was the Audi 80. Without exception, all body surfaces of this model were covered with an anti-corrosion layer.

Among the model range of the Swedish auto giant there are also models that can boast body protection in the form of galvanization, and by the “hot” method. In addition to the fact that Volvo cars are recognized as the safest in the world, they are also resistant to corrosion, partial or full galvanization paired with aluminum body elements make these cars resistant to moisture and corrosion.

In addition to Volvo, the following cars have hot-dip galvanized bodies:

• Opel Vectra, ;
• Sierra, Ford Escort;
• Chevrolet Epica, ;

Cars with a galvanized body (galvanized method)

This technique works well only in combination with protective methods. German auto giants, eternal competitors: Mercedes and BMW, have succeeded in this technique. The latter has created his own formula for success, which is not inferior in efficiency to the technologies of the pioneer Audi.

The Bavarians' recipe for success was as follows:

• For the production of body parts, high-alloy steel was selected, purified from harmful inclusions and impurities;
• Then the metal was subjected to the procedure of galvanic galvanizing, by applying a layer of zinc (~9-15 microns);
• Next, a perfectly flat surface was covered with a thick layer of paint.

Such a sandwich gives an answer to the question why the old "Germans" still have not lost their former beauty and are still popular among buyers. Moreover, there are often cases when cars half the age of these German cars with a galvanized body simply crumbled along the road, unable to withstand the harsh Russian climate and aggressive reagents that are generously sprinkled on our roads in winter.

What about Japanese cars?

The "Japanese", although they can compete with the "Germans" in terms of speed, popularity and beauty, rarely occupy the first positions in the matter of protecting the body. Among all Japanese automakers, Honda can be distinguished, whose cars since 2005 have become more resistant to corrosion. If you want to buy a Honda with a galvanized body, you should pay attention to the following models:

• , Legend, CR-V, as well as .

In recent years, no less popular brand Toyota has increasingly begun to pay attention to the protective coating of the body. Cars began to receive a zinc-containing layer on the parts most susceptible to corrosion. However, the hidden cavities remain vulnerable as before, and still rust after a few years.

How about other automakers

Koreans and Chinese in most cases create only the illusion of protection, as a rule, it all comes down to simple marketing and the desire to compete with famous brands. Even if such a car is indeed galvanized, then be sure that it will be nothing more than ordinary cathodic primer with some zinc impurity.

As for the domestic manufacturer, unfortunately, as a rule, there can be no question of any protection. Cars at the age of 5 years can already "boast" of the presence of various "chiryaks", foci of corrosion and through holes. Bodies not only do not contain minimal protection, they are also made of thin metal, which rots very quickly from a large amount of moisture and reagents.

Well, like everything. Now you know which cars have a galvanized body and in case of purchase, you are unlikely to be misled. That's all for me, give your examples of protected bodies noteworthy. If I missed something or there is a typo somewhere, I apologize. Thank you for your attention and see you at . Bye.

Finally, I recommend watching a video on how the galvanization and zinc coating procedure is performed.

One of the car's worst enemies is moisture. It is able to penetrate under the paint on the body, as a result of which the metal begins to rot. This process is called corrosion. There is different ways anti-corrosion of cars, and one of them is galvanizing. The fact is that a galvanized body prevents the penetration of moisture for a long time, but sooner or later even such cars rot. Let's figure out which cars have a galvanized body, what are the methods of galvanizing in general.

Let's start with the fact that such a characteristic cannot guarantee complete protection against car rotting. Some manufacturers (European, Japanese, Korean, American) actually produce cars in fully galvanized bodies, while others only partially galvanize some parts. Naturally, the quality will suffer.

To understand how things are with galvanized cars, you first need to understand the three well-known methods of galvanizing the body.

Thermal galvanizing

The most reliable and efficient method is used by Group. We are talking about thermal galvanization. This method of corrosion control is expensive, but effective. Because of him, the car greatly adds to the price, but the result is worth it. This method will be discussed in more detail below.

Galvanized galvanizing

Galvanized galvanizing can be used for complete bodywork, as well as for individual elements. This is a simpler technology for protecting vulnerable areas of the body. Often, the bottom of the car, sills and arches are subjected to galvanic galvanization - the places most vulnerable to corrosion. Partial anti-corrosion treatment used for inexpensive cars that are sold in bulk.

Cold galvanizing

The last method is cold galvanizing. This method resembles the previous one in technology, but this one is even simpler and cheaper. Some car owners can process body parts in this way in their garages. The car does not need to be immersed in a special zinc-containing solution for this. The solution itself is applied to the body using an electrode that is connected to the positive terminal while connected to the negative terminal). Some car services offer a service for processing car body elements, however, complete processing will not work in this way. Since this method is not used by car manufacturers, it is not worth describing it in detail.

Which cars are thermally galvanized?

It is impossible to list all the cars that are produced with galvanized bodies. There are a lot of them, and the list is constantly updated. At a minimum, all cars of the Audi and Volkswagen brands after the year 2000 have fully galvanized bodies. Also, the following car brands have an anti-corrosion coating applied using heat treatment:

1. Porsche 911.
2. Ford Escort.
3. "Ford Sierra";
4. Opel Astra and Vectra (after 1998).
5. Volvo 240 and older models.
6. Chevrolet Lacetti.

Galvanized machines

Cars that have undergone the procedure of galvanized galvanization:

1. Honda. Models Accord, CR-V, Legend, Pilot.
2. Chrysler.
3. "Audi" (all after the 80th model).
4. Skoda Octavia.
5. "Mercedes".

It is possible to list the brands and models of cars for a very long time, because there are many unknown or little-known manufacturers that make cars with galvanized bodies. Among experts, there is an opinion that the most best body have Audi cars. The concern produces galvanizing by galvanizing, covering the entire body with an anti-corrosion layer. However, according to reviews, it is known that such well-known cool cars as the Porsche 911 or Volkswagen Passat have bodies that do not rot for decades. Korean manufacturers Kia and Hyundai are produced with galvanized bodies. The same can be said about many other quality cars that have undergone thermal or galvanic galvanization.

As for Chinese or Russian cars, anti-corrosion coating is also applied here, but not on all models. For example, Chinese Cherry CK and MK series machines rot fairly quickly. Sometimes manufacturers simply deceive the consumer, passing off ordinary cataphoretic primer with an admixture of zinc as a galvanized body.

To summarize, Audi, Volkswagen, BMW, Porsche are the main manufacturers that mainly produce models with fully galvanized bodies. In general, if in the characteristics of the car there is no word "full" near the term "galvanization", then we can assume that there is an anti-corrosion coating only on some parts of the body. Most often we are talking about the bottom and threshold.

Now you know which cars have a galvanized body, but in any case, when buying a car, you need to clarify this point, referring to the technical specifications.

Features of thermal galvanization

Given that there are different zinc methods, it is logical to explain how they differ from each other. As already mentioned above, heat treatment is used only by large European manufacturers. The bottom line is this: the car body is completely immersed in a special zinc-containing solution. After that, the composition is heated to the desired temperature, as a result of which the zinc particles stick to the metal. A thin film is formed on the surface of the metal, which does not allow moisture to pass through and prevents oxidation.

Cars with such bodies are shown top scores in salt chambers. Some manufacturers generally give large warranties for a body that has been processed in this way. Sometimes the warranty period is up to 30 years. The minimum service life of such vehicles is at least 15 years. That is, during all this time, the body will not even begin to rust.

Not every manufacturer can afford this technology. As mentioned above, this method is used in cars of the VW Group concern: Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, Seat.

Also, some other manufacturers can boast that they make similar bodies. In particular, the body on the Ford Escort is thermally galvanized. The new Opel Astra and Vectra models, as well as the Chevrolet Lacetti are no exception.

All these cars are more expensive compared to their counterparts due to the high cost of implementing such anti-corrosion treatment technology.

How is galvanizing carried out?

This method is simpler and more concise, but less effective. However, automakers still give long-term processed in this way.

The process of applying an anti-corrosion layer by electroplating is simpler:

1. The car body or any part of it is immersed in a container containing an acid solution of zinc.
2. Connect the negative terminal from the power source to the body.
3. The capacitance itself is connected to the positive terminal.

With this connection, electrolysis is carried out in the tank. As a result of this process, zinc particles dissolve and stick to the car body. This forms a protective layer, which also prevents the oxidation process and repels moisture. This method is easier and cheaper. Therefore, galvanized machines are also more affordable. However, the efficiency and service life of such a coating is lower. A body with a thermally applied anti-corrosion coating will resist moisture much longer.

The leaders among automakers who zinc their cars in a galvanized way are BMW and Mercedes.

Partial galvanized

Many manufacturers use only partial galvanization, passing it off as complete. This applies primarily to Chinese, Russian brands, as well as some Korean manufacturers. For example, "Lada Granta" and "Lada Kalina" are partially galvanized. The bodies of these cars are covered with a protective anti-corrosion layer by 40%, but this is not bad either. Here, the thresholds and the bottom of the car are treated with an anti-corrosion compound. In this case, we are talking about one-sided galvanization. The second side (internal) is painted and primed in traditional ways.

This approach allows manufacturers to save money and produce classes designed for the mass buyer. But this does not prevent us from talking about anti-corrosion treatment in commercials, because it really does take place.

Conclusion

A car with a galvanized body is not a novelty. Technologies for applying anti-corrosion coatings have been known for a long time. But do not pay attention to the loud statements of manufacturers. First of all, you need to look at the warranty period that the concerns give for the manufactured bodies.