chuff Posted October 3, 2021 Share Posted October 3, 2021 I've been struggling with the quality of galv recently. Are there any galvanisers that people have used recently which turn out a half decent looking job? NOT like the pictures attached. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted October 3, 2021 Share Posted October 3, 2021 They all seem owned by Wedge group from what I can make out. I wish there were more small independents but I don't think they exist? I got a batch done by one of the wedge group near Birmingham. Seemed ok, bit rough in places so I'm not sure it would be much of an improvement on yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuff Posted October 3, 2021 Author Share Posted October 3, 2021 Old factory galv for comparison. I've asked a few different vendors and they have all said there's nothing wrong with what I have received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted October 3, 2021 Share Posted October 3, 2021 (edited) The top photo looks a bit naff, but I am no expert. Are you going to paint it? Edited October 3, 2021 by reb78 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted October 4, 2021 Share Posted October 4, 2021 Industrial finish they call it...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted October 4, 2021 Share Posted October 4, 2021 It's the size of the spangle. Modern processes result in a smaller spangle, so you don't get the large "leaves" in the finish. Or so I'm told. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sparkes Posted October 4, 2021 Share Posted October 4, 2021 How can people give any sort of sensible or appropriate recommendations when there is no location in your profile? Regards 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 4, 2021 Share Posted October 4, 2021 Moved as it is not Defender specific. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuff Posted October 4, 2021 Author Share Posted October 4, 2021 Location is cotswolds. No it's bare galv for my old 90. Spangle is an effect of only zinc, lead and antimony is/was added as a wetter and run off agent. I think the problem is the kettle temp not being high enough and it's solidifying instantaneously. There must be one in the UK who still get spange!? We did it until 10 years ago. Attached image gate frames from around 2011 - compared to this years offerings from the same factory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted October 4, 2021 Share Posted October 4, 2021 All the stuff I had done by Wessex galv down near Southampton was great, but still not like the old stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daan Posted October 4, 2021 Share Posted October 4, 2021 The one in Peterborough did an almost mirror finish job of my chassis. The Southampton one did my bumper, among other things, but the finish was very rough, presumably due to foreign objects in the bath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted October 5, 2021 Share Posted October 5, 2021 Probably worth your time having a chat with some of the Series/Defender restoration places to see who they use for stuff that's staying exposed and not painted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nonimouse Posted October 5, 2021 Share Posted October 5, 2021 Ive used McArthurs in Brizzle and Newport Galvanisers in the delightful city of Newport, South Wales. Both have done a reasonable job. I've been going to McArthurs for almost 35 years and they did mention a few years back, that galvanising isn't as good as it was. Mind, that's the same with everything. Custard Creams aren't what they were (even Tesco's own), nor is Vimto, or the weather 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallfry Posted October 5, 2021 Share Posted October 5, 2021 That second photo looks more like hot zinc spray to me, rather than hot dip ? Neighbour has got a new field gate. Been on two weeks. That has spangles ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonb Posted October 5, 2021 Share Posted October 5, 2021 (edited) According to the interweb, https://www.galvinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2017/05/GalvInfoNote_2_6.pdf the larger spangles are due to impurities in the zinc particularly lead. Nowadays the amount of lead is much reduced or even non existent which results in the finish many have commented on. Neither my 90 or S3 chassis have much spangle, however the new council lamp post at the end of the drive has some, but its nothing like the the "old stuff" - applies to lamp posts and chassis! Edited October 5, 2021 by simonb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Strangeglove Posted October 5, 2021 Share Posted October 5, 2021 The lead content in galv is much less than it used to be. I used to be a sheet metal worker so delt with galvanized sheets on a daily basis. I have not seen a good spangle on galv sheets for a few years. I believe the older galv was better. Making coatings more environmentally acceptable does not always work out as the coated part does not last as long so you have to replace it quicker. Creosote is a perfect example of this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted October 5, 2021 Share Posted October 5, 2021 Thankfully you can still buy proper creosote... it isnt as easy to get though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missingsid Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 Isn't that the same story with US chrome vs European? Dosnt the US use Hexavalent chromium and gets a deeper shine but the EU banned it as it is somewhat carcinogenic? Or am I mixing up the facts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonb Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 Nope I think you are correct, hence why we now have Teflon (swivel) balls. 🤨 The shiny bits of aircraft landing gear legs (the oleo/damper part) used to be chromed but I don't think they are (allowed to be) now. I guess its the same for the hydraulic ram shafts on the big yellow diggers from Mr Bamford.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 26 minutes ago, simonb said: Nope I think you are correct, hence why we now have Teflon (swivel) balls. 🤨 The shiny bits of aircraft landing gear legs (the oleo/damper part) used to be chromed but I don't think they are (allowed to be) now. I guess its the same for the hydraulic ram shafts on the big yellow diggers from Mr Bamford.... @western might know the answer to that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Poore Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 23 hours ago, reb78 said: Thankfully you can still buy proper creosote... it isnt as easy to get though! Really? https://www.creosotesales.co.uk/product-category/traditional-creosote/ I think when we bought 4 drums of it we didn't even have to prove we were a farm - I think we might have added farm to the end of the address which we don't usually do. Admittely it was a few years back but post 2003. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stellaghost Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 1 minute ago, Ed Poore said: Really? https://www.creosotesales.co.uk/product-category/traditional-creosote/ I think when we bought 4 drums of it we didn't even have to prove we were a farm - I think we might have added farm to the end of the address which we don't usually do. Admittely it was a few years back but post 2003. Agree with this I bought some 2 years ago no issues from local agricultural supplier regards Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 17 minutes ago, Ed Poore said: Really? https://www.creosotesales.co.uk/product-category/traditional-creosote/ I think when we bought 4 drums of it we didn't even have to prove we were a farm - I think we might have added farm to the end of the address which we don't usually do. Admittely it was a few years back but post 2003. All I meant was that you cant walk into b&q and get it when you run short at a weekend anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missingsid Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 I seem to recall a similar thing with alloy wheel cleaner, car cleaning companies can buy strong stuff but Joe public can't. Thing is just because you own a company does not immediately make you any more knowledgeable. Being a professional just means you get paid for it. An expert can be an amateur with decades of experience. Sorry ranting again. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallfry Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 15 hours ago, missingsid said: Thing is just because you own a company does not immediately make you any more knowledgeable. Being a professional just means you get paid for it. An expert can be an amateur with decades of experience. Sorry ranting again. Times I have said exactly this to people ! The whole situation nowadays about not be able to get anything that actually works make you like it. It does me, anyway. Paint stripper is another one. And Fairy Powerspray Incidentally, my address does actually have "Farm" on the end, and it is dead handy for getting stuff like chemicals and creosote etc no questions asked ! Also you CANNOT get proper creosote any more. You can only get what they now market as "Traditional" creosote, which is only supplied to those who do it for a living (professionals), but is a shadow of its former self. It has no Naptha in it for a start, and it does not soak into the timber like the old stuff did. Stuff called Creocote that is available to DIYers is not even worth bothering with. A good substitute we find is 50/50 used diesel engine oil and Diesel fuel. Red is cheaper if you can get it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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