HeliRy Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 Probably a dumb question, but I honestly don’t know much about the stuff lol. Anyways, I’ve seen a few Defenders done up in a sort of “classic” resto-mod look with exposed galvanized capping along the tub and rear quarter. Probably not for everyone but I dig it. So then it got me wondering, does that exposed metalwork require any sort of extra TLC or steps involved to keep it looking fresh? Or being galvanized… does it just take care of itself? Just rivet it on and forget about it? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallfry Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 You are correct. Hot dip galv needs no maintenance, and lasts for many, many years. It will lose its "new" look though, and turn to a pleasing (to me) dull grey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeliRy Posted January 12 Author Share Posted January 12 1 hour ago, smallfry said: You are correct. Hot dip galv needs no maintenance, and lasts for many, many years. It will lose its "new" look though, and turn to a pleasing (to me) dull grey. That’s good to know, thanks! So my next question, is it a social faux-pas in the Land Rover community to do that merely for a more classic aesthetic? Or does anything go… short of lowering it with 22” wheels and a silly spoiler 🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northwards Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 I’m sure I’m not really qualified to say whether it’s a faux-pas or not, but when I replaced the cappings on my 1994 110 SW I used galvanised ones and didn’t bother painting them. I did this in 2008 so I can’t actually remember my thoughts at the time - whether I intended to have them painted or not but either way it didn’t happen and it’s not going to now. I compounded things later by fitting galvanised rear corners (where the indicators/brake lights go). It’s all dulled down nicely, as smallfry said, and I’ve no worries about it. I’d post a pic but don’t have any on this device. They’ve been on now for what, 15 years, in a part of the world where our roads are heavily salted for 4 or 5 months of the year and I’ve no reason to think they won’t be as good as new for at least another 15! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigi_H Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 (edited) My MY´83 has galvanized cappings and they still look fine. There is only litle rust in the inside corners. Best is, that electrochemical potential of zinc is almost the same as aluminium. No separation necessary. I didn´t even paint my new galvanized chassis. Edited January 13 by Sigi_H 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 Had a set of galvanised ones on my 90 for years, never looked out of place. I did paint them when I rebuilt it but that was just personal choice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaklander Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 I left mine in the ‘natural’ state and can’t wait until I replace the corners too. The replacement front doors also match 😳 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallfry Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 No faux pas. I think they look "right". Too many people these days are colour coding and trying to make the vehicle look too car like. Been there, done that, cost a lot of money, and will not do it again. Its a utility truck ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Drumstick Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 21 hours ago, HeliRy said: That’s good to know, thanks! So my next question, is it a social faux-pas in the Land Rover community to do that merely for a more classic aesthetic? Or does anything go… short of lowering it with 22” wheels and a silly spoiler 🤣 All Series (I, II & III) have galv capping from the factory. As do early 90/110/127 models. I think they only started painting them when the door handles changed sometime around 1986 +- Here is an early 110 with the galv capping, note the rear light panel also galv, just like a Series vehicle. Also note the sliding windows and different coloured door top. Here is an early 90 with the lift up door handles, but it has the roll down windows and 1 piece doors. They also has some galv trim below the window line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 I’ve got them on my Td5 90 - that was prompted because the old ones rotted out and I didn't want that to happen again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeliRy Posted January 14 Author Share Posted January 14 Thanks for all the info and photos gang, greatly appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Hunter Posted January 14 Share Posted January 14 On 1/11/2024 at 6:15 PM, HeliRy said: Defenders done up in a sort of “classic” resto-mod look with exposed galvanized capping along the tub and rear quarter. Probably not for everyone but I dig it. Thanks! On 1/12/2024 at 2:52 PM, HeliRy said: So my next question, is it a social faux-pas in the Land Rover community to do that merely for a more classic aesthetic? Or does anything go… short of lowering it with 22” wheels and a silly spoiler 🤣 Welcome to the forum. This is the place where you can find an incredible amount of help and technical information. The Land Rover Community doesn’t do it for a more aesthetic look. The galvanised cappings are a part of the original body as built by Land Rover. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallfry Posted January 14 Share Posted January 14 13 hours ago, Chicken Drumstick said: All Series (I, II & III) have galv capping from the factory. As do early 90/110/127 models. I think they only started painting them when the door handles changed sometime around 1986 +- I had a 1989 90 in Arran Beige, just before the name change to Defender came about in 1990, this had galv cappings, but were painted in body colour. Maybe they stopped the galv at this point ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted January 14 Share Posted January 14 6 hours ago, Troll Hunter said: Welcome to the forum. This is the place where you can find an incredible amount of help and technical information. The Land Rover Community doesn’t do it for a more aesthetic look. The galvanised cappings are a part of the original body as built by Land Rover. Mike I do like the look of them though ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigi_H Posted January 14 Share Posted January 14 (edited) My opinion is, that this old trucks are harmonizing with galvanized surfaces very well. Even my front winch bumper is not painted and the rear cross member of the chassis is visible. Together with blank aluminium parts it looks pretty good. Here in the forum there was a thread about bulkheads. There is one picture with a unpainted galvanized one. 👍 I will do the same, when necessary. I "borrowed" the pic Edited January 14 by Sigi_H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted January 14 Share Posted January 14 Wow - that looks way better than I would have expected it to. 🤔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.