Galvanising small items

Good evening, and may I ask for some thoughts from the assembled expertise on the subject of hot dip galvanising small items.

I am in the throes of restoring a 1963 Series 2a Land Rover, and would very much like to re-galvanise the body cappings. I'm planning to repaint the original aluminium panels and it's going to look really naff with new paint alongside 60 year old dissolved and rusting galvanising if I don't do something to give the body cappings a face lift. I could paint them, but that's a cop-out!

I hear all sorts of horror stories about small items getting lost in the bottom of the zinc bath, never to be seen again. Or getting bashed about by girt big heavy stuff and coming out unusable.

In terms of actual dimensions, one of the largest items would be the spare wheel carrier off the bonnet - say 12 inches diameter by 2 inches deep. Otherwise the body cappings are typically a 3 inch cube, and the rear body rails are say 1 inch angle section by 4 feet long,

Does anyone have any experience of having small light weight stuff hot dip galvanised and maybe a recommendation for a "responsible" galvanisers? I'm in Gloucestershire but distance wouldn't be a problem if I could find a reliable solution.

Suggestions please.

One last comment - no, electroplating just isn't going to be suitable.

With many thanks in anticipation as always.

Simon

Hi Simon, To a degree it is pot luck BUT take pictures of the item before hand. Wedge group have bought up many small local galvaizing plants, they have a a min charge, so a small order could be costly, their work is mostly good. BUT there will be some fettleing after wards . all parts will need a 3mm hole to string the parts together, DO NOT use mig wire or you WILL loose the bits. PM me. Good Luck Noel.

I have had a few things galvanised but not recently by these https://www.frankhand.co.uk/ not connected in any way. They are in Nottingham and had some gates to keep out children from caves in Derbyshire and included the main parts and smaller locking parts as well with no problem other than having to ease pivot holes and tapped holes.

David

When I had a gate done it was so much per tonne or part thereof, so potentially expensive. Explain no paperwork or receipt and cash payment and the price suddenly became much more reasonable.

Edited By duncan webster on 18/09/2021 10:56:04

Hi Simon

I used Medway Galvanisers in Kent about 10 years ago for exactly the same process on a 2A, quite expensive compared to another quote I got at the time. Very pleased with it, It wasn't claggy like some I've seen and they didn't lose anything, I was asked for a complete list and photo's of all items before they quoted.

Sold the vehicle once finished but it still looks good to this day (actually better as it's toned down nicely) . they are a big industrial concern and I couldn't broker a cash deal! They must still be in business as I frequently see their truck around.

Dave

Turns out it was nearly 15 years, where does time go???