Zinc Coated Frame rails

Discussion in 'Kenworth Forum' started by SBLGFD, May 30, 2014.

  1. SBLGFD

    SBLGFD Bobtail Member

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    Good Afternoon to all and thanks in advance for the reply's,

    We ordered a T800 tandem for a fire truck chassis and due to the new deicer they use on the roads here and the expected life of the chassis in our application of 25+ years we went with the Zinc coated frame rails . The truck arrived at the dealer yesterday and when we look at it we can see no obvious signs that their is anything other than the standard Black paint on the rails.

    The question I have is - Does anyone have this option or has anyone seen the end result - can you tell they were coated ( do they look different?). Do I need to remove a bolt or something to see if the coating is under the paint?


    Thoughts?

    Thanks

    SBLGFD
     
  2. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    They probably primed the bare metal with zinc chromate then sprayed regular black paint over that.
     
    chalupa Thanks this.
  3. chalupa

    chalupa Road Train Member

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    In industrial applications ( just got out of school ) zinc is blended in with the primer at x per gallon per mfg specifications. It is a super rust preventative. Used all the time but mostly in primer. Ask KW for the paint specs. ( not dealer, up fitter who does your chassis add ons. )

    Like the soup, it's in there.....
     
  4. JordanJay31

    JordanJay31 Bobtail Member

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    And he NAILS one outa the park.... But it's foul!
    No, I'm kidding. That's exactly right. It's in the paint. You can zinc chromate the bare metal (I have done this to Monte Carlo and a jeep wrangler after bodywork and and paint jobs brought down to bare metal) but for the use and purpose here it's gotta be "one with the paint". Otherwise it's essentially "covered up with primer and paint". Take ships and barges for example, when they put zinc plates on there hulls (won't see them because their under water line) they are bare and on top of paint.