Lacquer to protect galvanised steel

[SimonD]

I have a bike rack from Oz and horizontal and vertical support tubes are galvanised steel http://www.isi-carriers.com/customers/isi-bicycle-carrier-customers.html. The salty roads here are attacking the Zinc plating which is acting as a sacrificial metal. I could simply let it happen and galvanise them again at some stage. However, I want to lacquer them. Can anybody recommend a clear lacquer to protect the support tubes?

 

[Rodger]

Hi Simon,

You'll probably need a polyester lacquer (that's the industry norm) but you'll need a quality item, so forget Halfords etc.
For the lacquer to work you'll need to get every bit of wax,oil, road film, mud and oxidation off and all traces of moisture.
I would suggest talking with a specialist paint manufacturer who does small quantities, someone like Marcel Guest in Collyhurst, Manchester. Very helpful people (although it is some years since I had reason to call upon their specialist knowledge).

Alternatively, it might be worth having the zinc removed and powder coating them, but then that also deteriorates in time.

Hope that helps.
Regards,

 

[SimonD]

Thanks Rodger. HMG were very quick to reply and said:

I presume you are going to spray the product i recommend, the usual two pack product used for this type of application is Acrythane Clearcoat which is ultra tough and has a UV reflectant built in. If any Galv is showing it will need to be Mordant Washed and Etch Primed to ensure adhesion. Acrythane is available as a colour as well which is Acrythane XSC21 which is available in BS and RAL shades as well as to pattern. Acrythane is an Isocyanate and will therefore need air-fed masks when spraying.

The lacquer looks like it is used in marine applications a lot. I'm guessing i'll therefore need a marine spray-shop - any recommendations on the South Coast?

 

[Rodger]

Hi Simon,

HMG were always a really helpful company, maybe worth asking them if they know of anybody nearer to you who has the equipment and the ability to apply the lacquer. They have customers all over the place.

Regards,