Scratched galvanized item

[MikeKParticipant @mikek40713]

I figure you guys have experience with this, so I’m asking for your advice.

I ordered two of these window wells.  This is common in the area of the US where I live…A full basement, with windows, and these window wells on the exterior.

Anyway the two I ordered arrived damaged.  The image shows part of one.  (The ad photo makes it look chromed, but it isn’t.)  They’re both damaged this way, full length, both sides.  Hard to believe the stamping machine made all of the curves and bends flawless and then totally screwed it at the ends.  The product is “galvanized steel”, which to my understanding is just a surface treatment and will rust when damaged in this way.  The part below ground will, I assume, rust…but at least will be out of sight.  The part above ground, will look kind of trashy.

Dealing with customer service is a huge pain.  Send them back, wait for replacements, pray the new ones aren’t damaged.

Would you just attempt a fix?  And if so, how?  I suppose smooth the rough gouges and spray with a galvanizing paint?  The skeptic in me says such a thing probably doesn’t bond well.

Mike

[Perko7Participant @perko7]

I’m no expert, but I understand that the galvanising on the surface should be able to cope with minor scratches without impairing its ability to protect the metal beneath. Have a close look, it may not be that the galvanised coating has been actually removed but maybe just ‘polished’ by the movement of the dies in the stamping machine. If it appears that the galvanised coating has actually been removed, then I think those scratches may be too big for the residual galvanising to protect.

There are ‘cold galvanising’ paints available, not sure how effective they are though.

I have some galvanised items like that which I have rubbed back around the area of the scratches and painted with a zinc-rich grey primer then painted over with a silver paint similar to the appearance of the galvanising. Seems to work ok, certainly looks reasonably good, and have lasted a couple of years so far without any rust appearing.

Hope this helps.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi Mike, in my day jobs that I had, we used this Bright Cold Galvanize to make repairs to galvanized products which had missed spots after being sent to the galvanizing company, and any items where we had to grind off the galvanizing to weld additional pieces on. It worked well, but I don’t know how long lasting it was, and I guess the environmental conditions would probably make a difference. Don’t know if you can get this brand where you are, but there maybe something similar.

This is some of the typical metalwork that we may have had to do some touching up on, which we made and installed, in my penultimate day job.

Regards Nick.

[CirclipParticipant @circlip]

If  you’re not happy with the condition as supplied, Elvis made a song about it – – –

regards  Ian.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

I fancy the press dies have marked the surface but not torn off the zinc. I’m with others that there will be residual protection and that a coat of zinc rich paint will work. Good Luck Noel.

[MikeKParticipant @mikek40713]

Great, thanks guys.

Mike

 

[Nicholas Farr]

On Nicholas Farr Said:

Hi Mike, in my day jobs that I had, we used this Bright Cold Galvanize to make repairs to galvanized products which had missed spots after being sent to the galvanizing company, and any items where we had to grind off the galvanizing to weld additional pieces on. It worked well, but I don’t know how long lasting it was, and I guess the environmental conditions would probably make a difference. Don’t know if you can get this brand where you are, but there maybe something similar.

This is some of the typical metalwork that we may have had to do some touching up on, which we made and installed, in my penultimate day job.

Regards Nick.

We had something very similar, by Rust-Oleum.  And it’s two blocks from where I’m having lunch today.  I’ll do that instead of putting this project off further.

Mike

[Circlip]

On Circlip Said:

If  you’re not happy with the condition as supplied, Elvis made a song about it – – –

regards  Ian.

My blue suede shoes can’t help me out of a jam…this time.

Mike

 

[CirclipParticipant @circlip]

No Mike but he did suggest Return to sender.

Regards Ian.

[MikeKParticipant @mikek40713]

At least you didn’t tell me to go to the Heartbreak Hotel.  Thanks, Ian.

Regards, Mike.

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Galvanizing is somewhat self healing.  If scratched through to the base metal it sets up an electric current in the presence of moisture which electroplates the damaged area with zinc from adjacent areas.  It certainly works well with traditional galvanizing but that zinc plated steel has a rather thin coating so might not be as effective.

Russell

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

I think the scratches will not affect the long term finish,they are unlikely to be right through the zinc. A decent paint finish will give you extra protection and look good.

Modern industrial roofing is very thin galvanised steel with a plastic coating, and when it is cut, nothing is needed to protect the edges of the sheets.

[MikeKParticipant @mikek40713]

Thanks all for the reassurance.

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

Decent galvanising paint spray paint comes in a tin much (like double) heavier than ordinary paint. We have Rustoleum over here with 86% zinc. Shaking the can will give you quite a work out.

[Martin ConnellyParticipant @martinconnelly55370]

At work we used a zinc rich paint on any cut edges of galvanized cable trays. Just applied with a small brush.

Martin C

[MikeKParticipant @mikek40713]

I’ll have to check the MSDS for the Rust-Oleum, to see if it lists a zinc %.  I have to wait for drier, less humid weather before I can do anything.  I’m dying to get this one well in, as I have 7 after that.

Mike

 

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