What is galvanized car body: description and list of models
Content
Corrosion is rightfully considered the main enemy of metal. If the metal surface is not protected, then it quickly collapses. This problem is also relevant for car bodies. The paint coat protects, but it is not enough. One of the solutions was the galvanizing of the body, which significantly extended its service life. This is not the easiest and cheapest method of protection, so manufacturers have different approaches to galvanizing methods.
What is galvanizing
An oxidation process takes place on the unprotected metal. Oxygen penetrates deeper and deeper into the metal, gradually destroying it. Zinc also oxidizes in air, but a protective film forms on the surface. This film prevents oxygen from penetrating inside, stopping oxidation.
Thus, the zinc-coated base is excellently protected against corrosion. Based on the processing method, the galvanized body can last up to 30 years.
Help. AvtoVAZ began to use partial galvanizing of the body only in 1998.
Technology and types of galvanizing
The main condition for galvanizing is a clean and level surface that will not be subjected to bends and impacts. In the automotive industry, several processing methods are used:
- hot-dip galvanized (thermal);
- galvanic;
- cold.
Let's consider the technology and the result of each of the methods in more detail.
Hot
This is the safest and best type of galvanizing. The car body is completely immersed in a container of molten zinc. The liquid temperature can reach 500 ° C. This is how pure zinc reacts with oxygen to form zinc carbonate on the surface, which stops corrosion. Zinc covers the entire body from all sides, as well as all joints and seams. This allows automakers to provide a body warranty for up to 15 years.
In other areas, parts processed in this way can last 65-120 years. Even if the paintwork is damaged, the zinc layer begins to oxidize, but not the metal. The thickness of the protective layer is 15-20 microns. In industry, the thickness reaches 100 microns, making the parts almost permanent. Also, scratches during hot working tend to self-tighten.
Audi was the first to use this technology on the Audi A80. Later this method was used by Volvo, Porsche and others. Despite the high cost of hot-dip galvanizing, the method is used not only on premium cars, but also on budget models. For example, Renault Logan or Ford Focus.
Electroplating
In the electroplating method, zinc is applied to the metal using electricity. The body is placed in a container with zinc-containing electrolyte. This method saves on substance consumption, since zinc covers the metal with an absolutely even layer. The thickness of the zinc layer during the galvanic method is 5-15 microns. Manufacturers give a guarantee up to 10 years.
Since electroplating is less protective, many manufacturers improve the quality of the metal, thicken the zinc layer, and add a layer of primer.
This method is used by such brands as Skoda, Mitsubishi, Chevrolet, Toyota, BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes and some others.
Help. Since 2014, UAZ has been using galvanic galvanizing on Patriot, Hunter, Pickup models. Layer thickness 9-15 microns.
Cold
It is a simple and inexpensive way to protect the body from corrosion. It is used on many budget models, including Lada. In this case, highly dispersed zinc powder is applied by spraying. The zinc content of the coating is 90-93%.
Cold galvanizing is widely used by Chinese, Korean and Russian car manufacturers. Partial cold galvanizing is also often used, when only part of the parts or only one side are processed. Then corrosion can begin, for example, from the inside, although the car itself looks good on the outside.
Pros and cons of galvanizing methods
Each of the described methods of applying zinc protection has its pluses and minuses.
- Hot-dip galvanizing provides excellent protection, but an even layer cannot be achieved. Also, the color of the coating is gray and matte. Zinc crystals can be considered.
- The electroplating method protects a little less, but the part is shiny and even. It is also beneficial from an economic point of view.
- Plus the cold processing method is only cheap, but this is good only for manufacturers, although it allows you to reduce the price of a car.
How to know if the car body is galvanized or not?
If you want to find out whether the body is zinc-coated or not, then the first thing to do is to look at the technical documentation of the car. If you did not see the word "zinc" there, then there is no protection against corrosion. Although most car manufacturers use zinc plating, the only question is the method and area of treatment. For example, on Lada Priora until 2008, only 28% of the body was galvanized, on VAZ 2110 only 30% of the body was covered. And this is with the cold processing method. Often, Chinese manufacturers save on zinc treatment.
You can also search for information on the Internet on authoritative resources. There are many tables to be found. You can see one of these at the end of this article.
If you saw the phrase "full galvanized", then this speaks of a galvanic or hot method of processing the entire body. Such a base will last for many years without corrosion.
Some popular models with galvanized body
As already mentioned, full galvanization is also used on many budget models. Next, we will present to you some models of cars with anti-corrosion coating that are very popular in Russia and abroad.
- Renault Logan... The body of this popular brand is highly resistant to corrosion. Since 2008, it has been fully galvanized.
- Chevrolet Lacetti... An inexpensive car, but with a completely anti-corrosion coating. Electroplating was applied.
- Audi A6 (C5)... Even 20-year-old cars in this class look good thanks in large part to the full galvanization. The same can be said for all Audi vehicles. This manufacturer uses hot-dip galvanizing.
- Ford Focus... A real people's car with good anti-corrosion protection. All bodies in this range have been hot worked.
- Mitsubishi Lancer... A sturdy and reliable car, which is loved in Russia and abroad. It does not rust due to its 9-15 micron zinc coating.
Galvanized car body table and processing methods
More details on the methods of galvanizing the body of popular car models can be found in the table below:
| Car model | Galvanized type |
| Audi 100 C3 1986, 1987, 1988 | Partial hot (one-sided) |
| Audi 100 C4 1988-1994 (all modifications) | |
| Audi A1 8x 2010-2019 | Full hot (double sided) |
| Audi A5 8t 2007-2016 and 2 2016-2019 | |
| 5 Audi Allroad C2000 | Partial hot (one-sided) |
| Audi Allroad C5 2001-2005 | Full hot (double sided) |
| Audi Q3 8u 2011-2019 | |
| Audi R8 (all modifications) | |
| Audi Rs-6 (all modifications) | |
| Audi S2 | Partial hot (one-sided) |
| Audi S6 C4 and C5 | |
| Audi S6 C6 and C7 | Full hot (double sided) |
| Audi tt 8n | Partial hot (one-sided) |
| Audi Tt 8j and 8s | Full hot (double sided) |
| Audi A2 8z 1999-2000 | Partial hot (one-sided) |
| Audi A2 8z 2001-2005 | Full hot (double sided) |
| Audi A6 (all modifications) | |
| Listen B4 Cabriolet | Partial hot (one-sided) |
| Listen Q5 | Full hot (double sided) |
| Audi RS-3 | |
| Audi RS-7 | |
| Audi S3 8l | Partial hot (one-sided) |
| Audi S3 8v | Full hot (double sided) |
| Audi S7 | |
| Audi 80 B3 and B4 | Partial hot (one-sided) |
| Audi A3 8l | |
| Audi A3 8p, 8pa, 8v | Full hot (double sided) |
| Audi A7 | |
| Audi Coupe 89 | Partial hot (one-sided) |
| Listen Q7 | Full hot (double sided) |
| Audi Rs-4, Rs-5 | |
| Audi RS-q3 | |
| Audi S4 C4 and B5 | Partial hot (one-sided) |
| Audi S4 B6, B7 and B8 | Full hot (double sided) |
| Audi S8 D2 | Partial hot (one-sided) |
| Audi S8 D3, D4 | Full hot (double sided) |
| Audi 90 | Partial hot (one-sided) |
| Audi A4 | Full hot (double sided) |
| Audi A8 | |
| Listen Q8 | |
| Audi Quattro after 1986 | Partial hot (one-sided) |
| Audi S1, S5, Sq5 | Full hot (double sided) |
| BMW 1, 2, 3 E90 and F30, 4, 5 E60 and G30, 6 after 2003, 7 after 1998, M3 after 2000, M4, M5 after 1998, M6 after 2004, X1, X3, X5, X6 , Z3 after 1998, Z4, M2, X2, X4 | Full galvanic (double-sided) |
| BMW 8, Z1, Z8 | Partial electroplating (double sided) |
| Chevrolet Astro after 1989, Cruze 1, Impala 7 and 8, Niva 2002-2008, Suburban Gmt400 and 800, Avalanche before restyling | Partial electroplating (double sided) |
| Chevrolet Captiva, Cruze J300 and 3, Impala 9 and 10, Niva 2009-2019, Suburban Gmt900, Avalanche after restyling | Full galvanic (double-sided) |
| Chevrolet Aveo, Epica, Lacetti, Orlando, Blazer 5, Cobalt, Evanda, Lanos, Camaro 5 and 6, Spark, Trail-blazer | Full galvanic (double-sided) |
| Chevrolet Blazer 4, Camaro 4 | |
| Chevrolet Corvette C4 and C5 | Partial hot (one-sided) |
| Chevrolet Corvette C6 and C7 | Full hot (double sided) |
| Fiat 500, 600, Doblo, Ducato, Scudo, Siena after 2000, Stilo | Partial electroplating (double sided) |
| Fiat Brava and Bravo up to 1999, Tipo 1995 | Cold galvanized nodal connections |
| Ford Explorer, Focus, Fiesta, Mustang, Transit after 2001, Fusion, Kuga | Full hot (double sided) |
| Ford Escort, Scorpio, Sierra | Partial hot (one-sided) |
| Honda Accord, Civic, Cr-v, Fit, Stepwgn, Odyssey after 2005 | Full galvanic (double-sided) |
| Hyundai Accent, Elantra, Getz, Grandeur, Santa-fe, Solaris, Sonata, Terracan, Tucson after 2005 | Partial cold |
| Hyundai galloper | Cold galvanized nodal connections |
| Infiniti Qx30, Q30, Q40 | Full galvanic (double-sided) |
| Infiniti M-series up to 2006 | Partial cold |
| Jaguar F-type Coupe, Roadster | Full hot (double sided) |
| Jaguar S-type after 2007, Xe, E-pace | Full galvanic (double-sided) |
| Land Rover Defender, Freelander, Range-rover after 2007 | |
| Mazda 5, 6, Cx-7 after 2006, Cx-5, Cx-8 | |
| Mercedes-Benz A-class, C-class, E-class, Vito, Sprinter minibus after 1998, B-class, M-class, X-class, Gls-class | |
| Mitsubishi Galant, L200, Lancer, Montero, Pajero 2000 ода, Asx, Outlander | |
| Nissan Almera from 2012, March, Navara, X-trail from 2007, Juke | |
| Opel Astra, Corsa, Vectra, Zafira since 2008 | |
| Porsche 911 since 1999, Cayenne, 918, Carrera-gt | Full hot (double sided) |
| Porsche 959 | Partial electroplating (double sided) |
| Renault Megane, Scenic, Duster, Kangoo | Partial zinc metal |
| Renault Logan | Full galvanic (double-sided) |
| Seat Altea, Alhambra, Leon, Miic | |
| Skoda Octavia since 1999, Fabia, Yeti, Rapid | |
| Toyota Camry from 2001, Corolla from 1991, Hilux and Land-cruiser from 2000 | |
| Volkswagen Amarok, Golf, Jetta, Tiguan, Polo, Touareg | |
| Volvo C30, V40, V60, V70, V90, S90, Xc60 | Full hot (double sided) |
| Lada Kalina, Priora, Vaz-2111, 2112, 2113, 2114, 2115 from 2009, Granta, Largus | Partial cold |
| Vaz-Oka, 2104, 2105, 2106, 2107, 2108, 2109, 2110 since 1999 | Cold galvanized nodal connections |
Interesting video
Check out the process of galvanizing the body with your own hands in a workshop in the video below:
Galvanizing the body gives good anti-corrosion protection, but there is a difference in the coating method. The body will not live long without protection, a maximum of 7-8 years. Therefore, when buying a car, you should always pay attention to the moment.
Questions and answers:
What are the Chevrolet with galvanized body? Aveo, Blazer (3,4,5), Camaro (2-6), Captiva, Malibu, Cruze (1, J300 2009-2014, 3 2015-2021), Lacetti (2004-2013), Lanos (2005-2009) , Niva (2002-2021) ...
How to determine if the body is galvanized or not? If possible, you can check the VIN code (many manufacturers indicate the code for the galvanized body). At the site of the chip - the surest way to check for the presence of galvanized.
What kind of SUVs with a galvanized body? Here are the brands whose car models can get a galvanized body: Porsche, Audi, Volvo, Ford, Chevrolet, Opel, Audi. The same model in different years of production may differ in the type of body protection.
5 comments
anonym
A lot of nonsense, e.g. the Audi 80 B4 has full galvanization on both sides and not partial one-sided galvanization as it is written.
I will not mention any other errors ...
volvo with 2008 aku has anti-corrosion protection
what kind of hot corrosion protection does volvo with 40/2008 have on both sides??
.
I don't think any manufacturer used hot-dip galvanizing on the bodywork. A car body placed in a vat heated to 500 degrees would collapse because the sheet metal on the body is too thin. The only technology for bodywork is galvanic galvanization. Where the thickness of the zinc depends on the immersion time. The longer the bodywork is immersed, the more zinc settles. A lot of nonsense in this article.
Leash
Volvo has the best preserved sheet metal. these cars can't compare.
anonym
but there is nonsense written here :)