Galvanized steel is one of those things that has just always been around for us. It seems like there are newer ways to finish steel, but not really. Galvanized steel and paint have been the norm for so long now that most people don’t even bat an eyelash at it anymore, including manufacturers who must finish their products with it as well as customers who purchase them. The fact is that galvanized steel has some problems. It is not the strongest type of finish or the most corrosion resistant, after all it is a coating on top of steel rather than being part of it physically.
Galvanized does have its benefits though. For example, if you need to finish something in an area where paint will be tough to get to, a galvanized finish might be just what you need. With that in mind let’s take a look at how you can repair your galvanized items instead of replacing them with something new again.
What is Galvanized Steel?
Galvanized steel is a coating that has been used to coat metal objects. It is a mixture of zinc, sulfur and carbon. The coating is applied to metal objects by first applying a layer of zinc, then a layer of sulfur, then a layer of carbon while overlapping them. Once the coating is applied, the object is placed in a saltwater solution that causes the coating to form on the object. The coating is generally used to protect metal surfaces, usually because it is cheaper than other types of finishes like anodized aluminum or high-quality painting or even powder coating.
How To soldering galvanized steel?
Now that you know how to repaint galvanized items, you will want to repair rather than replace them. This is often the best option for homeowners. If you have gotten a little damage on your galvanized items, then it is worth repairing them rather than replacing them. As long as you repaint the damaged area and not the whole surface, you can get away with this. There are many different types of repairs. They include: patching, reglue, recoating, and re-spangling. While they may all seem similar, they actually have different purposes.
Is It Worth to Soldering Galvanized Steel Or Replacing?
This is a tough one. It all depends on what type of galvanized items you have and how badly they need repairing. It also depends on your personal situation. If you have items that are only a few years old that have some superficial damage that you can easily fix, then it might be worth repainting them. That being said, if it is something like your front door or a fence that needs to be replaced, then you would be better off waiting a few more years. Galvanized steel is not the most corrosion resistant type of finish, and it will start to show its age very quickly.
Tips for Soldering Galvanized steel
Clean-up – If the surface area you are repainting is not clean, you will ruin the paint job. Clean the surface with a mild soap and water and make sure everything is dry before painting.
Masking– Take your time making sure that you cover every inch of the surface you are repainting and make sure there are no gaps in where you are laying the paint down.
Coverage– You want to make sure that you cover every bit of the surface you are repainting. This is especially true with larger items like fences or walls.
Finish– Try to match or get close to the color of the existing finish on your galvanized items. You can always go darker or lighter, but try to get as close to the original color as possible.
Protection– Use a clear coating spray or paint to protect your repainted surface.
Cure– Make sure that you let the paint fully cure before touching the surface again. You can usually tell when the paint is fully dry because you will see little bumps in the paint where you sprayed the clear coat.
Should You Ever Replace Or Soldering Galvanized Steel?
This is a tough question. If your galvanized items are only a few years old and are in good shape, then they are worth repairing. If they are more than a few years old and you see that they need replacing, it might be worth replacing them. They are not the most corrosion resistant type of finish so they will start to show their age in a short amount of time. You will also have to weigh the cost of replacing or repairing these items against the cost of painting them.
If you have items that you really love, but they are badly in need of replacement or repainting, then it might be worth it. Make sure to take the cost of repainting them into account and see if it is worth it.
