Thread: Galvanising an ARB bullbar. Is it possible to get a decent finish?

Last time I had any galvanising done was the columns on my veranda some years ago but the finish is smooth for the most part - there are a couple of drips on the edges that are a bit rough but on the main areas - it's 100 x 100 box section - it's beautiful and smooth so not sure what makes things rough - maybe it could be the amount of edges a bullbar has.

Can you find the manufacture of the bullbars you've seen that are smooth and call them to see who they use?

Originally Posted by Grappler

I understand why you would want to galvanise your ARB bullbar. The factory coating is poor quality and does not last.
Every ARB bar including the "Australian made delux", Ive owned, has rusted quickly under the surface coating causing it to bubble and lift

I would definitely consider galvanising, if I was to restore mine. Preparation and stripping the original would be laborious and as mentioned any sealed sections would require vent/drain holes

We have had the same issue,the coating on their bars,racks,towbars,etc seems very poor.

In fact for the next vehicle i will look around a bit more for a bar with a better coating.

We have had bars re powder coated at a local place and the coating is way better,than the original,and no issues after 10yrs.

What we have found is if the ARB bar is colour matched to the vehicle,the coating is good,because it is done locally,but the black bars,racks,etc seem to have the poorer quality coating.

I fitted a new ARB bulbar to my D2a about4/5 years ago and after a few animal strikes, much scrub bashing and spending a LOT of time at the beach there is NO rust anywhere on it because I tend to touch up the paint when it gets scratched off.

Galvanising is a great way of protecting steel from rust but it is pretty soft and will scratch off just like paint does and it is Much more expensive/difficult to touch up.

Originally Posted by trout1105

Galvanising is a great way of protecting steel from rust but it is pretty soft and will scratch off just like paint does and it is Much more expensive/difficult to touch up.

It shouldn't scratch off but anyway zinc is sacrificial so a scratch in the surface and the steel below shouldn't rust.
For years Land Rover used galvanising on any high wear parts of the body, the cappings etc. on my 60odd year old Series I are still rust free.

Colin

Originally Posted by scarry

We have had the same issue,the coating on their bars,racks,towbars,etc seems very poor.

In fact for the next vehicle i will look around a bit more for a bar with a better coating.

We have had bars re powder coated at a local place and the coating is way better,than the original,and no issues after 10yrs.

What we have found is if the ARB bar is colour matched to the vehicle,the coating is good,because it is done locally,but the black bars,racks,etc seem to have the poorer quality coating.

Naaa.. sorry the colour matched coating on ARB is crap..it is too thin and fragile too.

Main reason? .well the bars are made in Indo.. ARB can't get Aussie to sit and weld all day apparently .. and are powder coated std.

In Aus they are colour matched but the powder coating is only roughed up a bit therefore the 2 pack don't adhere well and chips too easily. Ask any professional painter who'll tell you to sand blast the powder coating off b 4 painting.

Even with the underlying powder coat they still rust....check out forum feedback...lot's of concern there.☺

Info source: ARB Engineer... as a result of our GU colour matched bull bar chipping..scratching. and rusting within days...my plastic zipper ripped of a whole line and we could easily remove the paint with a finger nail.

They said initially the paint was not fully dry.. ha ha ha or it was damaged in transit or the we should have paid them to install it etc etc etc.

We gave up and will fix it properly ourselves.

[QUOTE=INter674;2973369

Main reason? .well the bars are made in Indo.. ARB can't get Aussie to sit and weld all day apparently .. and are powder coated std.

.[/QUOTE]

You're having a laugh aren't you ?

Robot welded.
I'm sure that Aussie bars are made at Kilsyth, Thailand factory make bars for rest of world (also robot welded).
Can't comment on the painting, mine is over 20 years old & OK but it spends a lot of time in the garage.

I'll check with someone next week.

As for putting in a centrifuge after galvanising.... i though this was for nuts & bolts, small brackets etc to stop them sticking togethet rather than a large item like a bullbar.


Colin

Originally Posted by gromit

You're having a laugh aren't you ?

Robot welded.
I'm sure that Aussie bars are made at Kilsyth, Thailand factory make bars for rest of world (also robot welded).
Can't comment on the painting, mine is over 20 years old & OK but it spends a lot of time in the garage.

I'll check with someone next week.

As for putting in a centrifuge after galvanising.... i though this was for nuts & bolts, small brackets etc to stop them sticking togethet rather than a large item like a bullbar.


Colin

FWIW I've been told older model cars like the D2 are fabbed in Thailand too.
I was waiting for a batch to go through but went with a TJM as they had stock.

TJM's older car model bars are made in the PRC, and the surface treatment under the powder coating isn't flash either.
My 2.5yo one needs sand blasting and re-coating, the powder coat is bubbling up all over.

Originally Posted by rick130

FWIW I've been told older model cars like the D2 are fabbed in Thailand too.
I was waiting for a batch to go through but went with a TJM as they had stock.

TJM's older car model bars are made in the PRC, and the surface treatment under the powder coating isn't flash either.
My 2.5yo one needs sand blasting and re-coating, the powder coat is bubbling up all over.

That would make sense, not worth setting up for a short run at Aussie labour rates.

Colin