Chain regalvanising

[pcatterall]

I'm planning to take my 60m of 8mm chain to BE Wedge for regalvanising.

I guess ( from what I read in the recent thread on this) that the minimum charge should not be an issue for this quantity?

I have tried to get the old paint marks off but there are a few difficult flecks remaining,
what is the issue over paint? will they refuse to do it or will the odd paint marks simply not be galvanised?

 

[VicS]

I'm planning to take my 60m of 8mm chain to BE Wedge for regalvanising.

I guess ( from what I read in the recent thread on this) that the minimum charge should not be an issue for this quantity?

I have tried to get the old paint marks off but there are a few difficult flecks remaining,
what is the issue over paint? will they refuse to do it or will the odd paint marks simply not be galvanised?

They may not accept it with any paint on it. I am pretty certain that they will not re-galvanise it with any paint, oil or grease on it.

As far as I know they just acid pickle it to remove rust, other oxides and probably most of the old galvanising and then galvanise

I don't remember what the minimum weight galvanisers typically accept is but I am pretty sure 60m of 8mm chain will be well above . Christ its more than I can lift!

I sent a small item for galvanising a few years ago via one of the local trailer manufacturers.

 

[vyv_cox]

If there is a significant amount of paint, or if the existing galvanising has flaked off, rather than simply wearing or corroding away, Wedge will 'burn it off'. This entails passing the chain through the zinc bath without pickling it first. The chain then goes back to the start of the line for the full process. This procedure adds 50% to the overall price.

Two weeks ago I submitted 60 metres of 8 mm chain in very poor condition to them. Total price was £112, which included burning off and a surcharge to account for the current high price of zinc. Considerably more than another 60 metres cost me two years ago but a lot cheaper and better galvanised than new chain.

 

[mustntgrumble]

A few years back I took 40m of 10mm chain to BE Wedge, as the weight was below their minimum charge they suggested I include the anchor.

(You may wish to check your anchor doesn't have any lead ballast that might make a bid for freedom)

 

[Niander]

Can you not burn the paint off?

 

[AndrewB]

If there is much paint or rust the galvinisers may ask you to get the chain shotblasted (or they may do it - adds to the cost).

However, most galvanisers will pass a few traces. With chain, make sure its a SHAKEN hot-dip process the galvaniser uses.

I've found quite a variation in the cost of regalvanising chain, generally between quarter and third of the cost of new chain, without obvious differences of quality. It may pay to shop around.

 

[ukmctc]

I'm planning to take my 60m of 8mm chain to BE Wedge for regalvanising.

I guess ( from what I read in the recent thread on this) that the minimum charge should not be an issue for this quantity?

I have tried to get the old paint marks off but there are a few difficult flecks remaining,
what is the issue over paint? will they refuse to do it or will the odd paint marks simply not be galvanised?

Just buy new chain, save the hassle. Its cheap BGD do quality cheap calibrated chain delivered to your door or boat anywhere in the UK.

 

[vyv_cox]

Just buy new chain, save the hassle. Its cheap BGD do quality cheap calibrated chain delivered to your door or boat anywhere in the UK.

Regalvanising mine cost a quarter of the price of buying new. The steel was in almost perfect condition, why dump it? The really big difference is that the thickness of galvanising on production chain is the least they can get away with. Mine was Italian made and was rusting badly after three seasons. Regalvanised zinc thickness can be up to ten times more and will last for many years.
This shows a typical sample of production chain bought from a chandlery

This is my chain after regalvanising.

 

[pcatterall]

Thanks VYV, I thought we had done to death the pros and cons of regalvanising against new in the earlier thread which included your usual good ( experience based) advice.
I had better do some before and after photos!!

 

[LadyInBed]

Just buy new chain, save the hassle. Its cheap BGD do quality cheap calibrated chain delivered to your door or boat anywhere in the UK.

Cheap!
Calibrated 8mm £5.50 / mtr
Uncalibrated 8mm £3.60 / mtr

So for say 50 mtrs £275 or £180 I don't call that cheap compared to the cost of regalvanising.

 

[haydude]

I'm planning to take my 60m of 8mm chain to BE Wedge for regalvanising.

I guess ( from what I read in the recent thread on this) that the minimum charge should not be an issue for this quantity?

I have tried to get the old paint marks off but there are a few difficult flecks remaining,
what is the issue over paint? will they refuse to do it or will the odd paint marks simply not be galvanised?

I suppose that your paint would contaminate their galvanization baths

 

[MM5AHO]

The issue about paint on steel to be galvanized is that it prevents the acid getting contact with the painted part.
The acid is dilute hydrochloric (ranges about 3-12%). HCl is a water based acid (gas dissolved in water), and it doesn't shift paint. The paint becomes a form of "masking".
Unless the paint is removed that bit won't get galvanized.

For chain in these quantities, but it off at home (if not extensive). It won't matter if you burn some zinc off, as thats going to all come off any way.
Galvanizers don't like paint. Its a hassle, so they charge for removing it. Three ways to do that: 1, shotblast (expensive and not all galvanizers do it) 2, paint remover. Labour intensive, and a messy job. 3, Burn off in the molten zinc (as mentioned above somewhere), but that costs money in that it displaces some other production, uses some zinc, and that zinc then adds to the old original remaining zinc to be removed, all of which consumes acid, and thats expensive too.

Typical minimum quantity charge of steel is 100kg. The minimum charge varies from one company to another. We charge about £60.

The "zinc surcharge" mentioned is to cover the varying cost of zinc, which is subject in price variation to speculators who "buy" up thousands of tonnes of zinc, then sell again without ever taking delivery. Zinc is a traded commodity (see London Metal Exchange website) and priced in USD, so exchange rate affects UK price too. In order to have some predictability for regular galvanizing customers, a base price is used onto which is added the "zinc surcharge". That varies from one company to another depending on when their base was set. Some companies just vary the price and don't have any surcharge. And its surely the whole invoice that counts anyway? irrespective of how it was calculated. But many customers think the surcharge creates transparency!

The point about zinc thickness is important. The life expectancy is diretly proportional to the thickness. New chain = thin zinc. Regalvanized chain = thick zinc. Why pay for new steel? Do you change out your woodwork on the rest of your boat, ot just re-new the coating (varnish)? Why think of chucking the steel, just re-coat it, and keep us guys in business!!

 

[alahol2]

Cheap!
Calibrated 8mm £5.50 / mtr
Uncalibrated 8mm £3.60 / mtr

So for say 50 mtrs £275 or £180 I don't call that cheap compared to the cost of regalvanising.

These people make it a more realistic option.

 

[pcatterall]

Thanks guys,
Thats good info from the horses mouth ( Geoff!!) and a good source of new chain.
I guess I will still go for the re-gal option though ( taking VYVs advice) at least I know it works on my round thing with notches to pull the anchor up ( just being PC!)
Thanks again!!