The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

The protection of a small garden tractor chassis

I would like an quote for the protection of a chassis. These include galvanization, powder coating and spray painting, so the various prices can be compared. The chassis is approx. 2 meters long by 50cm wide, and will be manufactured out of boxed section steel. It is the basis for a small garden tractor. Which one of the above forms of protection would be most suitable for this application if cost was not an issue?

Many thanks,

Jonathan Hughes
N/A - Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England
2003

---

2003

If this tractor is a fiction, just part of a thesis project, please say so because it costs non-fiction money to prepare quotes and it really isn't fair.

Few items are simply spray painted or powder coated; rather, the surface is first prepared by iron or zinc phosphating, or even electrocoating. Still, spray painting is probably cheapest and galvanizing the most expensive, although a well prepared and powder coated item could probably cost as much as a galvanized one.

If looks don't count, galvanizing would probably be the first choice. But they usually do, which is probably one reason we don't see lots of galvanized lawn and farm equipment.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

---

Thanks for your email and quick response to my letter. However I can understand the point you are making in terms of the cost implications of the quote. The tractor is part of a manufacture and enterprise project for a second year degree course in Automotive Design and Technology BSc. Therefore a quote is essential for the business plan and costing of the project which is the main ethic of the subject. Hope you can understand my position.

Many thanks,

Jonathan Hughes
- Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
2003