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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Polishing Mild Steel Roll Bar

2004

I am installing a 10 point roll cage in a car I have that I'm going to race. It is made of so called "mild steel".

I have been advised that it is better to paint the cage outside of the car because of the problems with painting something with a close fit and because of overspray.

But, as the cage must be assembled inside the car and it's many pieces (11) some of which are long, painting the individual pieces outside the car is problematic. These pieces can't be layed on a surface as they are round and coverage needs to be from 360 degrees.

So, I decided to look into simply polishing the pieces to achieve a stainless steel look (rather than chrome).

What is the best method and materials to use to accomplish this and what is the best way to "seal" the finish so that it won't rust?

I have searched this site and the net itself and have had no luck finding any information that applies.

Thanks for your time and consideration,

Ken

Ken Vaughn
Drag Racer - Charleston, South Carolina

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There is no way to simply "seal" steel so it doesn't rust, Ken. Sorry. They need to be pretreated and properly painted.

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

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First of two simultaneous responses --

You say it needs to be "assembled" so I'm assuming its a bolt in kit and not a weld in one. Instead of laying the bars down when painting them..suspend them from something with wire through a bolt hole. believe me..painting will be MUCH easier than polishing and if polished you would then need to have the piece coated with some form of corrosion resist. this will be very time consuming and expensive...if you don't mind the looks of paint..then paint it.

Jason Aube
- Flint, Michigan
2004
2004

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

I have to agree with the above, I'll go a bit more in depth for you and explain the why.

Firstly, stainless steel has chromium in it, which give it it's durability and stain resistance. Mild steel has very little in the way of other elements, just carbon and some other trace elements, which allows it to oxidize easily and readily. Thus the importance of adding a protective coating on the surface of the steel (additionally I would like to suggest an epoxy based paint with an acid dip prep followed by a good primer). I definitely believe that you will be better off in the long run in painting your roll cage (though if you are going to be doing some more aggressive driving I'd suggest moving on to a stainless roll cage).

Marc Banks
- Elizabeth City, North Carolina
2004

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Hi,

Thanks for all the reponses.

The roll cage kit is a weld in type, what I meant by assembly is the individual pieces will have to be put into place and then welded.

The problem with "hanging" the pieces is mainly in having a place to do it where overspray would not be a problem. They would need to be left to dry. The paint I have been looking at is made by VHT which supposedly takes a long time to fully cure.

I guess I will have to have the cage installed then simply spend alot of time covering, taping and masking.

I don't see a "doable" alternative.

Ken Vaughn
- Charleston, South Carolina
2004

Find a handy tree, and check the 5 day outlook for your local weather. You get plenty of ventilation and won't have to worry about them getting in the way.

Marc Banks
- Elizabeth City, North Carolina
2005