Galvanized Steel Corrosion

[jdajojo]

Do any older burners have practical first hand experience on how long it takes playa to show signs of corrosion on galvanized steel?

[some seeing eye]

I have no corrosion after several years and not washing hot galvanized nails I use as tent stakes.

[Captain Goddammit]

I have the worst case scenario, I live in the Pacific Northwest, not an exceptionally rusty place, but when you bring playa-covered stuff back here and it gets rained on for a few months it corrodes like crazy.
I've got a bunch of galvanized fence poles that I've used in BRC for shade structures that have yet to show any sign of corrosion. I didn't clean them up at all, just stacked them right on the ground at home.

[Meat Hunter]

I live in Mississippi where it is pretty humid all year around and things rust pretty quick.

The hot dipped galvanized lag bolts that I used last year were washed with water (not vinegar) when I got home. By the first of the year, the zinc was showing signs of breaking down.

[motskyroonmatick]

My smaller shade structure is made of galvanized conduit and fittings. It shows no signs of corrosion after one trip to the burn. What galvanized things are you bringing if I may ask?

[Token]

Loaded question.

With all the crap steel from China flooding the U.S. Market, it's a crapshoot.

High quality materials last longer. If the plating is well done, it should do the job and block corrosion.

Cars and trucks don't melt all of a sudden from playa dust.

If you got cheep stuff with bad plating, might be completely ruined in a week.

[jdajojo]

My smaller shade structure is made of galvanized conduit and fittings. It shows no signs of corrosion after one trip to the burn. What galvanized things are you bringing if I may ask?

I am working on designing and fabricating a large galv. sheet metal sign for one of the BM departments. I'm trying to weigh all the factors before investing in materials and production. It seems like all I would need to worry about is drilled connections that compromise the plating. I could potentially apply some kind of sealer to weatherproof these locations. The next thing is how the hell to manage wind loads with little to no budget for a suitable size/strength pole to mount on... but that's for a different discussion.

Thanks for sharing the knowledge folks.

[some seeing eye]

Aluminum on my bicycle shows no change, that is another option for a sign. Sure you know the formula for wind force with wind speed.

[trilobyte]

I've got galvanized steel shade hardware fittings I've been bringing out to the desert for ten years, no signs of rust yet.

[Token]

SSE nailed it. Aluminum is the way to go for a sign. Self-Seals.

[John Lee Pedimore]

Rustoleum makes a spray called "Cold Galvanizing Compound" and it's over 90% zinc.It's great stuff and a big ol' can is about 6 bucks.I've got canopies that have been up 24/7 for over a decade and still no rust.

[motskyroonmatick]

My smaller shade structure is made of galvanized conduit and fittings. It shows no signs of corrosion after one trip to the burn. What galvanized things are you bringing if I may ask?

I am working on designing and fabricating a large galv. sheet metal sign for one of the BM departments. I'm trying to weigh all the factors before investing in materials and production. It seems like all I would need to worry about is drilled connections that compromise the plating. I could potentially apply some kind of sealer to weatherproof these locations. The next thing is how the hell to manage wind loads with little to no budget for a suitable size/strength pole to mount on... but that's for a different discussion.

Thanks for sharing the knowledge folks.

Like said before.. Aluminum is really the best metal for a sign. All permanent road signs I'm my state are aluminum and they last a very long time.