Rear subframes

[JohnDavis]

All of the four LS400s I have owned have had surface corrosion on the rear subframe, but not 'seriously weakened' - yet! I fear that this will force the end of many good LSs in the future.

I have a spares car, and I plan to have the subframe of this sandblasted and either hot zinc sprayed or galvanized (which I would think is the best option), then built up off the car with new bushes, brakes and so on, for a quick substitution on the car I now have.

Does anyone know whether the high temperatures used in galvanizing would distort the frame?  

[ambermarine]

Yes is the short answer most structures that are designed for the galvanising process are built with various widths and thickness,s of metal to counteract warping as the frame in question is not it may distort as the temprature can be as high as 840 f.

It is not cheap either, my solution would be to epoxy paint the subframe then coat it with Dinitrol as added protection,that will see all of us out.

[GrahamG]

I would endorse Phil's recommendation of epoxy paint after a blasting process. A couple of coats, or more of two part epoxy would be cheap and easy.

[ambermarine]

5 hours ago, ambermarine said:

Yes is the short answer most structures that are designed for the galvanising process are built with various widths and thickness,s of metal to counteract warping as the frame in question is not it may distort as the temprature can be as high as 840 f.

It is not cheap either, my solution would be to epoxy paint the subframe then coat it with Dinitrol as added protection,that will see all of us out.

As a postscript there maybe barriers to galvinising the subframe on the Mark 4 as the main element is a tube, that to my knowledge is sealed the Galvaniser will not treat it unless it as been vented and it may need several holes drilling to allow the fluids to drain from the tube when taken from the tank.

[JohnDavis]

If it is sealed then presumably it will burst from air expansion when heated to this level anyway - I think blasting and hot zinc spray followed by epoxy paint will be good.