In pursuit of lowering the cost of production, BMW and Mercedes have been able to form their own recipes for protection, which are not inferior in efficiency to Audi technologies. The secret lies in the optimal combination of:
- high-alloy steel with minimal inclusion of harmful impurities;
- zinc layer with a thickness of 9 - 15 microns, applied by electroplating;
- a thick layer of paint applied to a perfectly flat surface with good adhesion.
A little about Japanese cars Japanese cars with a galvanized body in any of the ways rarely occupy a leading position in thematic tests. The reason lies in the poor experimental base.
List of cars with galvanized body
Test Coating without galvanizing Galvanic treatment method Galvanic treatment of the body with zinc differs from the previous method by its lower cost.
More often this method is found in American and Japanese cars, a little less often in European ones.
By reducing the cost of processing, the reliability of such processing has also significantly decreased.
The coating did not provide a 100% guarantee of protection. European manufacturers decided to go their own way, using the developed new technology.
List of technological operations carried out by BMW and Mercedes concerns:
- For the manufacture of the body, high-alloy steel is used, harmful impurities are excluded as much as possible.
- The galvanic method is applied from 9 to 15 microns of zinc.
- A thick layer of primer and paint is placed on top.
Cars with galvanized body
To find out which car bodies are galvanized, select the make and model of the car.
Info
Use the complete list below. Popular brands About the service Service for the identification and selection of cars with a galvanized body.
For each individual model, you can find out the type and type of treatment of the body with a zinc coating.
There is a big difference in how the body is galvanized. From complete high-quality processing to the simple presence of zinc as a component in primers and paints.
Attention
When a galvanized body is damaged, the corrosion will destroy the zinc and not the steel.
A simple type of treatment does not protect the body at all, but gives the manufacturer the right to call the car - galvanized.
Galvanized car body: list, description and reviews
In addition to VW, bodies are also treated in this way by Audi, Porsche, Volvo, as well as many other car manufacturers. Considering the cost of processing the machine by this method, it should be recalled that it is exposed to rather expensive premium and business class models. List of car brands, in the model range of which there are models with a fully galvanized body according to the hot method:
- Porsche (the first of the models with such a body is the famous Porsche 911).
- Audi.
- Volvo.
- Ford.
- Chevrolet (Lacetti).
- Opel (Astra and Vectra).
The first production car with a fully galvanized body was the famous Audi 80. After it, most of the cars of this company came with a mandatory anti-corrosion coating. Depending on the brand, the coating could have a thickness of 2 to 10 microns.
Which cars have a galvanized body and how is the coating applied?
Cold galvanizing is advertised only for marketing purposes: the zinc contained in the primed layer is not able to resist corrosion if the paintwork is damaged. Important! Many manufacturers prefer to indicate "galvanized body" in the list of characteristics, implying partial processing of the most susceptible parts: sills, underbody, fenders.
The manufacturer usually characterizes galvanizing all around with an additional epithet - "full".
We find out which cars have a galvanized body using one of the above methods and the degree of galvanizing. Auto with a hot-dip galvanized body. The technology of applying a protective coating by hot-dip galvanizing is difficult to implement and requires large investments.
This technique is actively used by the VW Group on all brands of cars belonging to it:
- Porsche;
- Audi;
- VolksWagen;
- Seat;
- Skoda.
Virtually all cars with a body galvanized according to the first-class technology demonstrate excellent resistance to the occurrence of foci of corrosion during aggressive tests in a salt chamber.
The pioneer in the line is, of course, Audi, known for its many achievements in the field of tread technology.
Among the latest patents of the company is a technique that implements double-sided zinc protection not only of the body, but also of restructured welded joints.
For your information: the legendary Audi 80 became the first production galvanized car. Since 1986, all Audi cars have already been produced with an anti-corrosion layer applied to all surfaces of the body.
Full galvanizing of a car body: truth or advertising gimmicks of manufacturers?
The car body is one of the most expensive parts. In our climate, it is constantly exposed to precipitation and temperature changes. Having suffered from anti-corrosion agents, many motorists, when buying a new car, express a desire for it to have a galvanized body. Most manufacturers in the instructions for their cars indicate that their body parts are protected with a zinc layer.
It would seem that there is no need to worry: a car with such a coating does not rust.
But with the zinc layer on the parts of the car, everything is not so simple, otherwise there would be no difference between some cheap "Chinese" and an Audi or Volkswagen. Galvanized parts do not give reason to worry about their corrosion How to choose a car with a galvanized body when buying A buyer who decides to buy a car with a galvanized body must be able to choose the right model.
Galvanized car body - list of brands and models
- hot-dip galvanizing;
- galvanized galvanizing;
- cold galvanizing. From the point of view of performance characteristics, thermal galvanizing technology is more preferable:
- the corrosion resistance of the metal remains for a long time (from 15 years and more, depending on the thickness of the coating);
- the durability of the coating is 3-4 times higher than with the electroplating method;
- throughout the entire service life, resistance to mechanical stress is maintained;
- the coating at the local level has the property of regeneration (self-healing).
Considering which cars have a galvanized body, it should be borne in mind that the galvanic application of zinc-containing coatings is characterized by much lower corrosion resistance.
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In addition to the Volkswagen concern, the technology is also used by Volvo, Opel (Astra and Vectra), Ford (Sierra, Escort), Chevrolet (Lacetti, Epica).
As far as Volvo is concerned, these vehicles use a lot of aluminum, which itself does not corrode.
But the manufacturer does not skimp on thermal zinc coating at all on steel parts.
Make a note of this list of vehicles with galvanized bodies that are thermally treated with anti-corrosion coating technology. Electroplating Galvanic baths have been used for a long time, and this method of applying an anti-corrosion coating is very popular. This technology is much cheaper to implement, which is why many manufacturers use it to coat the bodies of their cars.
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Then the body is made from it. This metal is highly susceptible to welding, forming, it is easy to paint.
However, its effectiveness in protecting against corrosion is low, especially in places where damage occurs.
If hot-dip galvanizing can be called the best, galvanic - good, then zinc-metal is an acceptable type of galvanizing, which prolongs the life of the body. It has far from the best anti-corrosion properties. It is difficult to name a list of cars, the galvanized body of which would be produced in a similar way. Kia is known to be practicing this technology. Cold galvanizing This is the most primitive and cheapest technology used in the manufacture of budget cars. In this case, we are talking about the coating of parts with a cataphoresis primer containing zinc in the composition. It is easy to find out which cars have a galvanized body using the cold method.
This material is a "three-layer cake":
- the bottom, thickest layer is steel;
- middle layer - oxides with zinc impurity;
- the top layer is organic compounds with a high zinc content.
Cold galvanizing Cold galvanizing is just a marketing ploy invented by manufacturers of inexpensive cars. Cold galvanizing is called the coating of parts with a cattophoresis zinc-containing primer.
Cars "galvanized" in this way include many Korean, Chinese and domestic models, for example: Lada, Chery, Geely, Hyundai, some Kia models.
Determination of the type of zinc-coated bodywork There is equipment that allows you to find out whether the car you are interested in has a galvanized body or not.
However, such devices are very expensive and are not available in every service station.
Not everyone can afford to change cars every few years, and even fewer people know how to buy a car that will not rust on the street. Therefore, if you have already decided to save money to buy a car, then you should find out in advance about what kind of cars with a galvanized body are found. Having bought such a car in advance, you will protect yourself from destruction of the car body.
Even in 5-10 years this problem will be minimal.
Now let's consider what are the ways of factory galvanizing the body:
- Hot.
It is considered the best type of zinc plating. Provides the best corrosion resistance for any vehicle model.
- Galvanic.
Treat good galvanized types. The soil and paint are well applied to the body after such treatment.
- Zincrometal. This method provides mediocre anti-corrosion properties.
- Cold galvanized.
The galvanized body does not corrode and lasts longer thanks to a special coating - zinc. Not all cars are galvanized, this is an expensive pleasure. Let's look at which cars have a galvanized body
Manufacturers, especially on older vehicles, use zinc-rich primers. It's cheaper and easier. It is also reliable, but it will not replace full galvanization.
In terms of the automotive industry, the Germans are the most advanced, so Audi has galvanized bodies since the 80s. Now they galvanize the parts adjacent to the body (bumper, body kits, etc.). Many other grades are galvanized, but some manufacturers prefer other methods of corrosion protection, as zinc is harmful to the environment.
The maximum warranty period for galvanizing is 15 years. But there are 30-year-old galvanized cars that do not have a hint of rust. It is advisable to carry out anti-corrosion treatment of the body every 3 years, especially if you make money on a car. So you will prolong the life of the "iron horse".
If you treat the car with care, watch it, drive carefully, it will pay off with a long and impeccable service, regardless of the manufacturer.
Galvanized body brands - list
Audi (almost all models), Ford (most models), new Chevrolet, Logan, Citroen, Volkswagen, all Opel Astra, Insignia and some Opel Vectra.
The galvanized body of Skoda Octavia, Peugeot (all models), Fiat Marea (models from 2010), all Hyundai, but after damage to the paintwork (paintwork), rust quickly appears. All Reno Megan and Volvo models from 2005.
Modern Lada come with a partially galvanized body, and Lada Granta has the entire body. You can list for a long time, it's easier to look at the website of a certain manufacturer and see what he offers.
Proper car care
Most good cars are coated with a special phosphoric solution that protects against corrosion. It is cheaper and more environmentally friendly, but the slightest damage to the coating to the rhinestone forms a favorable place for rust.
Corrosion is a pretty tricky thing and it's hard to hide from it. To keep your car rust-free for longer, keep it in a dry place. This will help to avoid other problems that cripple the "horse".
Pay special attention to the car in winter. Snow containing salt will damage the anti-corrosion layer. Try to drive carefully on dirt roads. Stones accidentally flying off the tires can damage the zinc plating.
In conclusion, I will add: it does not matter what your car brand, price, manufacturer, the main thing is the attitude towards it. With careful operation and timely maintenance, even a "decrepit old woman" will last a very long time.
The appearance of the car plays a key role when choosing a car. If the body is covered with foci of corrosion, then no one pays attention to what is under the hood and what equipment the car has. Not everyone can afford to change a car every few years, and even fewer motorists know how to choose a car that does not immediately start rusting on the street. Knowing the list of popular domestic and foreign models with a galvanized body will not hurt. Their advantage is in resistance to corrosion, metal with a protective galvanized coating is protected for at least 5 years, and depending on the method of application and the thickness of zinc that the manufacturer uses, this period can increase by several decades. After processing, the body acquires resistance to minor mechanical damage, self-healing properties are manifested at the local level (for expensive techniques).
Popular Russian cars with a galvanized body: a list
The list of Russian-made cars with a body covered with a layer of zinc is not rich. Of the manufacturers, only the Volzhsky Automobile Plant (VAZ) and the automaker from Ulyanovsk (UAZ) are engaged in this. To reduce the cost, some models are only partially galvanized, that is, only individual parts are protected. For complete treatment, an inexpensive cataphoresis priming of the body with the addition of zinc particles is used. The protection is effective, but it is not capable of protecting the metal for more than 5 years. Moreover, one-sided galvanizing is used, when only the outer side is processed, the inner one is primed and painted.
The first VAZ model with partial corrosion treatment with zinc
On the 10th family, the protection of the body against corrosion by cold galvanizing began to be used since 1999. The nodal joints, that is, the places of welds, fasteners and other elements, were subjected to processing. Corrosion of the body began quickly, because there was practically no metal protection.
Lada Kalina 1st generation
The first generation of cars of the Kalina family in a station wagon
The first Kalina were partially galvanized, the total percentage of treated surfaces is about 50%. These include all attachments (doors, boot lid and bonnet), underbody and front wheel arches.
Lada Kalina 2nd generation
The second generation of the Kalina family in the back of a hatchback
The first releases of Kalina 2 in terms of galvanized area did not differ from the first "berry" VAZ family. Later models have a fully galvanized body, the side members at the front and rear, the roof and the hood were left untreated. It should be borne in mind that the selected processing method does not provide a 100% guarantee of corrosion protection.
Lada Largus
New model Lada Largus with veneer from Vesta
The Renault Logan clone in the station wagon from the VAZ is also only partially galvanized. The front fenders, sills, trunk lid and doors have been processed.
Lada Granta
Granta sedan, cars with high-quality galvanized
Lada Granta sedan is 30% made of galvanized steel. In this case, part of the metal is additionally treated with hot zinc on both sides. Grant in the liftback body is additionally protected from the bottom side.
Lada Vesta
VAZ flagship with galvanized body
The flagship of the Russian car industry became the first VAZ car with double-sided galvanized body, with the exception of the sedan roof (the station wagon is completely processed). Bottom and sills without zinc protection.
Lada X-ray
X-ray crossover based on Vesta
The crossover from AvtoVAZ is galvanized on both sides, only the roof and bottom are not processed.
UAZ
Domestic SUV UAZ Patriot with the best galvanized
At the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant, UAZ Patriot vehicles manufactured since 2013 were subjected to partial cold galvanizing. Since 2014, the Patriot has been electroplated (the body is completely immersed in a zinc bath), which gives excellent protection against corrosion.
All models, without exception, are cold galvanized and cataphoretic primed, which allows you to give a guarantee of up to 6 years. Technologies are being improved every day, the thickness of the protective coating is increasing. So far, the UAZ Patriot (from domestic manufacturers) remains the most protected car from the appearance of rust, but AvtoVAZ does not lag behind.
Popular models and brands of foreign cars with galvanized
Not all budget class foreign cars can boast of a high-quality zinc coating. Let's start with the Korean car industry.
Kia Rio
The latest generation of KIA RIO
The Rio family began partially zinc-coated bodywork in 2005. In this case, the most substandard method of applying zinc particles during steel rolling (zinc metal) was used. Since 2011, the bottom and hidden cavities are additionally treated with anti-corrosion compounds. Other popular models (Cerato, Ceed, Picanto) undergo the same processing.
Hyundai Solaris sedan
The body of the popular model is partially cold-galvanized, that is, only the wings, body (excluding the bottom, roof) and attachments.
Ford focus
Ford Focus 4 hatchback
Ford Focus has been protected against corrosion by one-sided hot-dip galvanizing since 1998. Later models from the 2nd generation are machined on both sides. The 3rd and 4th generation additionally have a certain proportion of aluminum parts.
Toyota
The modern look of the legendary Corolla
The legendary Corolla from 1991 to this day has a double-sided zinc coating. The manufacturer uses an electroplating method, the thickness of the protective layer is up to 15 microns. Other models have also been refined (Avensis, Auris, Camry, etc.). Modern models include some of the aluminum parts.
Volkswagen
The Volkswagen Polo model, popular in Russia, has been electroplated since 1995 to this day. Other models are also protected in this way with full immersion in a zinc bath.
The most popular in Russia Volkswagen Polo sedan
Renault
All Renault cars are for the most part protected from corrosion in part by zinc metal (Duster, Sandero, Fluence, Megane, etc.). The only exception is the latest generation Logan, whose body is completely galvanized.
New Logan with improved rust protection
Nissan
The popular budget model Almera since 2012 has a double-sided galvanized zinc coating. The equally popular Qashqai is handled the same way.
New generation Nissan Almera
Chevrolet
All popular modern Chevrolet models (Lacetti, Cobalt, Aveo, Spark, Cruze) are fully galvanized with a guarantee of up to 10 years from the manufacturer.
Almost all modern car manufacturers, without exception, protect the body from rust by using galvanizing. For some it is an expensive but high-quality procedure, for some it is a partial inexpensive treatment. Today it is no longer possible to find a modern car that has no zinc coating in any form. Another question is, for how long the machine's resource is calculated, usually manufacturers give a 5-year warranty, after which they are not responsible for the performance of components and assemblies. Therefore, five years of corrosion protection is considered normal. Better processing is found on premium cars, but their cost is much higher than that of all the above models.
Surely motorists will be interested to know which cars have a galvanized body and how effective it is for the car. It is not hard to imagine that the metal base and the body of the car are covered with rust without special treatment. You've probably seen rotten parts: sills, fenders or just various parts of the car.
To save the car from such undesirable consequences, its body is subjected to a special treatment, which is called galvanized. Today, several types of galvanizing of car bodies are used, among which the method of cold galvanizing, hot galvanizing and galvanizing should be distinguished.
Many manufacturers provide a 30-year car body warranty. Galvanizing the body significantly increases the level of metal corrosion resistance over many years, and the body is minimally exposed to mechanical stress. The most effective method is considered to be hot-dip galvanizing, which is 3.5 times more effective than galvanic.
Car brands with galvanized body
Which cars have a galvanized body, we will now consider. Did you know that the Volkswagen Group is actively using a rather expensive method of hot-dip galvanizing of all cars of its own production? Galvanizing is carried out double-sided, so manufacturers guarantee a fairly long warranty period.
Car brands Porsche, Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen after 2000 all come with galvanized bodies.
Among the popular car brands, it is worth noting cars Ford Sierra, Escort, and also, the body of which was also subjected to the hot-dip galvanizing method.
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Zinc is applied by electroplating, followed by a body surface with good adhesion properties, thereby achieving a high protective level.
Almost all Japanese cars have excellent anti-corrosion properties, after 2005 onwards.
Galvanizing of car bodies of domestic production
A little earlier, body parts were made of galvanized sheet steel, which were delivered from abroad, which significantly affected the cost of the car. Now Avto-VAZ cars are equipped with body parts that are manufactured at domestic metallurgical plants. Body parts are hot-dip galvanized and then used for assembly.
For example, in VAZ, the body structure includes 47 galvanized parts, which make up about 50% of the car's weight. If the body is not fully galvanized, then the most vulnerable body parts are galvanized. Typically, all floor panels, sills, body sides, front and rear door panels, as well as rear and front fenders are processed.
Izhevsk cars, as well as UAZ products, can also boast that body parts are hot-dip galvanized, which significantly increases the service life of the cars. Considering the question of which cars have a galvanized body, we note that car bodies that are not fully galvanized are covered with an anti-corrosion layer that can prevent rust for a long time.
Regardless of the technology used, and there can be several of them, starting with partial hot-dip galvanizing and ending with zinc primers, coating a car body with zinc dramatically increases its resistance to corrosion. Iron and zinc form a galvanic pair, upon contact with which the electrolyte will destroy the zinc, and not the body iron parts.
Any form of water can act as an electrolyte. Many bodies of cars, both domestically produced and foreign cars, have zinc coating.
Russian cars
Not only foreign companies, but also domestic ones can use modern technologies in the course of car production. So the firms of the brands also began to cover the bodies with a layer of zinc during the assembly of various models.
But not everything is as good as it seems. Only individual machine parts can be galvanized, and for the complete treatment of the body, a special soil is used, in which only particles of zinc are present, this protection is enough for a maximum of 5 years.
Lada Vesta
All body panels are galvanized on both sides, using the most efficient hot-dip galvanizing process. Only in hidden cavities that do not have direct contact with the environment, they limited themselves to the application of a zinc-containing cataphoresis primer.
Independent tests have shown that it resists corrosion in the best way among domestic cars. Even after artificially breaking the outer coatings, the zinc-protected metal successfully resisted rust in the salt spray chamber.
Lada X-RAY
The car is manufactured using almost the same advanced technology as the Lada Vesta. Only the roof panels are not galvanized. However, on tests, the roof showed better results than many foreign cars.
Due to the total amount of zinc on the body, which forms the galvanic protection, as well as the zinc-containing primer.
Lada Granta
A third by weight of body parts in this model is galvanized. And of this amount, three quarters - with the use of the most reliable double-sided hot zinc coating. All parts are also primed with cataphoresis.
Lada Largus
At the same time, the body warranty has been significantly increased. By its value, one can judge the degree of protection. The firm traditionally does not provide exact information, although it is known that this is a hot two-way method.
BMW and Mercedes
These companies use a galvanized type of zinc coating for the bodies. The method is not the most perfect, but it leads to good results, since in these companies it is combined with the use of special steel for bodies, initially resistant to corrosion.
The premium nature of the brands ensures the same level of protection for all models, regardless of their class.
Chevrolet Lacetti
Far from being the most prestigious and expensive, but at the behest of a manufacturer who responsibly approached the quality, full galvanized body was applied on it.
The result is known to the owners - a cheap car, contrary to expectations, does not rot. A good example for many other brands.
Summing up, we can conclude that today, almost all new cars have body galvanized, somewhere it is made with high quality, somewhere it is only partial processing. Another thing is that manufacturers give a guarantee for the operation of units and mechanisms for a period of no more than 5 years, and during this time the body certainly should not rot.
