Cargo Trailer Rebuild - Questions about restoring galvanized door hardware

[HKlassen]

So I use a 15 year old 20' enclosed cargo trailer to bring things into my shop, and to take them out. Mostly cars that I'm working on. I figured it was time to rebuild it as I was getting some dents, corrosion, etc. Nothing overly taxing, just time and effort.

BUT I ran into something that I haven't had to deal with before. The door hardware (hinges, cambar locks, etc) are all galvanized. And at 15 years old, they have some of the white corrosion on them. My initial thought was to sand blast them to clean, and either paint or powder coat them into a flat black to make them look better and protect them.

Now, I'm finding that cleaning and painting galvanized metal is not as simple a process as I'd thought, but I can't find any good articles or advise online but figured this group would be able to provide some feedback. I look forward to the responses! Thanks in advance.

 

[jhelrey]

I bought brand new ones for my sled trailer because they had aluminum bars and with the snow, etc. They bent easily and then wouldn't hold the ramp tight. Bought all new coated ones in zinc or galvanized. Regardless, they were white and dull within weeks due to the salt. With that said, I'm not changing them again.

 

[shaune]

I have smaller automotive pieces redone in zinc or cadmium. I think it was zinc dichromate and it was done at a machine shop, plating place. Isn’t cheap though. Maybe powder coat or paint would be cheaper.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd consider buying new hardware. There's place around Elkhart,Indiana that sell surplus stuff. Maybe checking online with them, you'll find stuff reasonably priced.

 

[sberry]

While a guy is looking for all that wire wheel and spray paint with some appliance paint.

 

[driftpin]

Isn't galvanized treatment and the flakes from it, carcinogenic? Media blasting or wire-wheel grinding seems like the 'gift which keeps-on giving,' and not in a good-way!

This MSDS says, "yes!"

https://www.atc-mechanical.com/wp-c...sds-allied-mechanical-galvanized-products.pdf

 

[Showkey]

Isn't galvanized treatment and the flakes from it, carcinogenic? Media blasting or wire-wheel grinding seems like the 'gift which keeps-on giving,' and not in a good-way!*

This MSDS says, "yes!"

https://www.atc-mechanical.com/wp-c...sds-allied-mechanical-galvanized-products.pdf

*Along with just about everything else in the shop..........So........

Blast it and paint or powder coat.......with the normal safety precautions.

 

[Firebrick43]

Isn't galvanized treatment and the flakes from it, carcinogenic? Media blasting or wire-wheel grinding seems like the 'gift which keeps-on giving,' and not in a good-way!

This MSDS says, "yes!"

https://www.atc-mechanical.com/wp-c...sds-allied-mechanical-galvanized-products.pdf

Do you like chewing on it or eating the sand out of the blast cabinet?

 

[driftpin]

*Along with just about everything else in the shop..........So........

Blast it and paint or powder coat.......with the normal safety precautions.

Do you like chewing on it or eating the sand out of the blast cabinet?

At what point did you purchase the appropriate breathing apparatus and ventilation equipment for the scope of work to do any grinding, wire-brushing, or welding on galvanized material?

Please list your normal safety precautions so we can all follow them. By its nature, galvanized material calls-for specific and detailed criteria to be met, to safely work with it. What is a series of normal safety precautions for mild steel or mill-finish aluminum is much-different for galvanized material.

An OSHA case-study brief on galvanized material working:
https://www.osha.gov/dts/maritime/sltc/ships/hotwork/hazard_exposure4.html

Steve McQueen is reported to have sustained enough exposure to toxic materials during his time as a welder in the Brooklyn Naval Yard while he was young, to cause his death from cancer early in life.

A document from the US EPA about the potential for inhalation or other opportunistic methods of exposure to carcinogens commonly found in building materials:
https://environmentaleducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AHI-Manual-022112.pdf

As a retired firefighter/paramedic who faced daily exposure to hazardous materials during my career I take a serious approach to monitoring my state of health. The Metro-Dade County Florida Fire-Rescue has been conducting a longitudinal study on the exposure of firefighters to carcinogens. Their findings have driven an international, industry-wide series of changes in how firefighting is done, what equipment is worn, the design and the use of apparatus and equipment, and even the design of fire stations.
http://www.floridahealth.gov/provid...alth-grand-rounds/FLDOHGrandRounds_040518.pdf

As a fire service instructor I take such education seriously to permit the current and prospective firefighters in training to hopefully-avoid those circumstances which could curtail their life expectancy.

The weekend warrior or the working professional needs to comply with industry safe practices to avoid exposure which detrimentally affects his or her health. Ignore this at your own risk.

 

[Firebrick43]

I have had a full face respirator since 18 or 19. Thanks for asking.

But don’t forget to tell the rest of Steve’s McQueen’s story, such as he was not employed by the shipyard but serving hard labor for violations of the UCMJ and smoked. Also wore asbestos suits for hours on end while racing.

But telling only partial truths does rule people up. I have seen those paralyzed by fear when the find out that the floor tiles they had been walking on had asbestos and seriously thought they would get cancer.