unistrut + rust

[72puma]

which unistrut channel finish will give me the longest rust protection in an outdoor enviroment? stainless not considered for cost reasons.
i was thinking perma gold because plateing is done after machining and cutting leaving no exposed edges.
maybe rate pregalvinized, hotdiped galvinized,perma gold,green painted in order of corrosion resistance? thanks

 

[Frank The Plumber]

When you cut the strut you are going to open the coating at the cut.

The fasteners will be the weak spot in the finish.

Is this yours or spec for a job.

 

[ishiboo]

which unistrut channel finish will give me the longest rust protection in an outdoor enviroment? stainless not considered for cost reasons.
i was thinking perma gold because plateing is done after machining and cutting leaving no exposed edges.
maybe rate pregalvinized, hotdiped galvinized,perma gold,green painted in order of corrosion resistance? thanks

I'm pretty sure the outdoor commercial around here uses either hot or cold galvanized, I've never seen the gold nor green outside. I think those two would provide the best protection for the least money.

 

[72puma]

use for solar panel mounting and no cutting.

 

[buzz4041]

Use the hot dipped galvanized strut. When making cuts spray 2 coats with cold galvanizing zinc. This will outlast you. This is basic spec for industrial applications on the gulf coast.

 

[rockwithjason]

galvanized. use cold galvanize spray for any cuts or defects.

 

[gmwelder86]

Stainless extra money but no rust. Or cold galvy paint

 

[Furious D]

We use galvinized all the time and like they said use the spray and it will hold up in the most extreme climates.


Last time I had to use stainless unistrut for a hospital job it was around $100 a stick. They also make it in fiberglass but I dont think it would be good for prolonged outdoor use.

I love unistrut. I built both my benches in the garage out of it and I want to build a motorcycle lift table with it when I get some time.

 

[eberliron]

If you prefer not to use the stainless steel due to the prohibitive nature of its cost, you might consider using the aluminum channel, which is used in many outdoor applications, including solar. You won't have to worry about rust, even if you cut it, and it's much cheaper than the stainless. Eberl Iron Works has been an independent distributor of the Unistrut Metal Framing System since 1946. www.eberliron.com

 

[AZ Pete]

We always specified aluminum channel and angle for solar panel mounting, whether it was a roof top or on a light pole. If you are going to use steel do as buzz4041 says.

 

[dladcock]

Use the hot dipped galvanized strut. When making cuts spray 2 coats with cold galvanizing zinc. This will outlast you. This is basic spec for industrial applications on the gulf coast.

^^^^ What he says and I use this and have had excellent results. As an unrelated side note, I painted the headers on the car in the avatar in 2006.. still going strong.


http://www.lpslabs.com/product_pg/corrosion_pg/ColdGalvanize.html

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The gold colored unistrut is a cadmium plate, and it will rust quite easily when exposed to weather, great indoors however. The galvanize finish is much better, and certain to last longer, and not leave rust stains all over.

Charles

 

[DHCrocks]

Check out http://unirac.com. For aluminum solar panel mounts.

 

[danski0224]

Have you looked at 80/20?

 

[38Chevy454]

Hot dip galvanized is about 10-20 times thicker than electroplated. The gold color is from chromate conversion coating over elecgtroplated zinc, which is good for extra corrosion resistance. For outdoors the hot dip zinc is the best choice.

Agree that painting over the cuts is about the best you can do for protection, it will always be weaker than the hot dip coating.