Will galvanized coating go dark grey over time?

[The motor guy]

I bought some galvanized rims for a trailer I bought to replace the white steel painted rims which will rust in a heart beat in salt water. Anyways, these look more like they're zinc coated and not galvanized. Pretty sure it is galvanized, but every galvanized rim I've seen was much darker. They make everything so cheap looking nowadays. Will these rims darken over time? They dont match good at all. The trailer itself is a dark galvanized color

 

[Bailes1992]

Fresh galv is always bright and shiny. It's most durable once the surface layer is oxidised and darker though.

Galv aside, if these are going in salt water I'd t-wash them and give them a few coats of an epoxy mastic.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Steel is steel. Salt water will get at those galvanized rims on way or another. Prime them and POR-15 them. Allow to fully cure before dumping them in the ocean. Make sure you paint good around the valve stems. Trust me. I live in the Salt Belt. NO STEEL is safe from salt, not even stainless steel. I replaced many stainless steel exhausts due to salt corrosion. You should have went with aluminum rims.

 

[nthach]

I have a HDG steel scuba tank in the garage. They do develop a patina over time but it’ll be a steely gray. But those wheels got a simple galvanize and will rust over time. Expect to do maintenance over time.

 

[Pablo]

Galvanized is zinc coating, so not sure what you mean. Do you mean zinc electroplated vs hot dipped?

Both will darken with age.

 

[The motor guy]

Galvanized is zinc coating, so not sure what you mean. Do you mean zinc electroplated vs hot dipped?

Both will darken with age.

I'd have to send a pic. I guess they have a more matte grey color thats darker and a more shiny chrome looking galvanized steel coating that is what is pictured above. I always thought everything was hot dipped galvanized. Didnt know they had a more glossy finish option. We will see how it lasts I guess. I've had 20 year old boat trailers dipped in salt water and the rims were the least of the problems, but that was a nice thick old fashioned grey hot dipped galvanized

 

[Nessism1]

Galvanized is a zinc coating. Maybe applied via a different process compared to some other zinc plating operations? Not sure. But basically the same end game.

 

[The motor guy]

Galvanized is a zinc coating. Maybe applied via a different process compared to some other zinc plating operations? Not sure. But basically the same end game.

Either way it will go to a darker grey over time?

 

[Pablo]

Either way it will go to a darker grey over time?

Yes for sure it will. It's just bright shiny new. It will oxidize gray

 

[The motor guy]

Yes for sure it will. It's just bright shiny new. It will oxidize gray

Ok. Good deal

 

[The motor guy]

Okay. I got them installed. They look good i think, but I was wondering could I get these powder coated a glossy black? Would that still be good in saltwater? Would that go well with the color of the trailer already?

 

[CarbonToast]

The wheels look Zinc Electroplated Plated. Galvanized is when the metal is dipped into molten zinc.

I know nothing about boat trailers and salt water. If it were me, I would just wash off the trailer regularly and realize no matter what you do its going to rust. In 3-5 years you need new tires anyway so just buy premounted and replace the wheels too.

 

[The motor guy]

The wheels look Zinc Electroplated Plated. Galvanized is when the metal is dipped into molten zinc.

I know nothing about boat trailers and salt water. If it were me, I would just wash off the trailer regularly and realize no matter what you do its going to rust. In 3-5 years you need new tires anyway so just buy premounted and replace the wheels too.

Well they're selling them as galvanized. Went to Walmart and saw the same thing. Probably a cheaper method. They arent claiming hot dipped galvanized anymore it seems though

 

[ryanschillinger]

Probably similar to the ones I got for our boat trailers. Clean them after saltwater and they’ll be fine. No need to do anything else. They’ve been holding up for a few years no problem on 2 different trailers.

 

[The motor guy]

Probably similar to the ones I got for our boat trailers. Clean them after saltwater and they’ll be fine. No need to do anything else. They’ve been holding up for a few years no problem on 2 different trailers.

Im sure, but i just want to jazz them up a bit. Not sure if that color will go good. Black and grey does match though I believe

 

[Pablo]

Okay. I got them installed. They look good i think, but I was wondering could I get these powder coated a glossy black? Would that still be good in saltwater? Would that go well with the color of the trailer already?

https://www.bassplating.com/can-you-powder-coat-over-zinc-plating

This should work. Do it right and wheels should last a long time. But still rinse!!

 

[Jetronic]

galvanized or zinc coated metal is harder to paint and get a good, lasting finish. I'm sure it can be done, as cars show. But quite a few cars also show paint striiping and exposing the galvanised steel. Carefully consider if it's worth the risk of not turning out good, or not lasting.

Powder coating might be better, but it also tends to cover up rust without preventing it.

 

[The motor guy]

galvanized or zinc coated metal is harder to paint and get a good, lasting finish. I'm sure it can be done, as cars show. But quite a few cars also show paint striiping and exposing the galvanised steel. Carefully consider if it's worth the risk of not turning out good, or not lasting.

Powder coating might be better, but it also tends to cover up rust without preventing it.

I think its like $50 to do these small 12" rims. Not like i cant have them redo it every 10 years