CHASSIS TREATMENTS COMPARED

GENERALLY
MMC BLACK PAINT
MMC HOT DIP GALVANIZATION
MMC GOO UNDERCOATING
MMC AUTOPHORETIC PAINT (A-COATING)
AFTERMARKET POWDER COATING
RESTORERS TWO-PACK

GENERALLY

Firstly, this article is a result of much research and experience, along with many conversations and working alongside of patiners and restorers, even Concours competitors. I have fully restored a few cars of my own and helped scores do so. I have had more than twenty-five years listening to chassis issues from around the world. My inbox is never empty of Morgan problems! (wry smile).

I also was born and lived in Canada. The conditions are harsh for automobile chassis..snow, ice, salt. Yet two decades ago, the government passed laws forcing cr manufacturers to rust warrantees and minimum surface/perforation minimums and Canadians left that era behind. I know what is possible. I now live in Ecuador high in the Andes, where there is no rust.

Secondly, so far, this article primrily addresses new car chassis treatments. The reason for this is simple. The chassis preparation for used car chassis coating and restoration is the most important factor to this form and stage of chassis protection. The best coating in the world will not overcome errors in used chassis preparation. For example, in the case of one of my restorations, the chassis was taken from the car, sand-blasted thoroughly, acid-washed, heat room dried before the long coating process was begun.

Thirdly, there are many processes I do not cover. Some are akin nd as effective aso ritual chanting. One example would be the venerable waxoyl, a great idea in the 1960s but dated now.

Lastly, the effectiveness and need for high level coating varies from one environment to another. The most extreme is the in the United Kingdom and adjacent Europe., while in the Andes no rust protection is needed at all!  It is also a curious facts that autombile chassis protection garners cultural beleifs and deep passion in different countries. bizarre but true. Forgive me if I simply present data and ignore cultural sensitivities.

MMC Black Paint

The original Morgan chassis finish. A simple brush-applied coat of black paint.

BENEFITS of black paint:

Inexpensive and easy.

Vintage.

Everything is visible allowing for rust removal when it merely begins. Rust protection for conscientious owners made easy.

It can be touched up.

PROBLEMS of black paint:

No meaningful rust or metal protection in and of itself.

Uneven and unattractive.


MMC Hot Dip Galvanization

Hot dip galvanizing is a form of galvanization. It is the process of coating iron, steel or aluminum with a thin zinc layer, by passing the metal through a molten bath of zinc at a temperature of around 860 °F (460 °C). When exposed to the atmosphere, the pure zinc (Zn) reacts with oxygen (O2) to form zinc oxide (ZnO), which further reacts with carbon dioxide (CO2) to form zinc carbonate (ZnCO3), a usually dull grey, fairly strong material that stops further corrosion in many circumstances, protecting the steel below from the elements. Galvanized steel is widely used in applications where rust resistance is needed and our products comply with ASTM A123 (American standard), BS EN ISO 1461 (British standard), AS/NZS 4680 (Australian/New Zealand standard), JIS H8641 (Japanese standard) and GBT 13912 (Chinese standard) standards.

BENEFITS of hot dip galvanization are:

Competitive first cost - As a highly mechanized, closely controlled process, hot dip galvanizing can be carried out very economically in large batches. The alternative - hand painting - is highly labor intensive. However, other paint alternatives can be even less expensive.

 Lowest lifetime cost - Low initial cost and long life make hot dip galvanizing the most versatile and economic way of protecting steel for long periods (25 + years).
   
Long life - Hot dip galvanizing has many years proven performance. Long life up to seventy years is commonplace in most atmospheres.
           
Reliability - The process is simple, straightforward and closely controlled. The coating thicknesses are regular, predictable and easily specified.
   
Speed of application - A fully galvanized protective coating can be applied in a few hours. A proper four coat paint system requires approximately one week.
  
Complete coverage - As it is dipped in molten zinc, all parts of the surfaces are coated - inside and out - including awkward corners and narrow gaps.
   
Coating toughness - Hot dip galvanizing is unique - the coating bonds metallurgically with the steel giving a much greater resistance to damage than other coatings.
   
Ease of inspection - Coating thickness can be checked easily with the use of a magnetic probe (Elcometer).
  
 Faster construction - Hot dip galvanized steel is ready for use. No further site preparation, painting or inspection is necessary. Once erected, cladding can begin immediately, thus                      accelerating the construction programme.

PROBLEMS of hot dip galvanization

Galvanization can be breached. In fact, the Morgan company has a problem that other car manufacturers do not. As each car iss slightly different, the final holes for some fittings can     only be done after the chassis arrives. The making of these holes pierces the ptoective galvanization..a no-no. Morgan attempts to remedy this with various products that cover the drilled holes.

The classic effect of pierced galavanization is that rust can begin and the galvanization holds it within its protection and, along with the tar-like goo the factory presumably uses to reduce squeaking noises) the rapid rusting underneath is hidden from view.

It cannot be touched up as one can with paint coatings.

It is environmentally unfriendly.

Despite the problems noted, galvanization is the best chassis protection that the Factory has ever used.  This is not to say it is the best undercoating.

MMC A-Coating

A-coating, also known as Autophoretic or autodeposition, is a waterborne process which depends on chemical reactions to achieve an thorough and even spread, The process has been in commercial use since 1975. Its usage has been a function of ever-stricter environmental laws prohibiting other methods. There are numerous installations in operation coating a variety of fabricated steel parts for the automotive and general industry markets. and the Morgan company has recently adopted it..(red paint for specials and black paint for regular cars [classics only]).

BENEFITS of A-coating:

A-coating provides the same adhesion as galvanization, though its thinness is considerably less resistant. The organic film bonds with released iron ions and is actually etched into the steel surface, making it resistant to abrasion, chipping and scratching, also helps as an anti-corrosive.

Its low viscosity flows easily to all difficult recesses, threaded surfaces, joints and welds assuring a complete coating envelope. Autophoretic coatings are typically 0.6 to 1.0 mil, and can be precisely controlled through time and temperature baths.

A-coating is environmentally friendly. Water-based Autophoretic coatings are VOC (volatile organic compounds) free and have virtually no impact on the environment.

It is much cheaper than galvanization, powder coating or 2 Pack.

It copies the appearance of 2 Pack painting without the cost.

It can be touched up with a brush or a spray can.


PROBLEMS of A-coating:

Preparation, application and and curing must be precisely and thorough. Any prejudice the the treated suface, before application or during the post-appliction treatment can create "voids" that compromise the protection hoped for.

It has been been determined that this coating will fail and/or corrosion will become evident faster than galvinization. For that reason, it does not meet most manufacturers’ quality standards for a chassis at the recommended coating thickness (though it passes regulatory tests for its friendliness to the environment). Observations indicate that all other methods, save paint, will outperform A-coat in terms of chassis protection from rust or impacts. It is as yet unknown if the coating is failing at its recommended thickness due to the coating material or from the coating process or mere cracking. Time will certainly shed more light on this.

The GoMoG rep, common sense, a quick "google" or a comparison of salt spray resistance should suffice as proof for anyone. However, those with a priority to the Factory or an ongoing beef with GoMoG will become nutty and irate. Be kind to them. Not everyone's first loyalty is to their fellow owners. That is why GoMoG was created. It's for you. Additionally, in the area of blame, it is likely the Factory decisions in this area are influenced by the march of new local regulations to protect the environment (toxic waste). Many better coatings, paint and plating from the past are either prohibited or costly now. Analagous prejudice to the performance characteristic of the cars and owner interaction is inevitable with new regulatorially compliant engines (emissions legislation) and regulatory safety measures (added weight).

University of Western Michigan Sparta Paint and Coating Systems South Atlantic Comparison Journal of Applied Electrochemistry  etc.

MMC "Goo" Undercoating 

This coating has gone by many names since the days of yore.. It is various thick tar-like goo(s) that have been used, off and on, by the Factory since 1983 and even, inexplicably, into the present era where it covers presumably non-rusting stainless steel, non-rusting aluminium panels and, up to recently, galvanized chassis. It is done by local suppliers, near to the Factory. No answer has ever been adequately given as for its rationale, especially since its limited effectiveness and aesthetic prejudice to the automobiles is no longer a debate. As well, so many other protections are available and/or used. It has been the subject of legal claims by buyers.

BENEFITS of goo under coating:

It is cheap.

It muffles squeaking. Squeaking is the inevitable vintage result of combining a flexing chassis, a wooden body tub and inadequate maintenance/attention.

PROBLEMS of goo under coating:

The goo never completely hardens, and flows into crevices, and covers wire colors and connectors.

It makes a Morgan, once known as a joy to work on, unpleasant to maintain.

Removing it will take approximated 200 man hours.

Once the coating is prejudiced in any way, it will hold and hide rust.

I have never seen an undercoated Morgan rank in a Concours competition. This is actually unfair as so many Morgans since 1982 have been treated this way originally at the Factory.  

EX-MMC Powdercoating

A process favored by the aftermarket and restorers, powder coating is a type of coating that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. The coating is typically applied electrostatically and is then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a "skin". The powder may be a thermoplastic or a thermoset polymer. It is usually used to create a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint and can take a lot of punishment without being prejudiced. Powder coating is mainly used for coating of metals, in this case automobile parts.

BENEFITS of powder coating:

It emits zero or near zero volatile organic compounds (VOC).

It can produce much thicker coatings than conventional liquid coatings without running or sagging.

It's overspray can be recycled and thus it is possible to achieve nearly 100% use of the coating.

It produces less hazardous waste than conventional liquid coatings.
 
It generally has fewer appearance differences between horizontally coated surfaces and vertically coated surfaces than liquid coated items.

It is capable of a wide range of specialty effects impossible to achieve with other coating processes.

It may cause the Factory to stop the goo-coting process for good.

PROBLEMS of powdercoating:

 Application expertise is key. Problems can appear with low exxpertise or attention to detail

The process is expensive.

It cannot be touched up as one can with paint coatings.

EX-MMC Restorers' 2-Pack

2 Pack paint is a type of automotive paint that is considered the best from the vintage restorers for non-body panel exteriors. It is used mainly in the spraypainting trade as it is extremly hazardous. It must be only sprayed in a spray booth and with the correct safety equipment with masks and overalls. It requires a hardener to be added to it so it sets just right. When used on a chassis, top restoration professionals first use a rust treatment and then an impact coating.

BENEFITS of 2 Pack:

Better than acrylic paints.

Good protection against rust and impacts.

Brilliant baby smooth finish. The best aesthetics of any chassis finish.

PROBLEMS of 2 Pack:

Hazardous to apply.

High level of expertise necessary.

Labor intensive.