Thursday 20 December 2018

How To Lengthen The Lifespan Of Your Car

By Linda McDonald


One of the greatest technological triumphs ever achieved by man is the invention of autos. This engineering wonder has changed the way merchandise and people move in modern times. It has taken over the inner city streets and thoroughfares. It certainly overran the role of locomotives and carriages drawn by horses as the main mode of transportation. Its mainframe has a protective coating known as chassis paint.

The car is an equipment that is composed of several components. It is a synchronized movement of many parts that make up the whole. This conglomeration of parts is mounted on a steel frame commonly known in the industry as the chassis. It certainly is where the engine is and the exterior bodywork is mounted. This frame is mostly made of high grade steel.

The auto production industry and the steel industry came together during the mid eighties to firm up research in steel manufacturing as it relates to the car manufacturing industry. The research was conducted on metal texture and quality, paint adhesion, and strength to weight ratio. Attempts were made to produce lightweight materials that would not diminish the strength aspect.

Protective coatings and paint are applied in underbody frames at several access points. These are left purposely by fabricators and is a standard industry practice. Fabricator needs to assemble and join together several pieces of the base structure through welding and with nuts and bolts. How this is assembled and integrated has an impact on its ability to mitigate oxidation.

The steel structure is tested on its ability to resist oxidation when it is designed. Test models are produced and undergo testing in laboratories using sample parts or the whole structure itself and it undergoes road simulation tests in the field with real on the road simulation. It is a fact that defects and damage on the chassis are most often unseen by owners.

As this is the main metal structure that holds an automobile together. Extra care is exercised in fabricating it. Despite its relative strength, steel is very susceptible to the effects of water and oxygen. These are the main elements that will degrade its quality over time if left unchecked. Oxidation is the main cause of corrosion and rust which are air and waterborne.

This structural component has to be protected to preserve its strength and integrity in holding up the other components. These are mostly painted using two methods. The first one is called the hot wax method. This is a compound of thermoplastic elements that is mixed with a solvent. The second one is the electrocoating method using paint with high adhesion qualities.

Vehicles that are already operational and traveling on roads would have organic coatings on it. This is a very cost effective, high quality paint that adds additional barrier which will prevent air, water, and other particles from coming into contact with the base metal. This is with simple brushes or sprayers. The paint application has an instructional guide which must be followed.

Bringing your car to a shop for servicing is good but often owners focus only on having it washed and cleaned. Some are conscious of having the undersides cleaned but mostly it is only cosmetic, just plainly removing dirt and grime using water jet spraying. Some do have the presence of mind to have grease points checked, but most never inspect the chassis and its condition.




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