Originally Posted by 14Sport

Good info, jna. So a coat of paint over the zinc chromate is just an added bonus and does not affect the rust-resistance of the undercoat, yet provides excellent backup if the paint is chipped?

Originally Posted by Maertz

Trust me a zinc plated part will rust hellafast and a yellowzinc coated part (zinc chromate) will rust aswell. It does last way longer, but will still rust. In most areas its not noticable and will be really noticable in salty areas. I know how theyre processed and the coatings are applied. Powdercoat will rust when it scratched or got holes as you said but the coating itself holds up to salt and stuff better. Also water heaters rods are usually aluminum or magnesium on the outer portion if I recall, but thats not at all my expertise. But all coatings will rust when beat on, best way to avoid that part is go aluminum arms. Even stainless is not the best option when salt is eating at stuff.

Originally Posted by 14Sport

Good info, jna. So a coat of paint over the zinc chromate is just an added bonus and does not affect the rust-resistance of the undercoat, yet provides excellent backup if the paint is chipped?

Originally Posted by jnabird333

Your right, I should of added that the sacrificial part is largely dependent on how thick the plating is. If it is thin it will not take long to get eaten through. Since coating doesn't get eaten it is good as long as it is undamaged.

FWIW: There are some guys I know running uncoated MC arms in southern Ohio (winter salted roads) and they do not show rust (other than where heavily scratched) after two years.

Originally Posted by Maertz

i dont have there arms, but there rear bracket is a VERY thin coating. Salt is hell on the coatings aswell so thats a big factor.

Originally Posted by Maertz

Trust me a zinc plated part will rust hellafast and a yellowzinc coated part (zinc chromate) will rust aswell. It does last way longer, but will still rust. In most areas its not noticable and will be really noticable in salty areas. I know how theyre processed and the coatings are applied. Powdercoat will rust when it scratched or got holes as you said but the coating itself holds up to salt and stuff better. Also water heaters rods are usually aluminum or magnesium on the outer portion if I recall, but thats not at all my expertise. But all coatings will rust when beat on, best way to avoid that part is go aluminum arms. Even stainless is not the best option when salt is eating at stuff.

Originally Posted by jnabird333

That isn't good news... I haven't received my kit yet, all my experience with the MC parts is somewhat second hand. Good thing I plan on painting the parts anyway huh

Originally Posted by Maertz

i dont have there arms, but there rear bracket is a VERY thin coating. Salt is hell on the coatings aswell so thats a big factor. Im from Wisconsin and have dealt with many coated fasteners in various climates.

Originally Posted by 14Sport

In my kit the arms coating was definitely thicker than the bracket.

Originally Posted by Maertz

Thats good thatll help alot.