List Of New Parts Versus Existing Parts Thread

[Cache Man]

I'm pretty sure the inner tube frames will be filled with an economical blend that the Elio will also be used in the cylinders. It is the same stuff Ford uses - a 78% nitrogen/20% oxygen blend.

Ha! Oxygen tanks... or tubes!

 

[Jay3wheel]

It is cool that the Elio will have body panels out of material like the Corvette which will not rust. I hope Elio powder coats the frame and nitrogen gas in the inner frame tubes. The Elio would last a while then.

The Elio frame I believe it has been stated, will be dipped for rust prevention.

 

[wheaters]

I hope they dip them in hot Zinc. They would last a very, very long time. Much of the cost of owning a vehicle is that lost in depreciation. The longer you own it, the cheaper it tends to become.

 

[Jay3wheel]

I hope they dip them in hot Zinc. They would last a very, very long time. Much of the cost of owning a vehicle is that lost in depreciation. The longer you own it, the cheaper it tends to become.

I am pretty sure it is not Zinc.

 

[wheaters]

I'm sure you're right. A shame if they don't though.

 

[JEBar]

many RV manufactures have gone to power coating their frames and that seems to work well .... trust me, it there was a cheaper way to go, they would use it .... there was a discussion of sealing the bottom of with a thin shield which would improve aerodynamics but was said to cost a few $$$

 

[Cache Man]

I hope they dip them in hot Zinc. They would last a very, very long time. Much of the cost of owning a vehicle is that lost in depreciation. The longer you own it, the cheaper it tends to become.

Powder coating is less expensive than dip tanks and hazmat. Typically with aircraft they put in inert gas like argon in the frame tubing and then sealed it with a weld. This prevented oxygen from oxidizing or initiating rust inside the tubing. Motorcycle frames are powder coated. This is very durable against rusting and damage from handling. Typically a zinc base primer would be good but it isn't as durable. The tubing could have rust inside which would cause rust to eat away from the inside out.

 

[Cache Man]

many RV manufactures have gone to power coating their frames and that seems to work well .... trust me, it there was a cheaper way to go, they would use it .... there was a discussion of sealing the bottom of with a thin shield which would improve aerodynamics but was said to cost a few $$$

If they don't have undercoating at the Elio factory I will have to bring my own and borrow one of Elio's lifts! This helps prevent rust and adds sound deadening.

 

[JEBar]

If they don't have undercoating at the Elio factory I will have to bring my own and borrow one of Elio's lifts! This helps prevent rust and adds sound deadening.

agree .... once we get ours I'll take a look and if it appears that it would be beneficial, I'd take it and have it sprayed .... spraying it with something like Line-X might be worth considering

 

[wheaters]

Powder coating is less expensive than dip tanks and hazmat. Typically with aircraft they put in inert gas like argon in the frame tubing and then sealed it with a weld. This prevented oxygen from oxidizing or initiating rust inside the tubing. Motorcycle frames are powder coated. This is very durable against rusting and damage from handling. Typically a zinc base primer would be good but it isn't as durable. The tubing could have rust inside which would cause rust to eat away from the inside out.

Yes, I'm aware of the cost difference; I own a DIY powder coating machine which has proved very useful and quite cheap to use. My present fun car (the Liege in my avatar) has a powder coated chassis. Powder coating is great but I've seen what happens when the edges get knocked off a powder coated chassis and rust starts to get underneath. I have to keep a pot of satin black gloss for touching in the damage.

I've also owned a car with a hot dip galvanised chassis (I stripped it for parts to build the Liege). Galvanisation on a car chassis is more durable and it would be my personal preference if there was a choice. I'd pay the extra.