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Q&As since 1989


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Plating nails

looking for information on plating nails and rust prevention coatings for nails and effects of common liquids on the nails and coating/plating

Ray Presnak
1998

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Most shiny nails are zinc electroplated or unplated; the heavier, rougher, non-shiny coating you see on roofing nails is hot dip galvanizing. The most common liquid, water, will start turning the nails white fairly soon as the zinc corrodes. When the zinc is fairly well gone the steel nail will begin rusting.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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1998

Ray,

One solution for additional corrosion protection on electroplated nails, can be provided by a process name "Roplast" manufactured by McGean-Rohco, Inc of Cleveland Ohio.

Domingos J C Spinelli

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Ray,

The person to talk to is Gord Allison of Macdermid. Gord has an extensive library of plating nails mechanically. Typical corrosion in NSS for a 1.0 mil coating is 250 to 400 hours to RR.

R Delorey
- IP, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
1998

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Please note that a substantial trend in nail industry is to utilize a cold galvanizing method called mechanical plating or mechanical galvanizing. Coatings comparable to hot dip galvanizing in thicknesses up to 100 microns (4 mils) or about 2.4 oz/sq ft are attainable with excellent corrosion resistant properties. Typical cycle is about 30-40 minutes and load sizes up to 3500 lb of nails are possible. "Alloy" type coatings can be processed in same equipment using aluminum, nickel, tin, and other metals in addition to the zinc. See article in Fastener Age International (--), Wire Association International Conference Proceedings (68th Annual Convention - June 98), and ASM Handbook Volume 5: Surface Engineering, for more detailed information.

Arnold Satow
- Cleveland, Ohio
1998

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Now let's work on steering this discussion towards answering Mr. Presnek's question about "effects of common liquids on the nails and coating/plating". Does anybody have comments on other liquids than water -- for example, gasoline, oil, rubbing alcohol, acetone [on eBay or Amazon], liquid wax, furniture polish?

  
Tom Pullizzi
Falls Township, Pennsylvania

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Common acids, alkaline solutions, aqueous solutions containing oxidizing agents or high valence metal ions (e.g. Cu +2) will result in the corrosion of galvanized nails. Neutral organic liquids do not basically hurt galvanized steels.

Ling

Ling Hao
- Grand Rapids, Michigan
1998

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Our builder used poor quality nails for securing pressed siding to our home (18 months old) and the heads of the painted nails are beginning to corrode (rust) what can be done to repair the problem so the rusting stops?

Also what are the possibilities that the body of the nail is also rusting weakening the adhesion to the home frame? Are there legal cases where this issue has been resolved? Thank you.

Bruce MacDonald
- Poulsbo WA
2000

I am looking for information on the type of rosin that is typically applied to wire nails. I understand it is either dipped or sprayed on the nails. What is this rosin called? Who supplies this? What does it cost per gallon? How is it applied? Are there any EPA regulations? Any information would be extremely helpful! Thanks

Shannon Grieshop
- Ft. Recovery, Ohio
2000