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Galvanising electroplated steel

Is it possible to galvanize electroplated steel?
Due to some bad advice, I have already plated the steel, and it is now rusting.
Can I galvanize it without first removing the plating?
Also why is it that the electroplating method does not coat the inside of the steel tube in the same way that galvanising would.

Thanks

Warren Mc Hendry
Builder - Capetown, Westerncape, South Africa
July 12, 2010

Sir:

Assuming the electroplate is zinc, the galvanizing company will strip this zinc off in acid and then simply hot dip galvanize it in the normal way. Electroplate zinc is typically a few microns thick and hot dip galvanizing is usually 50 microns or thicker in zinc. Lifetime is directly related to zinc thickness.

Regards,

Dr. Thomas H. Cook
Galvanizing Consultant - Hot Springs, South Dakota, USA

In order to apply hot dipped galvanize to a product that has been electroplated, the electroplated surface must be removed. This can be done in an acid bath (pickling) prior to the hot dip process. This may take a little longer than the "normal" pickling time. You may find it difficult locating a galvanizer willing to do this.

Terry Magyar
- Gahanna, Ohio

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