ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS
Process engineering
A chemical stripping and cleaning system that offers real advantages to racecar constructors
an average of about
31kg saved over the stripped ’shell
weight from a car was to acid dip the bodyshell. Unfortunately, the process had a number of flaws, not least the fact that acid residue tended to become trapped in box sections and continue to eat away at a vehicle’s structure long after dipping. These days the process is all but extinct, primarily due to the exceptionally environmentally unfriendly nature of acid baths. Taking its place is a new technique, slowly
B
ack in the less stringently regulated days of Touring Car racing, a common trick to remove
BY LAWRENCE BUTCHER
gaining popularity amongst racecar constructors, which does not remove metal, yet is able to provide savings in terms of both preparation time and vehicle weight. Pioneered by Surface Processing company based in Birmingham, UK, this process ensures the removal of all organic material from a component without damaging the base metal. The majority of the work undertaken is for OEM manufacturers, stripping and re- coating products that fail quality control due to finishing flaws. However, the company has seen
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www.racecar-engineering.com • September 2011
a steady increase in business from both the classic car and racing industries. The benefits for the classic
car market are immediately apparent: if a vehicle body is dipped, all accumulated rust, body filler and paint can be removed quickly and without the damage that can be caused by over-enthusiastic use of abrasive processes such as media blasting. But for racecar constructors, the advantages are more significant.
CORROSION PROTECTION The process consists of multiple stages designed to strip all non-ferrous material away,
leaving the remaining bodywork protected from corrosion. To achieve this, the vehicle is secured to a protective cage prior to being subject to a dehydration process to break down any organic coatings such as underseal, filler, anti-vibration materials and adhesives. The body is then immersed in an alkaline hydrocarbon solution to remove any remaining organic compounds. This penetrates box sections and other inaccessible areas, leaving the structure as bare mild steel, free of contaminants. Following this, the body is rinsed with water to remove the alkaline residue
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