What corrosion protection do Porsche use?
Discussion
I read somewhere that after a certain date, all Porsches used galvanized body shells, Does this still apply to new models (if at all) Does anyone who owns a Porsche of any kind, have any info on how good / bad they are in respect of long term body durability?
Any info would be welcome, as its seems Porsche`s own website does not cover this aspect of their vehicle manufacturing process.
Any info would be welcome, as its seems Porsche`s own website does not cover this aspect of their vehicle manufacturing process.
Put other way, I have read stories of horrendous corrosion breaking out on relatively new Porsches, and wondered why (cars costing as much a Porsches do) this is the case.
Since Porsche don't seem to want to publish any details of their methods of corrosion proofing, (unlike other manufacturers who have comprehensive descriptions of `their' processes) can this be a sign that they don't want anyone to know what `they' do do (or don`t) in this respect
Since Porsche don't seem to want to publish any details of their methods of corrosion proofing, (unlike other manufacturers who have comprehensive descriptions of `their' processes) can this be a sign that they don't want anyone to know what `they' do do (or don`t) in this respect
I understand that Porsche were the first company to routinely galvanise their bodies, back in about 1978. They offer an impressive corrosion warranty, provided it is fully OPC certified throughout. They do not rust, in general - speaking specifically about water cooled 911s and thereafter. 993s suffer certain bits of corrosion. They are obviously older but have weak points - windscreen corners, kidney bowls etc. 996s and after can suffer corrosion under the front wheel arch on the door pillar as stones hit there. I have owned the earliest 996s until today and have not had an issue of the slightest significance.
Just a note to say thank you for your replies.
It seems that other manufacturers often go to great lengths to describe the corrosion protection they apply to their cars, whereas I was not able to find anything much regarding Porsches construction techniques and corrosion proofing, used for their vehicles on their website. But this could just be me looking in the wrong place.
Given the general quality of their vehicles I thought they would be only too keen to show
how well their vehicles were built and corrosion proofed.
I did find a Canadian article on how Porsches were able to shrug off the worst that a Canadian winter could throw at them, but again it was a little short on details.
Some cars despite being well built, are not particularly durable. My Caterham would be a case in point
As a marque, they do seem to last very well, but I put this down more to the way they are generally used, than to how they are built. I have seen relatively new Caterhams, which looked great from above
but absolutely rotten from underneath where large chunks of the powder coating had been rusted off the chassis tubes.
It seems that generally this is not an issue with Porsches so I guess my question has broadly been answered. for which I again say thank you.
It seems that other manufacturers often go to great lengths to describe the corrosion protection they apply to their cars, whereas I was not able to find anything much regarding Porsches construction techniques and corrosion proofing, used for their vehicles on their website. But this could just be me looking in the wrong place.
Given the general quality of their vehicles I thought they would be only too keen to show
how well their vehicles were built and corrosion proofed.
I did find a Canadian article on how Porsches were able to shrug off the worst that a Canadian winter could throw at them, but again it was a little short on details.
Some cars despite being well built, are not particularly durable. My Caterham would be a case in point
As a marque, they do seem to last very well, but I put this down more to the way they are generally used, than to how they are built. I have seen relatively new Caterhams, which looked great from above
but absolutely rotten from underneath where large chunks of the powder coating had been rusted off the chassis tubes.
It seems that generally this is not an issue with Porsches so I guess my question has broadly been answered. for which I again say thank you.
There was a How It's Made program about the 911 showing the anti-corrosion measures they take during production. The whole program is pretty interesting if you're into Porsches or thinking of buying one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgbvpiOMqvs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgbvpiOMqvs
Pan Pan Pan said:
I read somewhere that after a certain date, all Porsches used galvanized body shells, Does this still apply to new models (if at all) Does anyone who owns a Porsche of any kind, have any info on how good / bad they are in respect of long term body durability?
Any info would be welcome, as its seems Porsche`s own website does not cover this aspect of their vehicle manufacturing process.
Corrosion protection is pretty good with these cars. My 2002 Boxster driven in all kinds of weather, mostly parked outside too, shows no signs of any corrosion.Any info would be welcome, as its seems Porsche`s own website does not cover this aspect of their vehicle manufacturing process.
Couple of things. One is the body sheet metal is zinc coated. Also, the underside of the car is painted with a very durable paint that has some plastic aspect to it that is very resistant to damage from rocks. Additionally quite a bit of the underside of the car - including the wheel wells -- is protected by plastic panels to further prevent damage to the body in these ares and to prevent corrosion a chance to gain a foothold.
I do not know if the car is dipped in hot wax like my VW. (After I bought it the driver's side door "bled" wax at the bottom on hot days for some time after I bought it.) The wax fills voids and prevents water from collecting and also acts to dampen noise.
One thing owners tend to consider is how important it is to protect the body lift points from damage when lifting the car. At the dealer the service bay lifts all have thick rubber pads that protect the lift points from being damaged, the paint being damaged. If this paint gets damaged this lets water in and corrosion around these critical areas can gain a foothold.
The only corrosion problem some MYs have had -- this early no with the 996 and Boxster models -- was around the door latch. This would move about from the forces of closing the door and could damage the paint underneath and corrosion could set in. The fix was to fit a new latch with a more substantial pad between the plate and the sheet metal, after of course addressing any corrosion that had already occurred.
majordad said:
I think the body is e coated nowadays ?
Would this be applied over the (sheet steel part) of the body after it has been galvanized, If I understand it correctly E coating is just an electrical deposition system for applying paint to the bodyshell, but not strictly speaking an anti corrosion system, which galvanization would be?Again thanks to all for your replies, it would seem that Porsche cars are well protected against the effects of corrosion.
Whilst the consensus appears to be that the bodywork is very well protected...... And the 996s and 997s I have had appear to have been well protected in this respect, the same cannot be said for the engine and ancillary components that appear to have studs, nuts and bolts made of cheese. Relatively low cost components but the corrosion of these has caused me some issues when jobs such as spark plug changes etc have been required....
928s were double dip hot galvanised. My racer was on 260,000 miles when it was converted. Not a single spot of rust anywhere on the body. The GTS 5-spd that I have now is on 135k miles - no rust either. My 996.1 GT3 CS is also totally rust free despite having almost no underseal as per factory spec
When I worked in the steel industry many moons ago we used to alloy the surface of the strip with the zinc with a wrap around furnace where the strip exited the zinc pot so it was a step on from hot dipped galvanised steel for Porsche. We had a massive shelf full of QA manuals for this process. No corners were cut as we had to run the galvanising line at low speed to produce this steel at huge expense. The only corrosion I have seen on my Porkers have been either the aluminium doors(928) and on the bottom of the doors of a 944 where someone had done a previous repair and sanded through this barrier....
Basically there is two different forms of corrosion protection, either competitive corrosion where you use a more reactive metal(zinc) or isolation of the steel. They use both including an e primer and in vunrable areas a plastic based coating and then paint.
Other car manufactures have problems where the steel reacts with the aluminium body panels, AFAIK Porsche does not have this problem.
Basically there is two different forms of corrosion protection, either competitive corrosion where you use a more reactive metal(zinc) or isolation of the steel. They use both including an e primer and in vunrable areas a plastic based coating and then paint.
Other car manufactures have problems where the steel reacts with the aluminium body panels, AFAIK Porsche does not have this problem.
Edited by Huskyman on Tuesday 15th December 01:27
It's always interesting to read how people applaud the corrosion protection of each newer Porsche, until it starts the inevitable process of corroding. Whilst Porsches have among the best-protected bodyshells, they are still just metal and will corrode eventually in the real world.
Buyer's guides for the 944 used to say, and many adverts still spout the complete lie, that the shell is "fully-galvanised so never rusts". Plainly this was the case for 15-plus years, and garage queens may last for many decades without rust getting hold, but the everyday cars all now suffer corrosion to sills, suspension mounts, wing and wheelarch edges, boot and spare wheel wells, a-pillars, the awkward to reach double-skinned panel the rear Porsche decal fits on, to name a few.
I'm sure any owner here could list a similar number of areas where a 993 suffers corrosion: some serious, some cosmetic. Some caused by damage, such as stonechips, others by poor design causing dirt or moisture to be trapped.
Even galvanised steel will eventually rot where moisture is constantly present (the inner 944 sill), mud and dirt are trapped (the sill trim on a 944 S2 or Turbo is great for this), or the galvanising is compromised (stone chips or other physical damage.
Maybe Boxsters or 996s aren't showing signs of problems yet, but that's not reason not to clean, inspect and treat them regularly.
Buyer's guides for the 944 used to say, and many adverts still spout the complete lie, that the shell is "fully-galvanised so never rusts". Plainly this was the case for 15-plus years, and garage queens may last for many decades without rust getting hold, but the everyday cars all now suffer corrosion to sills, suspension mounts, wing and wheelarch edges, boot and spare wheel wells, a-pillars, the awkward to reach double-skinned panel the rear Porsche decal fits on, to name a few.
I'm sure any owner here could list a similar number of areas where a 993 suffers corrosion: some serious, some cosmetic. Some caused by damage, such as stonechips, others by poor design causing dirt or moisture to be trapped.
Even galvanised steel will eventually rot where moisture is constantly present (the inner 944 sill), mud and dirt are trapped (the sill trim on a 944 S2 or Turbo is great for this), or the galvanising is compromised (stone chips or other physical damage.
Maybe Boxsters or 996s aren't showing signs of problems yet, but that's not reason not to clean, inspect and treat them regularly.
My 944 was galvanised.
My 996 definitely is not, there is rust in places, nothing serious but given enough time and neglect, it would be.
Porsche builds cars to the same durability standards as any other vehicle manufacturer nowadays, i.e. it'll be fine for 5 years but after that you're on your own, baby. They realised quite some time ago that they only need to make sure that the first owner is satisfied, any efforts expended beyond result in only a reduction in revenue. Much better to spend the money on promotion.
My 996 definitely is not, there is rust in places, nothing serious but given enough time and neglect, it would be.
Porsche builds cars to the same durability standards as any other vehicle manufacturer nowadays, i.e. it'll be fine for 5 years but after that you're on your own, baby. They realised quite some time ago that they only need to make sure that the first owner is satisfied, any efforts expended beyond result in only a reduction in revenue. Much better to spend the money on promotion.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I totally agree, Moose. Whenever people moan about their 944 rusting, and mine is, I ask what '80s car rusts less! That is different from not rusting, though, and the danger is corrosion gets a hold because it's hidden.All that plastic trim on new cars worries me, as you don't see the inner issues until it's too late. It also traps salt and grit: not great on a car that's used all year round.
Those late '80s/ early '90s Mercs were really scary. I saw E-classes with really bad wheel arches quite young, so long-term that's not a good long-term prospect!
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