April 10, 1997

MEMO TO: Tom L'Hote

FROM: Bill Hardt

SUBJECT: CAPA Galvanization

Tom, I basically agree with everything that Jack Gillis sets out in his CAPA Update on Galvanization. He does, however, slant the emphasis toward his interest, but in essence everything is accurate.

The only thing I wish to point out is that regardless of the effectiveness of priers versus galvanization, the point is that if an OE [Original Equipment] part is galvanized, and we use an aftermarket part that is primed, there is a difference. We may well say it is like, kind and quality, but the bottom line is that it is not the same.

Another point Jack makes is in regard to some object penetrating the primer on galvanization and exposing the underlying metal to corrosion. I think it is relatively common knowledge that it is much easier to dislodge the primer than it is the galvanization, thus, the protection is not the same in that situation. A good example might be when its necessary for a shop to drill a part. If they drill the galvanizing, the underlying metal is exposed to corrosion just as it would be if there was primer which was drilled through. In that case, the body shop should be spraying a primer coating on the exposed metal to provide the corrosion resistance. In fact, what I am saying is that the collision repair industry uses the primers in reapplying the corrosion resistance when they repair cars, so that it is obviously effective.