Vehicles are typically exposed to a wide range of externalities that can damage and deteriorate them. It is the responsibility of the owner to protect the vehicle from environmental factors such as the weather. One of the biggest enemies of cars is corrosion. In this blog post, we'll look at one possible way of protection, and that is applying cavity vax. What is cavity vax and why is it a good choice? Here are the details!

Why protect against corrosion?

Car manufacturers are striving to offer their customers safer and more comfortable vehicles. They aim to make vehicles last longer, so they protect the body against corrosion in several steps during production.

The body panels are more vulnerable to corrosion because a large proportion of them are made of steel. However, the original corrosion protection can be damaged over time, and it is also possible that elements that have not been properly protected are installed during repairs. In such cases, it is important to restore the original chassis and cavity protection.

What is cavity protection?

Cavity protection is nothing more than guarding the car from corrosion and rust. These are typically the result of environmental influences (e.g. rain, snow, salt) and can cause significant damage to the car’s body. Rust "eats" the material, which over time cracks and holes appear, allowing dirt, water, and air to enter and cause even more damage.

However, by using cavity protection sprays and materials, small gaps, holes, cavities in components, and welded seams can be filled with a specially formulated material that prevents the deterioration process from starting on metal components. Regular use can significantly increase the lifetime of the car, preserve its condition and, as a result, its value does not decrease so rapidly.

Types of cavity protection materials

There are two main types: primers are applied before the paint is applied, but there are also liquids and coatings that are applied to the painted surface. Primers adhere to the surface to prevent oxidation. They are typically colourless or black and can be purchased in the form of cavity vaxes.

There are also cavity protection liquids and powders, the former applied to internal components by brush or spray gun and the latter by paint nozzles. Here's how cavity protection works!

Use of the Cavity Vax

The cavity protection process consists of the following steps: preparation, cleaning, surface treatment, and application of the cavity protection material. The first step in preparation is to cover the surfaces where you do not want the material to get on. This will protect the surfaces from contamination. The full body of the car should then be cleaned. Cleaning and washing is a meticulous process of removing dirt and rust and preparing the surface. For example, if you have a new part in the car, you don't have to remove the rust, but you still have to give it a thorough cleaning.

The surface must be prepared before the cavity vax is applied. This can be done using an anti-corrosion primer, which forms a chemical layer on the applied surface and helps prevent rust. Once this has been done, it is time to apply the cavity protector and apply the material. It is advisable to use a brush or a cavity protection spray, which can be used quickly and effectively. The drying time of the cavity vax depends on the type used, but it is usually best to allow 24 hours for complete drying. There are several ways of application, depending on the formulation and the surface to which the material is applied. For example, some applicators can be used to treat hard-to-reach areas.

What are the benefits of cavity vaxes?

Cavity protection is a method of preventing corrosion. Let's look at the benefits and why you should not skip this step!

Chassis protection, corrosion protection, and cavity protection can help to preserve the condition of your vehicle. Treatments can significantly increase the lifetime of your car. They protect against the damaging effects that promote rust and the spread of rust. Because the condition of the car can be preserved, repair costs and depreciation can be reduced. Not to mention the fact that a corroded surface is not very aesthetically pleasing, but if you protect against it, you can keep your bodywork looking good for a long time.

The adequacy of cavity protection should be checked regularly and, if necessary, maintenance should be carried out. Visual inspection from time to time will help to spot any damage and corroded areas in time. The best time to check the cavity protection is during the car's normal maintenance period when the car is in the workshop. During the visual inspection, the chassis should be inspected, as well as the doors, fenders, bumpers, and window frames. It is worth paying particular attention to corrosion and possible damage.

If any damage is noticed during the inspection, it should be rectified immediately, as these usually lead to corroded areas and cracks which can lead to further corrosion damage. It is advisable to seek professional help if repairs are required. He or she will replace, repair, and clean the damaged parts and also ensure proper cavity protection.

Looking for automotive supplies? Have a look around Flanker's webshop and choose from our range of products!

Epoxy resin is a synthetic plastic that starts in a liquid state and solidifies when its components encounter each other, initiating a process called cross-linking. The material possesses similar properties to natural plant resins but differs significantly in their chemical characteristics. It has a wide range of applications, primarily in the industrial sector. What is epoxy resin and what are its beneficial properties? We have discussed them in this article.

What material is epoxy resin?

Epoxy resin is an artificially produced material consisting of organic giant molecules. Before use, it is a liquid plastic, but it transforms into a solid state under specific environmental conditions. The base material can be epoxy, polyester, polyurethane, phenol, or urea. 

There are fundamentally two types: one-component and two-component variations. The former is made up of a single type of plastic, meaning it does not require an additional component for the cross-linking process. The material hardens either through a physical effect or through exposure to oxygen. The two-component epoxy resin consists of a base component and a cross-linking agent. The latter triggers the chemical reaction that solidifies the material. Therefore, if the two components are not mixed, cross-linking will not occur.

When selecting the appropriate epoxy resin, factors such as viscosity, adhesion and bonding ability, heat resistance, UV resistance, chemical resistance, adhesion time, and shrinkage should be considered.

Now that we have learned what epoxy resin is, let's explore its advantageous and disadvantageous properties!

Advantages of epoxy resin

Epoxy resin possesses numerous advantageous properties that make it a popular material. Let's discuss the most important ones!

Durability and resiliency

One of the greatest advantages of epoxy resin is its exceptional durability, flexibility, impact resistance, and resilience. It does not break or chip easily and can withstand external physical impacts. Epoxy resin is so strong that it maintains its quality over many years of use.

Chemical resistance

There are special types of epoxy resin that are completely resistant to powerful cleaning agents, chemicals, acids, and alkalis. Examples include epoxy resin and vinyl ester materials. It is important to note that the quality of the application significantly influences this property.

Water resistance

When exposed to moisture, a material must resist water. Epoxy resin does not encounter any problems with moisture, as it does not cause any damage to its structure. This means that epoxy resin can be used to create waterproof coatings and outdoor applications.

UV resistance

Sunlight and UV radiation can easily damage materials, weaken their structure, and fade their colour. However, this is not the case with epoxy resin. It is UV-resistant, maintaining its quality even under intense sunlight.

Versatile application

Epoxy resin is an incredibly versatile material due to its strong adhesion to surfaces. It works well as a flooring material, protective coating, for creating various decorative objects, and tables, and even as an adhesive.

Disadvantages of epoxy resin

In addition to its advantages, epoxy resin has a few disadvantages worth considering. Firstly, it is not the most affordable solution, and if not handled by the right professional, the result may fall short of expectations. Various tools and dispensers aid in the application of epoxy resin.

Despite its resistance to many effects, scratches are its enemy. Epoxy resin can be easily scratched, which compromises its aesthetic appearance. The phenomenon of volumetric shrinkage must also be considered when using epoxy resin. Various types of contamination become visible on its surface, so frequent cleaning is necessary to avoid a spotty floor.

Installing epoxy resin

One of the most common applications of epoxy resin is in the production of flooring. It is particularly popular in industrial environments due to its advantageous properties, such as its ability to withstand heavy wear and resistance to external influences.

Creating epoxy resin flooring requires the appropriate expertise, so it is essential to entrust the job to a professional. The process of resin coating is complex and involves several steps. First, the surface is sanded and roughened using sandblasting. It is then cleaned, and any potential flaws are repaired. These steps are necessary to ensure proper adhesion of the resin and the primer to the surface. Once the groundwork is prepared, the pouring process can begin, which can be challenging to execute well, neatly, and evenly.

Epoxy resin is primarily used in artistic and craft activities for modeling and casting objects of various shapes. It can also be used to create molds, allowing the production of multiple shapes repeatedly. Beautiful jewellery and decorative objects can be made from this material.

In commercial and household applications, epoxy resin is used to make food storage containers, bags, and candy molds, as well as equipment and furniture. Epoxy resin also finds its place in cosmetic products, such as hair styling products, where it can transform hair styling into a form of sculpting.

Flanker is a supplier for industrial players. Look at our web catalogue and explore our product range!

The main purpose of screws is to hold together and bond the mating surfaces. However, over time, the threads of the screws can loosen, and wear out due to weight and force. By using thread-locking adhesives, we can prevent the loosening of the screw joints. This material contributes to ensuring that the screw does not come off due to vibration or impact. Let's see what you need to know about threadlockers!

What is a threadlocker?

A threadlocker is a liquid substance that fills the gaps in the screw threads, ensuring that the screw cannot loosen due to movement, vibration, or wear and that the bond remains intact. The application of this one-component adhesive is simple, without creating mess or contamination, and its effect is long-lasting. Due to these properties, it is widely used in various industries.

The bonding time for the adhesive ranges from 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the characteristics of the surfaces, but it may take 12 to 24 hours to reach full strength.

What are the advantages of threadlockers?

Threadlockers have numerous advantages that make their use worthwhile. Here are the most important ones:

• Applicable to any thread: It doesn't matter what type of thread it is; the adhesive spreads in the thread, fills it, and creates a secure bond and seal. This is a great convenience for professionals as they don't need to deal with specialized seals, and the same solution can be applied in every situation. The versatility also leads to lower inventory costs.
• Prevents corrosion: By permanently securing the connection, the adhesive prevents corrosion from damaging the metal.
• Bonds to all surfaces: Threadlockers can bond to any surface, even passive surfaces such as aluminum, coated surfaces, or stainless steel.
• Can be used on slightly contaminated surfaces: The adhesive can create a proper bond without the need for a perfectly clean surface. If there is mild contamination on the material, the adhesive can still exert its effect and create a secure bond.
• Creates a vibration-resistant bond: Some elements are subject to significant vibration. In these cases, screws can easily loosen if they are not secured with adhesive in the thread. Typical examples are screws in pumps, presses, and gearboxes.
• Can be assembled with hand tools: Despite creating a strong bond, the components can be easily disassembled using the appropriate hand tools.
• Clean application: The adhesive is typically equipped with a suitable-sized dispenser, making it easy to use anywhere, anytime. Its use does not involve excessive mess or dirt; only a few drops are needed to reinforce the screw joint.

Applications of threadlockers

Adhesives of this type can be used in various industries wherever screw reinforcement is needed. Typical examples include automotive manufacturing where resonance caused by the engine or engine block can loosen screws holding the vehicle's components, such as those in the suspension system. The adhesive prevents the screws securing vehicle parts from loosening, preventing them from falling off and causing damage to other parts of the car. Noisy and moving components can cause wear, exposing the car to unexpected malfunctions.

Threadlockers from Flanker

For over two decades, Flanker has been providing comprehensive solutions for industrial players. Our product range includes structural adhesives, including threadlockers and screw-locking adhesives such as 3MTM Scotch-WeldTM TL70 Threadlocker, which is a one-component, high-strength adhesive that ensures a durable bond. A classic threadlocker is the medium-strength 3MTM Scotch-WeldTM TL42, which allows fasteners to withstand vibrations, impacts, and corrosion. Another variation is the 3MTM Scotch-WeldTM TL62, which provides rapid curing. Take a look at the Flanker website!

Films are practical solutions when you want to give a new look to a surface or protect it from external influences. Many different types of surfaces can be covered with films, from graphic films that are a great design element, to car films, glass films, and even plastic films. The film is an excellent and quick solution, but sometimes you want to get rid of it. Why would anyone want to remove a film? How is it done on the car or a glass surface? We have investigated this issue.

People might put a film on their car, window glass, or other surfaces for many reasons. Most often, this layer serves an aesthetic function, but in some cases, it also protects against minor damage and dirt. In the case of window film, for example, the film is very often applied to protect the view. In addition to the practical reasons, it is worth mentioning that graphic films are an excellent marketing tool and a popular choice for companies. Everyone has seen cars decorated with a company logo or a shop window or glass surface made more attractive.

However, over time, films can become damaged or tired, so there is no choice but to remove them. 

What are the reasons for film removal?

In most cases, removing the film is necessary because of minor damages on the surface or because the chosen colour is out-of-date. 

Films are typically subject to harsh external influences, sunlight, intense heat, UV, excessively low temperatures, scratching, and other mechanical damage, all of which can deteriorate their general condition. Worn, scratched, or bubbled films are not a pretty sight.

Removal can also be triggered if it becomes apparent over time that the film, such as car film, does not meet legal requirements and should be disposed of as soon as possible. And yes, it may also happen that the film must be removed because something was wrong with the application.

Let's see how to remove the film from your car, glass, or plastic window!

Removing films from cars

There are two ways to remove film applied on the car, one of which is to ask a professional for help, and the other is to do it yourself. For those who choose the latter option, the following steps should be followed with care:

• Firstly, find a point where you can open or break the film. It is advisable to use a tool that can reach under the film without damaging the surface, such as a very sharp and thin blade. If we are lucky, we can pull it off in large chunks. If it doesn't give way so easily, you can use a hair dryer or a heat gun to help melt the glue. If the film burns into it, it's much harder to remove, so it's better to seek the help of a professional rather than use homemade methods.
• The next step is to remove the adhesive. For this, the use of special solvents or heating solutions is advised.
• Finally, clean the surface and make sure that all the adhesive and film residues are gone.

When cleaning, it is advisable to use materials and solvents specifically designed for this purpose. For example, the 3M Film Removal System is a good choice for removing graphic films, and the 3M Scotchcal Film Remover is the best choice for removing vinyl from acrylic enamel surfaces.

Film removal from window glass

Remove film from window glass following the same steps. Start by picking it up at the corner with the use of a sharp and thin tool, with special attention to avoiding damaging the surface. Once the film is off, remove the adhesive residue as described above and finally wipe the glass clean.

Removing film from plastic windows

A common question is how to remove the film from a plastic window. The purpose of the film on a plastic window is to protect the surface from external influences during transport and installation. Scrapers, erasers, heat, alcohol, and special solvents can be used to remove the film.

Expertise. Quality, Flexibility.

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