FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...

Q.	*What exactly is ZINGA?*
A.	It is an organic, single-component zinc coating containing a minimum of 96% pure zinc in its dry state which requires no mixing with other chemicals to make it cure.
Q.	*Is it a paint?*
A.	No, it is a zinc coating which is a form of liquid galvanizing.
Q.	*How is it not a paint if it is a liquid?*
A.	Zinga is an active coating, not just a barrier like a paint. Also Zinga does not behave like a paint e.g. it does not ‘skin over’ in the tin, it does not clog-up spray-gun nozzles, it does not form loose ‘runs’ easily, it does not go ‘blotchy’ in damp conditions, it does not go onto surfaces and remain wet like paint does and it does not go on ‘tacky’ like paint. Zinga also has an unlimited pot life and an unlimited shelf life. Once the lid is put back on the tin it can be stored for use at any point in the future i.e. no waste! One of the best ways of demonstrating that Zinga is not a paint is by using a paintbrush covered in old dry Zinga. Because of Zinga's unique characteristic that it reliquidises when it is overcoated (see How Zinga Works) all that is required to "save" the brush is to stand it in a pot of liquid Zinga. The hard Zinga on the paintbrush reliquidises once in contact with the liquid Zinga and the brush is returned to its original condition. Try doing that with a paint!
Q.	*Does Zinga contain the same solvents as paints?*
A.	The aromatic solvent blend found in Zinga does not contain benzene, xylene, toluene, MEK, methyl-chloride etc. which make up many industrial solvent blends. Zinga is rated as totally non-toxic in its dry state.
Q.	*If it cannot be compared to paint, what can it be compared to?*
A.	Hot-dip galvanizing, although, in a marine environment Zinga consistently out-lasts HDG. There is also no risk of distortion on thin materials or gassing in sealed tubular sections, which normally have to be drilled out before being hot-dipped. Zinganised steelwork has no risk of hydrogen-induced cracking to any welds. It can also be favourably compared with Hot Zinc Spraying. Click here for a competitors comparison sheet. It should also be noted that Zinga is often mistaken for a different form of the popular "touch-up" coating, Galvafroid. Click here for a comparison with this product.
Q.	*How does Zinga work?*
A.	The high concentration of active zinc in Zinga creates a potential difference between the coating and the steel of about -1000mV. Once the steelwork becomes wet, the zinc ions go into dissolution and the current begins to flow from the zinc to the steel, depleting the zinc layer and protecting the steel beneath by preventing the corrosion reaction taking place. This is known as galvanic protection. For further info click here.
Q.	*What if Zinga is scratched through to the bare metal?*
A.	Zinga has a 3-5mm ‘throw’, which means that uncoated metal up to 5mm away from a Zinganized surface will be protected. It will form a layer of surface rust, but there will be no pitting beneath the rust. On small areas like scratches and chips, the surface will often go a light brown-grey colour but underneath no corrosion will take place.
Q.	*Why won’t Zinga allow rust creepage beneath its coating?*
A.	It is because every square millimeter that has been coated has a charge flowing continually between the zinc and the steel, so there is no chance for any corrosion reaction to begin underneath a Zinga layer. The high potential difference between the two metals ensures that there is always a strong flow of electrons.
Q.	*Is Zinga certified for use with potable water?*
A.	Yes. Zinga is certified to BS6920 (2000). Please visit the UK Reports page for further information.
Q.	*Is Zinga* *able to be used* *in areas where food is stored or handled?*
A.	Yes. The purity of the zinc in Zinga is 99.995%, which is medicinal quality. The binder is completely non-toxic, and completely safe.
Q.	*Is Zinga fireproof?*
A.	Yes. Zinga is certified to BS476 parts 6&7. This means that a dry Zinga coating will neither propagate a fire nor cause one to spread, hence its use in the London Underground for many years, its increasing use on offshore oil platforms and its approval by the British Navy. Please visit the UK Reports page for further information.
Q.	*How does the lifespan of Zinga compare to hot-dip galvanizing?*
A.	After comparative usage on marine projects, Zinga out-lasts hot-dip galvanizing by approximately 10% in marine conditions. In normal atmospheric conditions the two coatings are very similar in lifespan.
Q.	*If Zinga is a liquid coating, it surely cannot compare to the mechanical properties of hot-dip galvanizing?*
A.	Zinga has been used to galvanize chains and bolts for marine use. Because each particle of zinc is protected by the organic binder it is able to resist abrasion. Zinga is also extremely flexible and will withstand tremendous distortion.
Q.	*What other testing has been done on Zinga?*
A.	BNF (Fulmer laboratories) have done extensive atmospheric testing to compare Zinga with hot-dip and thermal-spray zinc. Also DNV in Norway have approved Zinga for use in the seawater ballast tanks of ships - one of the harshest environments possible. Please see the Reports section for details on these and all the other tests.
Q.	*And NORSOK*?
A.	Zinga achieved NORSOK M-501 approval in April 2007 for use in the offshore Oil and Gas industry. This is commonly regarded as one of the toughest tests for coating systems and Zinga passed with the maximum score possible. Click here to read a copy of the report.
Q.	*What about military?*
A.	Zinga has been given the following certification: (USA) MIL-P-26915A and also (NATO) 8030-13-113-7027. It has been used in Europe (Kosovo, Croatia etc) and also on the I-110 bridge over the Mississippi river in USA. Zinga was tested and approved by both the Senate and the Military because of the bridge’s significance as a major supply route. As previously mentioned Zinga has also been approved by the British MoD.
Q.	*Can you weld Zingani*sed steelwork?
A.	Yes. Zinganised steel can be MIG or arc welded to x-ray standard, with no porosity in the welds. Although obviously not quite as easy as welding un-coated steel, once the arc has formed the approaching weld bead is at a sufficiently high temperature to cause the binder to evaporate and the remaining zinc dust is removed from the zone by convection. Using a wire brush to remove the surface zinc oxides to reveal the zinc beneath before welding considerably improves the process.
Q.	*Must the Zinga be applied at 20mm, the same as pre-weld primers*
A.	No. Steel can be coated with up to 60 microns of Zinga before welding.
Q.	*What about paint top-coats?*
A.	Zinga can be coated with compatible epoxies, polyurethanes, chlorinated rubbers, vinyls and water-based coatings. Not everyone likes a grey colour! Please check the "Applying Zinga" page or contact the technical division for details.
Q.	*What surface preparation is required before applying Zinga?*
A.	Surface preparation is vital. Decontamination followed by a grit-blast to Sa 2.5, with a blast-profile of Rz 50-80mm and a roughness of Ra 12.5-15mm is the standard requirement. Please contact Zinga UK to ensure the right surface preparation is achieved for any particular application.
Q.	*After using inorganic zinc-silicates for many years, what is the benefit from using Zinga instead?*
A.	Firstly, zinc silicates are two-component products. Zinga is a single-component. Secondly, zinc-silicates require an SA 3 standard of cleanliness, while Zinga will work on an SA 2.5 very comfortably. Thirdly, the surface has to be absolutely dry before applying a zinc-silicate, or it cures at the interface before it cures throughout the coating. Zinga goes onto slurry-blasted surfaces soon after the blasting has stopped and the surface has been air dried whilst the surface is still mildly damp. Lastly, but most importantly, Zinga is an active coating providing the same galvanic voltage as Hot Dip Galvanising.
Q.	*What is the maximum life of a Zinganized surface?*
A.	This is obviously very dependent on the environment and is best calculated using a zinc loss chart.
Q.	*What other tangible difference is there between Zinga and paint?*
A.	Zinga is an ‘active’ system which ‘works’ with the metal underneath. Paints are only passive barriers. Regardless of how thick they are applied, they remain as barriers. Once they are breached, corrosion sets in immediately. Please see the How Zinga Works section to understand more about the differences.
Q.	*Is Zinga sensitive to surface-salt contamination like paint?*
A.	Yes, to a degree, it’s sensitivity is comparable with other organic zinc coatings. When being immersed the substrate must be totally contaminant free, including salt.
Q.	*How does Zinga react to salt once it has cured?*
A.	All Zinganised steelwork must be saturated with fresh water for at least two hours before being exposed to a saline environment. This allows the Zinga to oxidise and seal its natural porosity. If it is left in the rain overnight it will be totally sealed. Please see the Water Saturation Procedure for more detail. Tests like NORSOK show that Zinga works extremely well in saline environments.
Q.	*Is Zinga safe to use over water?*
A.	If the solvent or liquid Zinga is dropped into the water it could harm the fish and aquatic life. Once dry the Zinganised steelwork will do no harm at all if submerged.
Q.	*But isn’t Zinga useful as an anti-fouling coating?*
A.	Yes, again to a degree, but it does not leech out poisons or manufacture toxic chemicals like some other marine coatings. Zinga can behave as a mild anti-foulant because marine organisms nether like the current that naturally flows through the Zinga layer nor the taste of Zinc. In situations where anti-fouling is vital though we would suggest the use of a compatible marine topcoat.
Q.	*What is the service ceiling for operating temperatures?*
A.	Normally 150 - 160°C with peaks of 180°C, with its lowest working temperature at -40°C.
Q.	*Can Zinga be measured for wet and dry film thickness?*
A.	Zinga is difficult to measure wet because it flattens off so quickly but it can be done. After it has fully dried it can be measured with a standard measuring instrument i.e. Elcometer 345.
Q.	*If Zinga is so good, why haven't I heard about it before?*
A.	Although Zinga has been used globally for nearly thirty years, it has never been actively marketed in the UK. Since 2001, however, Zinga UK has been increasing the profile of Zinga through its network of distributors.
Q.	Great, I'm really interested. What do I do now?
A.	Contact your nearest Distributor or Zinga UK directly and we can arrange a presentation, demonstration or delivery of product. We can also put you in touch with your nearest Approved Applicator if you do not have the required equipment to do the application yourself.

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