I'm talking Really Big Projects.

NASA plans to have astronauts skinny-dipping in Shackleton Crater by 2030. Norway wants to build the first ever commercial ship tunnel, done by 2030.

That's the level I'm talking about.

And also, I'm not talking about cost overruns or resource requirements, or anything like that.

I just mean, really big, really public, engineering projects -- typically chock full of political complications -- get announced in the news, like ...

"NASA to build Super-Duper-Big Telescope on Olympus Mons, for $8B, by 2034"

-- and everyone knows it's actually going to cost 6-16x that amount, and be ready to use in the late-2040s ... assuming it gets built at all.

I want something vaguely formulaic to calculate how much and how long it will actually take NASA to build that telescope.

Back before he became universally hated, it was kind of a meme-level joke that Elon Musk was already living on Mars time, so all of his project-completion estimates had to be multiplied by 1.88 (to convert from Martian back to Earth years). The funny thing, as a rough guideline ... that was actually a pretty reliable formula.

I want something like that formula, but given a bit more thought and research, maybe some optional variables to take into account the project circumstances.

There are plenty of studies (I've been looking) that seek to identify and calculate the causes of large-project delays and cost-overruns, and how to minimize/avoid them. But I'm not trying to rein in the delays and overruns ... I just want to have a way of semi-realistically calculating, right at the start, just exactly how badly people are underestimating the timeline for building their Big Shiny New Thing.

Need to apply lacquer on a mild steel product that is zinc plated and has some vibratory surface polishing on top of it, which wears the zinc down a bit.

Need to pass 500 hours on a British Standard salt spray test (BS EN ISO 9227: 2017)

If anyone has any sources on a good lacquer supplier please let me know. Tried one by LVH coatings but it didn't pass more than 300 hours.

I've been having issues with powdercoating on top of zinc plated mild steel sometimes. Have issues like small dots visible instead of a smooth texture.

It looks like how a zit or pimple looks on the skin.

After zinc plating, it is pre heated for 15 mins at 150 degrees celsius. Then sand it with some 80 no sandpaper. Finally powder coat it and cure it again for 20 mins.

Amy inputs would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

Attached some images below:

https://cubeupload.com/im/Temporalator/Screenshot2024061610.jpg

https://cubeupload.com/im/Temporalator/18bScreenshot2024061610.jpg

Edit:
Hi guys, I posted recently about facing issues with powdercoating zinc plated mild steel. And I'm really thankful for all the responses I got. The zit like small dots I had last time were pretty much solved with outgassing.

I am now facing another issue where the product has sort of tiny indents or pinholes. I can get my nail in them. Shared some photos below. If you guys could shed some light on what these are and why this is happening despite outgassing, it would be great.

Currently outgassing the parts at 250 degrees celsius for 30 mins. The curing temperature after that is 200 degrees celsius for 20 mins.

https://cubeupload.com/im/Temporalator/WhatsAppImage2024062.jpeg

https://cubeupload.com/im/Temporalator/f15WhatsAppImage2024062.jpeg

https://cubeupload.com/im/Temporalator/15eWhatsAppImage2024062.jpeg

https://cubeupload.com/im/Temporalator/9caWhatsAppImage2024062.jpeg

Thanks everyone.

I know there are some Germans on Tildes, figure at least one of y’all might know. How does a typical Autobahn differ from a typical Interstate in design and construction? How often is repair work done and how long does it last? What work would be required to upgrade an Interstate to Autobahn standards?