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What is the best rust preventative paint for a frame .........or any ferrous metal application for that matter? I've heard a lot about POR 15. Any thoughts on this or any other coatings?
what is the best rust preventative paint for a frame .........or any ferrous metal application for that matter? I've heard a lot about por 15. Any thoughts on this or any other coatings?
I saw this thread and felt so strongly I decided to quit lurking and register.
I used POR 15 on a restoration project last year and:
a.) Will never use it again.
b.) Will not recommend it to anyone.
I confess I'm a very "picky" guy, but.
First off, the stuff takes a long time to dry and in the interim almost anything will stick to it.
Regular POR 15 has no UV protection so you must then re-coat it with POR's Chassis Coat product. Two coats of each are recommended.
I tried brushing it (which was recommended) and spraying it. I was not pleased with either result.
It takes quite a while to put on four coats, and if you let it dry before applying the next coat, you must scuff it.
I realize on Internet forums there's a great deal of information. Some folks really know what they're talking about and others are clueless. As this is my first post, my opinion is suspect and I understand that.
However, IMHO if you care about your project you should use another product.
I have used POR-15 before. I have mixed feelings on it. If I can easily get to the area I am going to paint (such as a frame), I use something else. I only use POR-15 in an area where I don't have easy access and I am concerned about future corrosion such as inside the bottom of a door or quarter panel on a steel car. Once you open up a can of it, use as much as you can. When you close it up, the lid will weld itself to the can. They say to use saran wrap between the lid and can to keep that from happening, but it doesn't work very well. Usually air leaks in and the paint cures in the can over time.
For all the reasons above and more, I don't like POR15. I used a good self etching primer then painted it with a good commerical grade catalyzed paint. And if you scratch it it's an easy fix.
I used POR15 on the last frame for my son, thinnned it and brushed it on and it flowed out very well. In 70 degrees shop temp, four hours later it was past the tacky stage and ready for the top coat. We applied their chassis black and it turned out very well. The stuff is tough as nails and relatively easy to use if you are not set up for spraying.
However on other frames and parts I usually use epoxy primer followed by a flattened top coat. SPI black epoxy works great, but it too needs a top coat for UV protection.
If you are on a budget, Rustoleum Industrial paint doesn't work too bad, brush it on and it flows great, but it takes a long time to dry.
Last edited by Scott Marzahl; Feb 14, 2009 at 12:43 PM.
Thanks for all the info guys. I also have a need for some serious rust protection in a water tank that will hold water for several weeks before being drained for cleaned. Sounds like POR 15 may not be the way to go for this. Any other suggestions for this rather unique application?
there are specific epoxy paints for underwater applications. If your use is a water tank and therefore the paint will be submerged I would look into one of those specialized paints.
google "paint for underwater applications" and you will get a number of results.
BIG difference between the use and application you are asking about and a car frame that gets some water splashed up on it if it rains or it gets driven over a puddle.
BIG difference between the use and application you are asking about and a car frame that gets some water splashed up on it if it rains or it gets driven over a puddle.