How hard to remove POR15?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,386
Likes: 2
From: San Angelo TX
How hard to remove POR15?
I'm sure someone is going to ask "why would you ever want to remove POR15 if done right?" but the reason I'm interested in how hard it is to remove is because I'd like to treat some areas of my frame in the near future to prevent any further rust but would be performing a full frame off restoration later down the road (much later) and would like to be able to strip/repair/reseal the frame properly at that time.
So is this stuff impossible to remove or does media blasting take care of it?
So is this stuff impossible to remove or does media blasting take care of it?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 541
Likes: 1
From: Freeport FL
Not having personal experience with POR, but from what I have read:
I would not do this. From what I have read, if you even slop POR on the lip of the can and put the lid back on, you'll never get it back off again. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to remove after properly applied to a surface. If you are only going for a temp solution, I would get an epoxy primer and a good topcoat for this temporary solution. Cost you about $100 for a quart of each, which goes quite far after you thin it to spray.
I also have stayed away from POR because of its UV sensitivity and need of an additional topcoat over it, but to each his own on that one I guess. I am sure that you will get a lot of good reports on it.
I would not do this. From what I have read, if you even slop POR on the lip of the can and put the lid back on, you'll never get it back off again. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to remove after properly applied to a surface. If you are only going for a temp solution, I would get an epoxy primer and a good topcoat for this temporary solution. Cost you about $100 for a quart of each, which goes quite far after you thin it to spray.
I also have stayed away from POR because of its UV sensitivity and need of an additional topcoat over it, but to each his own on that one I guess. I am sure that you will get a lot of good reports on it.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,646
Likes: 189
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
You can get the lid off, takes about 1/2 hour though and the can is trash 
I would not like to try and remove that stuff, probably near impossible but someone has probably done it
I would not like to try and remove that stuff, probably near impossible but someone has probably done it
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Motorhead 
Youll have to sandblast it off, its tough stuff. I tried doing a differential (brushed it on) while it was on the car many years ago trying to avoid a frame off. Long story short the body came off, the rearend...I took it to a sandblasting place. They tried to charge me extra and accused me of lying about it being painted and not powdercoated
Good stuff.
Youll have to sandblast it off, its tough stuff. I tried doing a differential (brushed it on) while it was on the car many years ago trying to avoid a frame off. Long story short the body came off, the rearend...I took it to a sandblasting place. They tried to charge me extra and accused me of lying about it being painted and not powdercoated
Good stuff.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,364
Likes: 303
From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
Last winter, I decided to powder coat a couple parts that I had applied POR15 on. Impossible in my blasting cabinet with medium grit aggregate! I ended up using a aircraft paint remover then using the blasting cabinet for final cleaning.
Man, that stuff if TOUGH!
Man, that stuff if TOUGH!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 48
From: westland mi
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,108
Likes: 4,170
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Ice,
I believe there are many products that will give you enough protection until you're ready to 'restore', but will easier to remove at that time.
Wasn't POR-15 developed for severely rusted metal that couldn't be properly cleaned? Do you need something that serious?
Happy New Year!
Regards,
Alan
I believe there are many products that will give you enough protection until you're ready to 'restore', but will easier to remove at that time.
Wasn't POR-15 developed for severely rusted metal that couldn't be properly cleaned? Do you need something that serious?
Happy New Year!
Regards,
Alan
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
One of my customers was told by a company rep. for por-15 that the stuff was designed to bond only on rust not sand blasted metal. I don't know if anyone tried it on anything but rusted metal, but he said on anything else, it would eventually peel. Personally, I don't like the stuff. I believe the only way to do it right is to sandblast the metal and powdercoat or epoxy prime and paint.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Johnson City TN
I'm having POR15 regret, but now what?
Yeah, I bought into the who POR15 deal big time when I first started my project. Blasted frame, coated with POR15 and a couple of top coats. Now I am having buyer's remorse. Talking about kicking myself in the butt. I figure it will likely wait until I have the body back on her and ready to drive before it starts peeling. Until that time, I'm hosed.
Ironically, I just found out from a local PC guy that he would have done the the frame (62 vette) job for around $500.00. Another guy quoted $1500 and it was that price that convinced me to go with the POR15.
I would love a do-over on this one. Oh, the local PC guy says he can remove POR15 using plastic bead. Hard to believe, but he says he has done it for others who have taken the wrong path. No cheap at $125.00/hr, but it can be done.
Ironically, I just found out from a local PC guy that he would have done the the frame (62 vette) job for around $500.00. Another guy quoted $1500 and it was that price that convinced me to go with the POR15.
I would love a do-over on this one. Oh, the local PC guy says he can remove POR15 using plastic bead. Hard to believe, but he says he has done it for others who have taken the wrong path. No cheap at $125.00/hr, but it can be done.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
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I have a half-empty can of POR-15 in the garage fridge' now. Lid comes off very easily everytime I want to use a little. Secret:
Clean both lid and can mating areas with a cloth and a screwdriver tip pushing the cloth down in the lip valley and clean it out pristine or use q-tips before re-installing the lid. Then - turn the can upside down - place in a big zip lock bag and put in fridge. Keeps forever.
Just gotta' remember that it is very thick and sluggish until it warms up
Clean both lid and can mating areas with a cloth and a screwdriver tip pushing the cloth down in the lip valley and clean it out pristine or use q-tips before re-installing the lid. Then - turn the can upside down - place in a big zip lock bag and put in fridge. Keeps forever.
Just gotta' remember that it is very thick and sluggish until it warms up