POR-15, worth the money?

Post by **67-2door** » Wed May 28, 2008 9:21 pm

When I've got my car all welded up and the underseal and rust all cleaned off I obviously would like to keep it rust free for as long as possible.
I've bought some red oxide anti-rust primer, but looking in a Frost catalogue it would seem that POR-15 is the best stuff for the job, paint over old steel and it dries to a super hard, resilient finish similar to powder coat, but obviously it is very expensive.
I dont object too much paying out for this stuff if it really is the best protection, does anyone have any experience of it, is it as good as its claims and worth the money?

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Wed May 28, 2008 9:27 pm

Hi 67-2door,

I've not got any experience of that product but I know that it's very popular.

I read a Practical Classics product test a few months ago where they did some pretty harsh testing on some of these anti-rust paints and treatments (including POR-15). The one which came top in both categories was Rustbuster's Epoxy Mastic 121. So that's my choice. It's pricey though - I was given some for a birthday present!

It's also fiddly to use, being a 2-pack type product, which goes off after an hour and a half, so you have to be quite careful judging how much to mix up. Goes on easy though, and dries to a finish like enamel. You can leave it as it is, or paint over it if you prefer. It comes in different colours.

Oh and it smells strong - use in well-ventilated place and all that. I would suggest a shower room

wibble

Post by **aupickup** » Wed May 28, 2008 10:56 pm

but they still recommend a covering of maintenance wax over it afterwards

just use engine oil

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Wed May 28, 2008 11:15 pm

aupickup wrote:but they still recommend a covering of maintenance wax over it afterwards

Over which - the POR-15 or the epoxy mastic? Didn't notice that in the EM instructions

Post by **aupickup** » Fri May 30, 2008 8:38 pm

over the mastic i read

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Fri May 30, 2008 8:44 pm

I've put chassis black over mine

Post by **67-2door** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 1:23 pm

Nobody has any personal experience of the por-15 then? I guess I'll use red oxide anti-rusting primer followed by chassis black then.

Post by **alex_holden** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 1:34 pm

I tend to use a zinc-rich primer rather than red oxide. Never tried POR-15 or Epoxy Mastic.

Post by **jaekl** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 1:39 pm

POR-15 is from the States and is very popular here. I haven't used it yet but I have not heard any issues with it.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 5:34 pm

Oh and it smells strong - use in well-ventilated place and all that. I would suggest a shower room

my 'shower room' is over the bath... not relly enough room for a Minor in there ;-)

Post by **MGFmad** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:39 pm

alex_holden wrote:I tend to use a zinc-rich primer rather than red oxide. Never tried POR-15 or Epoxy Mastic.

Same here, the zinc rich primer then chassis black. I will possibly then overcoat under the wings and sill edges with the waxoyl type underseal - not finally decided that part yet!

Post by **alex_holden** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:49 pm

MGFmad wrote:I will possibly then overcoat under the wings and sill edges with the waxoyl type underseal - not finally decided that part yet!

Just use ordinary Waxoyl or Dinitrol and reapply it about once a year in dry weather. Underseal is horrible stuff IMHO.

I also thoroughly rinse underneath with a hosepipe every time I wash the car (about once a week) to prevent mud and salt crust from building up.

Post by **nick69** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:07 pm

I have used POR15 for years. Its in/on my Shelby, its the best around in my humble opinion.
You can get it from FROSTS or HOLDENS. I sudgest the 6-Pack because if you buy the big tins, when you dont use it all and try and seal the tin back up (cling film helps) it always ends up going off. The whole tin will go hard in 24 hours. If I have to leave a tin open I put it in the fridge, keeps longer.

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:32 am

rayofleamington wrote: my 'shower room' is over the bath... not relly enough room for a Minor in there ;-)

I had my fuel tank in there, with its struts and supports, plus the MC cover plate

In the Prat Class test they said that this stuff outperformed PoR-15 by far.

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:59 am

I bought a pint tin of POR-15 before reading all this. Cost about £20 but that included postage from Frosts. Having just finished the welding, I opened it yesterday, no mean feat aas the top is VERY deeply set! This stuff is thin and extremely black. Paints on easily, but tends to be messy under the car as it's so runny. It covers FAR better than anything else I've used, and dries to a smooth high gloss "diamond hard" finish (feels like the sort of effect you would get if you had run araldite over the chassis.) a pint did the whole underside from rear panel to front A-posts, so coverage is very good. It tells you not to get it on your skin or you will have to wait for it to wear off(guess who is waiting!). Difficult not to get something like that on you when you are lying on your back under the car! So, I am very impressed with it. Hope that helps someone, somewhere.