I'm putting together my old Formula that's been in pieces for a few years and after crawling around under the car and inside the engine compartment, I'm seriously considering picking up some POR-15 to paint over pretty much the entire undercarriage and engine bay. There's bits of surface rust here and there (especially the floor plugs). This is New England so once it's done I'll be pretty much only driving the car on nice days on dry roads.
Wondering what you all think about how best to preserve these cars as they are getting on in years. Parts seem to be WAY harder to find now and so many things are no longer available new.
Am I doing right by my car to brush on the POR-15? We're not going for show points here...
POR 15 is great stuff I have used it. Its been on the Chassis of one of my cas for 9 years. Its application involves other chemicals and preparations that are important too, make sure to check that out. Also if it is in a place that will get sunlight it needs a topcoat of another paint, POR is vulnerable to UV. One other thing is if your metal is still all good and like you said it will be driven on nice days for fun, I would probably just use something simpler, just a good primer and paint.
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 08-09-2017).]
POR-15 only sticks to rusty metal. If you put it over a painted surface, it will peel off. To properly apply, you need to sandblast or sand the surface to bare metal, flash rust the entire surface with their supplied chemicals, then apply POR-15.
[This message has been edited by fieroguru (edited 08-09-2017).]
Used POR 15 on my cradle when I did my engine swap back in 2013. I acid etched the new metal and wire brushed the rusty metal. Still looks good to this day. I think key is acid etching any new or unrusted metal.
Great info you guys thanks a lot!. I didn't know there was so much prep needed for the POR-15... I like the idea of a simpler chassis paint that I can just use over the existing factory black.
I actually used magic implement paint during my engine swap few years ago, and still looks just as good today as it did 3 years ago. Can get it at tractor supply for like $40 a gallon.
the undercarriage of my 88 Formula was in pretty bad shape. I used POR-15 and was/ still am, extremely satisfied with the results. this stuff is bullet proof ! all I did was heavily wire brush the entire bottom of the car, the clean off the residue. ( I had a wire brush wheel in a drill for the process ) My Fiero now has a strong undercoated protectant which I myself strongly recommend. POR- 15 also has an attractive finish too. one thing though...WEAR GLOVES !!!!! This stuff DOES NOT COME OFF ! That should tell you a thing or two about this product. Its a bank vault in a can if you ask me.
POR 15 iis good. I did my Fiero cradles and underbidty with it. THe orginal POR 15 is for rust then they have a chassis coat which is more of topcoat. Use the POR 15 on the rusteareas, let dry, then usse the chassiscoat over everything. Looks fantasitc for years and did not peel for me.
.... POR- 15 also has an attractive finish too. one thing though...WEAR GLOVES !!!!! This stuff DOES NOT COME OFF ! .
Yep I recommend long sleeves, long pants, gloves, and I masking taped my sleeves to my gloves so there was no gap. Another trick is sunscreen or lotion on your face, it helps so any spatter wont stick too well, oh and a stocking hat.
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 08-14-2017).]
