Rustoration Question - Seal, POR-15, Primer, Advice on the order applied Options

[Larouex]

Hi,

I am getting close to finishing up my rustoration on the passenger side of the car and I have looked over lots of other rustoration threads on the forum and have not been able to come up with a clear idea of the order I should apply my protective stuff.

Should I…

Option #1 – Apply Seam Sealer, POR-15, POR-15 Topcoat and then primer for Paint

*** -- or -- ***

Option #2 – Apply POR-15, Seam Sealer, POR-15 Topcoat and then primer for Paint

Any other opinions appreciated!

Thanks,
Larouex

[Richard Casto]

You will get a lot of different opinions regarding POR-15. Some love it, some hate it. My opinion based upon my usage is that it's good stuff if used properly. Surface prep (as with pretty much any paint) is keep. I think those who have bad experience with POR-15 are painting over dirty spots (need to clean), or super smooth surfaces (need to rough up and/or etch with something like Ospho) and this allows it to peal. Also it is my understanding that it can be affected by UV light, so it should not be the final paint on parts that will see the light of day.

I would tend to agree that if the Panel is 100% rust free, then you may not need POR-15. However I am using it in some strategic locations that currently don't have rust, but are prone to rust. Mostly this is in interior cavities that I currently have open and will not be painted once I close them up. I will also use it in a few exterior spots that I will eventually prime and paint as well.

On the assumption you are talking about areas that are rust repair and might have some rust that you can't be sure if you have removed as well as you would like, then I would try to follow the POR-15 instructions. That basically is to clean the section as best as you physically can. This includes removing any dirt, oil, grease, etc. Then I would use something like Ospho or Metal Ready which will give you a zinc phosphate layer as well as etch the surface a bit to help the POR-15 adhere. Then I would apply the POR-15. Then I would put the seam sealer on top of the POR-15.

I can't speak to the POR topcoat and primer. And if you are using an epoxy primer, it is possible that you might want to put the seam sealer on after the primer.