FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS POR15 paint, in particular, is not at all like any other paint you may have used in the past and regardless of whether you are new to painting or a professional it is imperative that you read all about how to use our products. As a result we have listed below the questions we are continually asked by clients who contact us. We do pride ourselves in supplying in depth data sheets on all our products, please make use of them. PREPARATION - What is the proper preparation before using POR15 Rust Paint?
- If I have the surface sandblasted do I still need to use Marine Clean and Metal Ready?
- Must I wash off Metal Ready after using it?
- Would it be better to wipe the surface down with Prepsol?
- Will Marine Clean and Metal Ready harm my hands?
- Do I dilute the Metal Ready?
POR15 RUST PAINT
- Why should I believe that POR15 Rust Paint will work any better that any other type of rust inhibitor on the market?
- Are any of the POR15 colours (Black, Silver, Grey or Clear) any better to use?
- Is it better to brush or spray POR15 Rust Paint?
- Is it dangerous to get POR15 Rust Paint on my hands?
- How do I thin POR15 if I want to spray it?
- How many coats of POR15 Rust Paint do I apply?
- How long does it take POR15 Rust Paint to dry?
- Can I paint over a cured POR15 Rust Paint?
- Can I apply POR15 over other paints?
- Do I need to topcoat POR15 if it is in the sun?
- How long will POR15 Rust Paint last?
FUEL TANK
- Do I need to do the 3 steps outlined in the kit instructions?
PREPARATION 1.
What is the proper preparation before using POR15 Rust Paint?
1. Clean the surface down with Marine Clean or a degreaser which must be washed off. This is particularly important for new steel as this is coated with a protective oil finish at the mill which must be removed before using Metal Ready or POR15 Rust Paint. Marine Clean will also get rid of oil, grease, silicones and other contaminants which could hinder the POR15 paint adhering to the surface.
2. Apply Metal Ready and keep it on the surface wet for about 15-20 minutes. You may need to re-apply Metal Ready as it will only work when it is wet. Wash the Metal Ready off with water and let it dry. You may notice when the surface is dry that there is a rusty look to the metal, this is normal.
3. At this stage the surface must be totally dry. Failure to do this will result in moisture being trapped under the paint which will allow rusting to carry on.
4. Apply POR15 Rust Paint as per instructions.
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2. If I have the surface sandblasted do I still need to use Marine Clean and Metal Ready?
No. A sandblasted surface is an ideal surface for POR15 Rust Paint to adhere to. It must be noted though that professional sand blasters like to put an etch primer on to stop the rusting process- we prefer if this was not done- just apply POR15 Rust Paint straight away. White metal blast will assure the best surface to paint POR15 over. A sweep blast may require a treatment of Metal Ready.
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3. Must I wash off Metal Ready after using it?
Yes. Metal Ready must be washed off the metal and the surface completely dry before coating. Metal Ready dissolves rust and etches metal surfaces.
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4. Would it be better to wipe the surface down with Prepsol?
Absolutely definitely not! Por15 is not like other paints that you may use – it hates Prepsol so please do not use it.
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5. Will Marine Clean and Metal Ready harm my hands?
It is wise to wear gloves when using these products as the Marine Clean especially will take the natural oils out of your skin. Metal Ready being acid based may aggravate your skin.
Do I use Marine Clean straight from the bottle?
No it is too strong. Dilute it depending on how dirty the surface you are to paint is. Try a weaker solution of 1 part Marine Clean to 15 parts of water first. If that solution is too weak then put less water in.
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6. Do I dilute the Metal Ready?
No. Use it straight from the bottle.
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POR15 RUST PAINT
7. Why should I believe that POR15 Rust Paint will work any better that any other type of rust inhibitor on the market?
POR15 Rust Paint is a single component, moisture cured, non-porous undercoat primer. POR15 is not a rust inhibitor but is a full encapsulation system. POR15 is cured by the moisture in the air, and when cured is not affected by moisture, solvents, fuels and many acids. If moisture and air can not reach the substrate surface the likelihood of metal deterioration is greatly reduced. POR15 is strengthened by exposure to moisture, and the toughness of POR15 prevents cracking and chipping.
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8. Are any of the POR15 colours (Black, Silver, Grey or Clear) any better to use?
Silver contains metal filler and should be used in badly rusted, pitted areas as it will fill in holes better than the other colours.
Black is generally used on frames, underside of the car etc, because that’s the usual colour there and it gives a smooth shiny black finish.
Clear renders a smooth finish and is often used as a pre-primer on exterior surfaces, on fibreglass.
Grey is an excellent choice for all general work, especially machinery.
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9. Is it better to brush or spray POR15 Rust Paint?
Most people brush it on as it is a self leveling paint so brush marks disappear. You must always paint in a well ventilated area and keep your nose away from the paint container. POR15, if you are brushing it on, is not dangerous if you follow directions and use common sense. You can also spray it but please be aware that POR15 Rust Paint contains isocyanates which are dangerous when inhaled. Only spray if you have full in-flow breathing gear, and organic vapour particule respirators for solvents.
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10. Is it dangerous to get POR15 Rust Paint on my hands?
It is advisable to wear hand protection at all times but if you do get paint on your skin, nothing will take it off and you will wear it for at least 4 or 5 days until natural oils and flaking skin remove it. Wash well with soap and water.
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11. How do I thin POR15 if I want to spray it?
You should use POR15 Solvent for thinning as it does not contain moisture and thin no more than 5%. Lacquer thinners are great for cleaning up.
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12. How many coats of POR15 Rust Paint do I apply?
You must apply a minimum of 2 coats of POR15 Rust Paint on any job. If your job is in a marine or industrial situation then you must apply a minimum of 3 coats of POR15. If you don’t apply the required coats of paint then there will not be a sufficient micron thickness of paint on the surface which could allow air and moisture to get through to keep the rusting process going.
Apply the first coat of POR15 Rust Paint, then when it is touch dry apply the second or subsequent coats of POR15. If you are going to topcoat POR15 then when the last coat is touch dry, or no more than 72 hours old apply the topcoat.
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13. How long does it take POR15 Rust Paint to dry?
That depends on the ambient humidity (surrounding area). The more humid the area, the faster the drying time which usually varies from 2-5 hours for the paint to be touch dry, and up to 72 hours for a full cure.
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14. Can I paint over a cured POR15 Rust Paint?
Yes, and there are two ways of doing that.
a. Give the POR15 a light sand to remove the gloss, make sure the surface is dry then apply the topcoat.
b. Apply Tiecoat Primer which is the only primer that will key into a cured POR15 easily.
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15. Can I apply POR15 over other paints?
Yes, but you will lose the important benefits of POR15.You must remember that ordinary paints are weakened by exposure to moisture. POR15 can’t stop rust if it isn’t in direct contact with the base metal. You must give the paint you are over coating a light sand to ensure that it will not come off in the future as it will take POR15 Rust Paint with it, should its adhesion be suspect.
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16. Do I need to topcoat POR15 if it is in the sun?
No, but POR15 Rust Paint is sensitive to UV and must be top coated if continually exposed to sunlight. Once top coated POR15 will remain effective for many years.
If any of your work is out of the sunlight then you can leave the POR15 Rust Paint as it is.
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17. How long will POR15 Rust Paint last?
It is very hard for a paint company to say how long paint will last as there are so many variables. However, if all the instructions are followed on preparation and application POR15 Rust Paint will last for a very long time. If you try and short cut things then we are afraid it may come back to haunt you. We have seen work 10 to 11 years old still in very good condition.
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FUEL TANK
18. Do I need to do the 3 steps outlined in the kit instructions?
If you have had nothing done to your tank like chemical cleaning or stripping then yes you will.
If your tank has been chemically cleaned or stripped you will still need to use the Metal Ready before the Tank Sealer.
Marine Clean will get rid of all the sludge, varnish and fossil fuels that will have accumulated in your tank. After using Marine Clean rinse out your tank with water.
Metal Ready etches your tank ready for application of the Tank Sealer. Tank Sealer, like POR15 Rust Paint, will not adhere to a smooth, slippery surface. After using Metal Ready rinse out the tank with water and let it dry. Use a hair dryer (if you are allowed) to help this. Don’t leave the tank out in the sun as it will sweat inside.
Tank Sealer – before pouring this into your tank take out any sender units and tape up any inlet holes. Pour the Tank Sealer into your tank, slosh it around to get coverage, pour out any excess and discard.
Leave the tank 72 hours for a full cure before putting any fuel back into it. ::BACK TO THE TOP:: | 
