Hammerite vs. POR 15

franksm

Have heard good reviews of POR 15 when used as an undercoat on metalwork. Same with Hammerite/Smootherite.

Has anyone used POR15 ? http://www.por15direct.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.140/it.A/id.1127/.f

What's the price of a big tin of Hammerite here ? POR 15 from the States is about $130USD for a gallon, including UPS shipping

Spit62500

I've read (on the TSSC website I think) that Hammerite has changed in recent years and is now more brittle and prone to chipping. I've never read anything bad about POR15 other than that its more or less impossible to get off your skin - American forums say the same thing as the US ones about it - seems to be the best option in most people's minds.

That price is good as a quart is stg£27 before freight from Frost. Presumably you'll have to pay duty and a handling fee(?) on top of that price if you import it from outside the EU.

Not sure about the price of Hammerite but I think that it'd be less than a quarter of the price of POR15 - value depends what you're using it for I suppose. If you're the kind of person who wants a pristine, painted floor and suspension for show purposes then maybe POR15 is worth the extra. If you're going to paint a chassis and then cover the whole lot in underseal then Hammerite would probably be fine as it'll be unlikely to suffer too many stonechips in that case.

BrianD3

I have used POR-15. I can't really compare it to Hammerite as I've never used that but I have heard a lot of bad reports about Hammerite and nothing but good reports about POR. 6 months after I used the POR the rust has not reappeared but that doesn't say much. Too early to tell how good it is. I also managed to fill a few pinholes with the paint and they seem fine. I used the silver colour POR which apparently contains bits of metal the idea being that it is good for filling in light pitting and pinholes.

The shipping charges from Frost are pretty steep. 16 stg IIRC. I believe shipping is the same if you get one tin or ten tins so if you're getting a few POR-15 products do all of your ordering at once! And maybe get one of the bigger tins. Also I think surface prep is really critical with POR-15. You want the area to be really spotless and degreased. I would use POR-15s own cleaner "marine clean" and also use their "metal ready" solution which apparently etches the metal for a better key and coats it with zinc to provide better rustproofing. If you plan to painting over the POR you'll want some "tie coat primer" before you put a topcoat on as apparently top coats do not stick to the POR.

The tie coat primer, metal ready and marine clean are all available from frost. I didn't know you could get them from por15shop as when I enquired I thought they said they wouldn't ship outside of the states. if they will ship then go for it as it seems a lot cheaper plus you've a favourable exchange rate and VAT/duty should not be too much.

I would get the silver POR-15 for painting a rusty floor.Just be aware that you brush the POR on and it does not leave a very smooth finish for topcoating. So it's probably not suitable for use in a very conspicuous area.

ds20prefecture

Those who's opinions I respect advise POR15 or Chassis Black instead of Hammerite. The trick with POR15, as with any paint, is careful preparation. If you follow the advice to the letter you will get excellent results. Cut corners and you're screwed.

franksm

Thanks for the info !

Think I'll try getting the POR15 from the States although I know UPS are sticklers for collecting import duty. Still, looks like it's working out much cheaper than going to Frost (for 4 x quart tins)

Frost sell some other cool stuff, though, like those Intergrip welding clamps (http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=8351)

alastair

I've used the POR15 stuff, and it seemed to go well - again only time will tell.
I bought it from the states, along with some other bits and pieces for my volvo 1800es. This crowd are classic/older volvo specialists, and not the cheapest source you might find, but they deliver via regular post, and I've not been caught with import duty so far.

http://www.ipdusa.com

ds20prefecture

I believe you can buy POR in France or Germany. They should be Euro zone and duty exempt.
e.g. http://www.hoeseler-por15.com/best_e.htm