POR-15.

[volvoguy87]

I'm restoring a 1983 Kenmore 70 Series and I need to learn about POR-15.

The top on this washer is not porcelain and there is surface rust on the underside, particularly around the hole for the bleach dispenser bezel. What kind of POR-15 products (out of the many they offer) should I order so I can paint the underside of the top?

Any tips on how to work with the stuff?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[turquoisedude]

Dave,

I have used the 'marine' version to repaint washer tubs;  because they were porcelain, I had to rough up the porcelain and I used their 'Metal Clear' product to etch the surface.   On other restores,  like cabinet bases,  I just gave the surface a good cleaning with a wire brush and applied the POR-15 directly.

The fumes from this product are highly toxic - I would strongly recommend that you use this in a very well-ventilated location or outdoors.   I repainted the base of the 53 Westy dryer inside the house in winter and sheesh! the house stank for weeks even  though I had a couple of windows open in the basement where I was working. 

The paint itself will stick to anything, so make sure your work area is well-covered and wear gloves! 

You can keep any paint leftovers in a well-sealed glass jar (don't use a mason jar, though - the seal can get permanently bonded to the jar if you spill any paint on it!) and - seriously - keep it refrigerated.

Just my 2 cents, but I hope it helps!!

 

[volvoguy87]

How does it go on?

I assume that I'm supposed to brush it on. Does it go on smoothly, or is it supposed to go on in a thick coat? Should I use this to paint the baseplate too? Mine leaked around the tub-to-pump trap gromet and rusted the baseplate a bit. I assume I should grind off the rust before painting with POR-15.

Any additional thoughts?
Dave

 

[turquoisedude]

You can just brush it on, Dave - the paint itself is pretty thick, but don't skimp.  It can run and create lumps, though, if you put it on too thick.

About the surface rust,  I have never ground it right off - not sure if that would be better or not...  Check what the instructions with the paint says; I have run into trouble with other rust paints where I ground the rust off and then tried to paint with no success (I had to prime the base metal...)

I would say definitely re-do the baseplate, too! 

Hope this helps!