Anybody tried POR15 on alloy wheels?

[duncanh]

My alloy wheels are a disgusting mess.

I have corrosion bubbles all over, particularly around the rims where balance weights have been added and removed over the years. They are also a dreadful mess inside the bolt recesses. Most of the silver has flaked off and lumps of corrosion have formed. I found a small wire brush attachment that fitted inside the bolt recess and brought the recesses back to a lovely shiny surface. I then gave the recesses two coats of silver POR15.

I know that POR15 discolours in sunlight and should be over coated, but I am leaving it bare to try to see whether it is as strong as the manufacturers claim it to be. I am also interested to see if it works on aluminium alloy as well as on rusty steel. I have also coated my rusty wheel bolts with POR15. The new surface seems so hard that putting the bolts back on the next day did not mark them at all.

If it is as strong as I hope it is, it would be a brilliant paint to undercoat alloys with when they are refurbished.

Am I the first to try this? Any POR15 users like to comment?

 

[Baron_Samedi]

As I read it Frost sell POR15 as a rust-remover and preventive primer.

Peeps over on detailingworld etc use this product on alloys as part of a refurb.

It will discolour as the product leaves a zinc phosphate coating and this will be sure to impart a yellowy tinge.

For sure it will need paint and lacquer over the top to achieve a lasting finish.

 

[duncanh]

As I read it Frost sell POR15 as a rust-remover and preventive primer.

You may well be correct, but I always believed POR15 is not a rust remover. It sticks well to existing non-flaky rusty steel, and makes a sealed surface that is ULTRA hard.

What I am wondering is whether it sticks well to alloy, corroded or polished, thus ensuring that further corrosion cannot take place.

Things like Kurust are supposed rust converters, POR15 is just a very hard impenetrable coating over rust. This prevents further rusting by completely covers existing rust. I also believe that it does not discolour unless exposed to sunlight

That's my current belief, but I am prepared to be corrected.

 

[Baron_Samedi]

Good words from an experienced user

My only experience is finding it written about, but needing coatings of paint and lacquer.

But... if I could get away without those your posts will have saved me a bunch of effort!

What bothers me is that in a moist climate such as ours, whether locking the surface is such a good idea without removing all traces of corrosion first.

 

[duncanh]

What bothers me is that in a moist climate such as ours, whether locking the surface is such a good idea without removing all traces of corrosion first.

I understand your concern.

However, if the surface is truly locked, both inside and out (i.e. no perforations anywhere), there is no way that corrosion can continue. Corrosion needs oxygen, and if POR15 seals completely, there is no way that oxygen can get to the old rust and continue the corrosion process.

I noticed that one of the POR15 "colours" that is available is clear. When Frost were out of stock on silver, I sent them an email asking about the clear paint. Can you see the rust through the clear paint? They replied yes, it would still be visible if no coloured top coat was available. I guess this tells us that it does only cover the rust, not convert it in any way.

Let's hope it really works. No other rust treatment that I have tried over the years has been effective for very long.

 

[Baron_Samedi]

Fingers crossed