Observations from a POR-15 first timer

[toomanybikes]

Just went through my first POR-15 coating and figured I'd capture a few hints for posterity and other newbies. I skipped all the standard instructions, so maybe these are obvious, maybe not ...

1.) A half-pint would have been plenty for a GL1100 tank. I bought a pint and drained most of the excess back into the can, which is now 2/3 full. Is it re-usable?

2.) Wear nitrile gloves throughout the process, and probably remove jewelry as well. The paint becomes super tacky as it dries.

3.) Blow out the fuel tubes after you've drained most of the excess paint. In my case I still had the filler opening and sender unit opening covered and the paint came back out the RES line when I put air through the ON line.

4.) It doesn't dry quickly, so you have time to wipe up drips. It doesn't matter much on GL tanks, but I imagine the tank paint on traditional bike tanks would be more delicate.

5.) It's a good idea to check the insides using an endoscope to make sure you have everything covered. But be careful and/or patient to make sure the lining is fully dried otherwise you may get POR-15 on the camera lens and it will be useless once it dries.

[pidjones]

I suggest you use a USB endoscope camera to inspect the top of the tank.

[toomanybikes]

I suggest you use a USB endoscope camera to inspect the top of the tank.

Done, top surfaces are coated. After draining the excess back into the can I let it sit upside down for a good 60 minutes. Any pooled paint from the bottom would flow to the top surfaces and eventually to the filler opening. Some eventually pooled below the opening, but i'll let it cure for several days before adding any gas.

Were you suggesting the endoscope as a general good practice or because the amount of excess paint?

[redglbx]

Using an inspection camera for something like this is just a good practice, they’ve gotten so cheap and they’re such a great tool for so many things, just a no-brainer imho !.

[pidjones]

Were you suggesting the endoscope as a general good practice or because the amount of excess paint?

Yes.

[Tbell]

I used Por15 14 years ago on my 76 tank. I was ignorant about re-coating a fuel tank so I followed the instructions to the letter. The tank looks, today, just like it did back then. If in doubt read and follow the directions.

[gltriker]

If you had the tank upside down for 60 minutes, there will not be excess POR-15 sealer left in the tank.
Even if there is a small puddle in the bottom of the tank, it will dry eventually anyway. It's not Kreme

I recall being quite surprised how much POR-15 sealer drained out of my GL1000 fuel tank, back into the 8 ounce can, too. I don't know whether the extra sealer would have been still usable.

Don't sweat it. Be patient and let the sealer cure for the recommended time.

(My newly sealed fuel tank sat for several months before I reinstalled it into the trike's frame.)

[toomanybikes]

If you had the tank upside down for 60 minutes, there will not be excess POR15 sealer left in the tank.
Even if there is a small puddle in the bottom of the tank, it will dry eventually anyway. It's not Kreme!
Both supply tubes are not plugged.

I blew air through the supply tubes, so they are known to be clear.

Another learning I'll add to the list. "When checking the insides using an endoscope, make sure the lining is fully dried otherwise you may get POR-15 on the camera lens and it will be useless once it dries."

here's a pic showing the edge of the remaining puddle, near the primary supply opening. screen damage from previous nuts&bolts during cleaning process

PXL_20210321_123921740.jpg

[jml74]

This was very interesting, thanks for sharing. I've got a couple of tanks that will likely need something done and it will be either POR-15 or Caswell. Did you look at Caswell? I got some strong recommendations on it, although POR-15 was a close second.

[flyin900]

If you can seal the extra sealer in a jar or can that is mostly full then you can reuse it no problem. I reused some a few years later and it worked as new. The trick is to make sure there is no real air space above the top of the sealer in its container. If there is it will harden off with time.

[toomanybikes]

If you can seal the extra sealer in a jar or can that is mostly full then you can reuse it no problem. I reused some a few years later and it worked as new. The trick is to make sure there is no real air space above the top of the sealer in its container. If there is it will harden off with time.

Good to know. I put it back in the original paint can, which it filled roughly 2/3's. I have some glass jelly jars that should hold it perfectly.

[toomanybikes]

This was very interesting, thanks for sharing. I've got a couple of tanks that will likely need something done and it will be either POR-15 or Caswell. Did you look at Caswell? I got some strong recommendations on it, although POR-15 was a close second.

I did not look at Caswell.

[Don R]

I did Caswell in a fibermold cb750 tank It hadn't had gasohol in it and was in new condition. I bought a larger quantity and originally was going to use half. I could see through the bottom of the tank as it was spreading and wasn't positive of the coverage so I mixed it all dumped it in and rolled it until I was. I ended up with some icicles hanging from the tunnel as it hardened but I'm confident it stuck and protected the vintage fiberglass.
The tank has a pinstripe design and I was going to paint it black until the PO told me it was striped by The Englishman at Laconia in the late 70's.