POR-15 or sandblast frame?

[68wannabe]

I'm just looking to get a few opinions on what you guys would do with a bare frame. I'm looking at either sandblasting and painting the frame on my '68 or just using POR-15 (or something relevant). I've heard some good things and bad things about both. Hopefully a lot of you have done this before and could give me some direction. Thanks!

[JLANG1978]

I just finished my 69 and did both. I blasted it clean and had the POR-15 sprayed on. I know it can be sprayed over the rust but I wanted a nice finish. The POR-15 also protected against any small amounts of rust that I might not have completely removed during the blasting process especially in the riveted areas where the cross members join. It looks great and is tough as hell!

[davepl]

Can't it be both?

I sand-blasted and then powder coated, but if you can get it to flow out without brush marks I'd have no qualms about using POR-15 instead. It's not powder coat, but having had to grind some off once it's indeed tough stuff.

Even if using POR-15, though, I'd still blast it to (a) give the POR some mechanical bite, which will hugely increase its durability, and (b) the same places can often acid-wash it to make doubly sure there's no grease or grime before they start blasting it deeper into the metal.

Most of all of this could be done with lacquer thinner, a scraper and a wire brush. It'd just be a lot of ugly work if you don't mind that! And stay ventilated...

[vidman]

Blasted and used POR-15, Then Chassis Black. Came out perfect. But just remember its only a frame unless your building a show truck..

[68wannabe]

I was thinking it had to be painted if it was sand blasted because the POR-15 reacts with the rust. Guess I was wrong. And yes, vidman, that is true. It's just a frame, but I would like to take care of the rust for as long a period as possible. Thanks for the info guys.

[colgad]

If you use POR-15 and no top coat do not leave the bare frame outside for very long. There is no UV protection from the sun. Great protection from everything else.

[oldschool18]

I used a grinder, wire wheel, scrapper and some degreaser then used por 15 with a brush and it came out great. Was a bit dirty grinding the frame but it saved me time hauling the frame and money for the sandblasting, and people want an arm and a leg to blast stuff around here. If you never used por 15 here are a couple things to keep in mind.......where gloves and watch splashing it cause if it gets on your skin it has to wear off....I had it on my arm and face for 2 weeks till it came off. don't use it straight from the can always pour some into a cup and use it that way. and take some plastic cling wrap from your kitchen and put it over the can before you put the lid back on....or you will need to cut the lid off. I spilled some on my work bench so I just brushed it in since my bench is black I figured it wouldn't hurt.....well it didn't hurt it but it gave the wood like a ceramic coating. I cracked it with a hammer and didn't make a mark and I was sold.

[68wannabe]

How much POR-15 will I need? Doesn't need to be a specific amount, just a general idea. There's a place around me that will sand blast my frame for $100, so I'm just going to compare the two prices.

[PowerdbyChevy79]

My .02 ....what r u gonna use your truck for...if its a weekend warrior I would go with powdercoat...if its a daily driver I would go with por 15....its great and a little goes along way..one qt will do a whole frame...
Heres my frame.. I wire wheeled it used por 15 and used john deere blitz black as a topcoat...