POR-15 users, I have some questions.

[GNICETRY]

I have a fire escape that I have to paint and would only like to do it once.
I have heard that POR-15 is actually thinner in consistency than paint. Is that true?
How long does it take to dry?
Can I paint right over rusty spots?
And is it slippery to walk on?
Does this really work like everyone says it does? Puts a protective coating on the metal that is ALMOST indestructible.
Thanks.

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Regular POR 15 is not UV resistent. It will turn gray if left uncoated...
If the parts are partially painted, those areas will not hold POR...

 

[Rivical]

Like Chuck says, and it's in the name. POR paint over rust. Doesn't stick to paint. I believe the silver is UV protectant? Haven't used it.

If you're spraying it, you have an option. You can spray a topcoat of any other paint over it that does provide the UV protection while it's still tacky, but once it's cured, you aren't getting anything to stick to it. I only use it on small jobs and have always just used spray can touch-up paint for a covering since I'll usually need to spray the whole area later to finish it off.

If it's not rusty all over though, you're gonna have spots that are relying on the surrounding previously rust covered areas for adhesion and it may eventually flake off. Probly take a good long while for that to happen anyways though...

 

[Chuck Leeper]

My last use of the stuff:
Wire brush and vaced the floor in the 55...No paint, just surface rust. Once cleaned, a coat of POR 15 was applied. It sat that way for about 6 mo's.
Noticed that it looked like it was coming loose...Scraped an edge, and pulled on the loose end. A sheet about the size of my hand pulled off...The rest of the supply went to the hazmat dump.