POR 15 floorpan kit

[e_racer1999]

well, i was reading through MSAs specials book and i came across this. since i have about a 1.5' rust gash in my pass side floorpan, i was considering getting this as opposed to getting the replacement floorpans (i don't have a welder).

anyone ever used this?

also, i'm gonna post a pic of my floorpans to see if it would be pointless

[Bambikiller240]

The POR15 repair kit is fine for repairing "PIN HOLES" in the floorpan. It will not provide ANY structural integrity to the pan. If what you have is a "1.5' rust gash" (as I define a gash) you'd be better off spending money on the replacement floorpan AND also getting the POR15 kit to ensure that it never rusts.

POR15 is a good product, but it is not magic.

[MikeW]

I used the kit and was happy with the results. The kit contains more than just POR15 paint; it also includes something they call "power mesh" which is basically a fiberglass mesh material as well as some epoxy putty. When the mesh is saturated with the POR15 paint it becomes quite strong.

I wouldn't use this on a floor that is very porous but in my case there was actually plenty of metal and just a few small holes and cracks that were rusted through.

[Ed]

Instead of replacing the entire floor pan why don't you just cut out the rusted part and replace it with some 18 guage sheet metal. You will retain the structural integrity and it will look better. If you do most of the work yourself you will pay a welder for only one maybe two hours of labor.

Start by stripping the undercoating and removing the carpets. Cut out the rusted metal with a skill saw or sawzall. Clean the area around the cut, remove all the paint and under coating so it won't burn when welded (about 2" worth, a grinder with a 80 grit abrasive pad works great).

Now cut a patch that will fit perfect. Cut the patch a little large, by about 1/8 inch. Then grind to fit. You don't want a gap anywhere around the patch. Some people will tell you that overlapping the edges is easier, and it is, but it will also provide a space for rust to develop. Take it to your welder and have him butt weld the patch and grind smooth. Now you can do the POR-15 to finish.

[Bambikiller240]

The Power Mesh fabric is good, but for a 1 and 1/2 Foot gash.............I do not believe it is intended or capable of securing that kind of damage. I used the epoxy putty to fill the small to medium pin holes and it worked well also, but I don't think it provided much if any strength.

One other thing to think about is if you plan on using the kit to cover one or both sides of both Left AND Right floor pans. The kit may not give you enough POR15 to do both sides of both floorpans.

[MikeW]

The Power Mesh fabric is good, but for a 1 and 1/2 Foot gash.............I do not believe it is intended or capable of securing that kind of damage.

Ah, I read 1.5' as 1.5".

Never mind.

:stupid:

[Ed]

One more thing, if your "gash" is anywhere near the frame rail you can bet that the frame rail has rust too.

[Bambikiller240]

Ah, I read 1.5' as 1.5".

Never mind.

:stupid:

Hi Mike:

If he meant 1.5 inches, then I wouldn't hesitate to use the Power Mesh and Epoxy putty. It would work fine for that. It could be that he meant 1.5 inches. I dunno.

Check that rail like Ed mentions. Best to fix it all at once.

[e_racer1999]

nah, it's 1.5 feet... crazy huh? well, i'm either going to get the floorpan kit from one of the various internet sites ($250 - $360) or work with my dad to fabricate a stainless steel floorpan and frame rail set... then, of course, i will POR 15 and rubber coat the bottom (and top)

i was just hoping to save a wee bit of money and do something that wouldn't take up a few weekends!

[EScanlon]

By the time you buy, bend and try to install those floor pans in STAINLESS, I think you'll have more money into it than if you just bought the pans from ZeddFindings.

Also, why go to stainless? For the sake of saying it's stainless? What you gain in strength of the sheet, you're going to lose in trying to attach it to the car. Then, you mention you don't have a welder, so how do you plan to weld STAINLESS to regular CARBON steel?

Even though it is a 1.5' gash, you can usually procure a 6" wide and 2' long piece of metal, bend it and have it welded onto the pan much easier than removing the old, grinding it clean, and then welding a new pan in.

As far as the POR, although it will reinforce an otherwise rusted floor, even with some pinholes, or even small cracks, if you use the Power Mesh, it definitely is not a replacement or cure-all for a long gash as you mention. If you don't use the power mesh, then it's just paint.

2¢

Enrique

[240Zdragon72]

I had this idea of cutting my floor pans out and replacing them with alumminum diomand plate. You know, like the one in Fast and Furious on the green Eclipse. It looked good until it rupped out of the bottom.

[e_racer1999]

the only reason i was thinking of going stainless was cause my dad has access to it... ya, so more than likely i'm going with the kit....