I decided to coat my axles with por-15. I tried differnt methods on the front verses the rear to see the end results and how por-15 products would compare to proven methods I have used. I ordered 2 starter kits along with 2 - 14oz rattle cans of black coat top coat to use on my axles.
After the tear down of axles and before touching axles with any chemicals, I use a high pressure steam cleaner that I have at work to steam clean both axles. Now even with high pressure steam, I was not able to get all the build up of the last 44 years off. So this is where I decided to try 2 different approaches.
The rear axle I used por-15 products, marine clean and metal prep, along with por-15 and black coat to top coat it. I have to say that I am not well pleased with marine clean at all. It took three coats to get all the build up off. It did loosen up the build up each time so it made it easier to scrape off and wire brush some of it. After 3 coats rinse well per instructions, let dry and use of metal prep, let stand 10 min. per instructions and rinse well. Metal prep etched well enough for the por-15 to adhere, but I have seen better. Then it was coated with por-15 (2 coats, with dry time inbetween) and finally coated 2 times with black coat.
The rear axle was a different story. I used, well lets say "chemical" that I had acces to at work. 1 coat with 1 min. dwell time and rinsed well to remove all traces of chemical. This process etched the metal better than the metal prep, but I expected that. Coated with por-15 as above and black coat as above.
Now I know that not everybody has access to the "chimical" I used, but a nice acid based chemical in the 2 -4 ph range would do the same trick, as long as it does not dwell too long and you rinse completly.
End results, both axles are coated and look the same, but the front was done with little to no effort in cleanning and took way less time in prep. I am happy with the result though.
1st pic before. 2nd pic after cleaning of both axles. 3rd pic after shot and in a little rain so they look wet.
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