September 2023 - 40

Portasol
Portasol-Patch
Reviewed by Eric Moore, fleet manager at
Griffin Pavement Striping in Columbus, Ohio.
Q: What kind of setup was involved
before using the product?
A: We found that cleaning the surface
beforehand was pretty critical for a good
seal. Otherwise, it was just a matter of
removing the patch from its package, sizing
it for the injury, and then applying.
Q: How easy was it to use?
A:Apply and expose to UV; it was pretty
easy.
Q: How was its packaging?
A: The patches came in different sizes in
sealed packages. We cut a couple to size
for some small injuries, and placed the
unused portion back in the package and
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The Portasol-Patch from Portasol is
an instant, multi-purpose repair patch
available in two sizes: 3 " by 6 " and 6 "
by 9 " . It's easy to use, is self-adhesive,
and is a long-lasting solution for a wide
variety of applications, including automotive
repairs from bumpers, radiators,
exhaust leaks, fuel tanks and lines,
headlights, and more. The PortasolPatch
is a durable fiberglass-reinforced
polyester that can be sanded, grinded,
drilled, tapped, and painted. It's waterproof,
weather-proof, rot, rust, fire and
impact-proof, while also being chemical
and temperature resistant from -40 to
392 degrees F. The non-toxic patch will
work on almost any hard surface and will
not shrink or expand during application,
or when cured.
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sealed it back up in a zipper bag. Portasol
sent a UV flashlight for us to use to help
cure the epoxy.
Q: Was there a manual included? If
so, did you use the manual, and was
the manual easy to understand?
A: No manual but the instructions are on
the package.
Q: What features did you like?
A: Really easy to size the patch for injury,
and even to customize the shape if needed.
Q: Is there any way you could think
to improve or add to this tool?
A: No, I feel like there wasn't much room
for error. Once the patch is exposed to the
UV it starts curing pretty quickly and then
there's no room for adjustment.
Q: What types of jobs/repairs
did you use this tool for?
A: I used the Portasol-Patch on a bumper
cover, a metal fuel tank on a dirt bike, and
a few 5-gallon buckets. The patch worked
well on all pieces. I found it easy to work
with, and position within the first five to
15 minutes of application.
Before applying, I prepped the surfaces
by scuffing the area and a little bit of the
surrounding area. I wiped the areas down
with a clean rag and brake cleaner and then
applied the patches. On the fuel tank, I had
to remove the area of rust where there was
a hole and the paint immediately surrounding
the area.
The bumper cover and the fuel tank had
been sitting in the sun, so they were hot
to the touch. Once applied, the patch on
the bumper adhered really well, and only
This product was given to the reviewer free of charge from the manufacturer.
40 PTEN SEPTEMBER 2023 www.VehicleServicePros.com
allowed for positioning for about five minutes
before it was starting to cure. The total
time to cure where it felt solid was about
an hour.
The patch applied to the fuel tank took
quite a bit longer. It was still able to be
moved for almost 30 minutes, and it took
about two and a half hours for it to feel
totally hard and cured. When I rechecked
the fuel tank, it held water and did not leak.
I did a little sanding on the bumper cover
patch, and it was easy to shape. I applied
a little primer and now it's ready to install
back on the car when I get the chance.
Q: On a scale of 1 to 10, how would
you rate this tool overall? Why?
A: I would say it's a good 8.5. Easy to use but
does require UV light for proper curing.
ERIC MOORE began his career
working on cars at several franchise
dealerships. Initially, he
leaned towards smaller vehicles,
settling into Powersports vehicles,
where he stayed for over
20 years. Then, Moore went the total opposite
direction, landing at a medium and heavy duty
truck dealership. Eventually, he moved into
management and has performed most roles at
the dealership level except for owning his own
franchise. Currently, he is the fleet manager at
Griffin Pavement Striping, belonging to the Frontline
Road Safety group of companies.
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September 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2023
