Repainting the outdrive

[IUalum]

I am getting ready to repaint my Alpha 1 outdrive. I have googled and read just about every source around and am confused as to the best way to do it.

Has anyone here done this? If I do go with the mercruiser pahntom black spray paint, how many cans of primer and paint will it take?

Here's the latest link that I plan to follow. If anyone has any other advice. I'd love to hear it.

http://www.mercstuff.com/painting.htm

Here's a pic of my outdrive

 

[TLB]

sanding and proper prep is the key for a lasting job.

If you use the Imrom like they suggest make sure that you cover everything up so the overspray doesn't get on it, that paint sticks to everything.

 

[groucho]

I can't tell how badly your unit is pitted but I have re-painted at least a 100 Merc's in the last 15 years and I know that your's can't be worse than any one of them.
You should try to take an orbital sander w/ 180 grit to that drive and clean it up as much as possible. Remove the trim cylinders and sand them separately if you really want a clean looking, pro job. Use primer, spot putty, whatever. It will clean up from I can see.

The main thing for me is to try to get everything as close to an original surface as possible before I try to re-paint it. What I mean here is cleaned, sanded, filled, and primed w/whatever it takes to make my new final new " Black Painting " surface as perfect as possible. You can do it w/spray cans. ( And I have used both Merc paint and Tempo)
You need to know how to be able to first have it primed and then when working your finish coats be able to keep going over it and "Keep it Wet". That means showing no over-spray or no over-lapping strokes. If you've done spray-painting w/a can you know exactly what I'm talking about. You can make this drive come out looking like a factory job w/just a little bit of patience,time, and some elbow grease.

I'll be happy to answer any questions you have...

 

[ezstriper]

prep like said before, zinc chromite primer the way to go, I use rustoleum paint seems to work great..Rob

 

[IUalum]

Thanks very much for the input.

I have sent a PM to groucho for more details.

I am ordering paint this week and will post pics in the next few weeks as I do the work.

Stay tuned.

 

[TLB]

I am ordering paint this week and will post pics in the next few weeks as I do the work.

Stay tuned.

so how is it going, any photo's?

 

[IUalum]

I am starting that project next week.

I have had the boat for about a week and have spent the entire time removing vinyl pinstriping that is 10 years old and stretches about 8 inches wide above and below the rub rail that goes all the way around the boat! Lots of hair dryer hours and pulling, plastic putty knife pushing.

I'll post pics this weekend as I am moving on to aqua buffing on my other restoration thread.

The outdrive starts next week when the hull is buffed, waxed and new decals Mike sent me applied.

I have the sanpaper and a wire brush, marine-tex to fill the pits, Zinc chromate primer, Mercury phantom black paint, new decals and some Mercury clear coat to cover the decals. Should look good. I'll post those pics here.

 

[Blizz]

Zinc chromate primer is not a good primer for underwater use. Especially on aluminum, they quit using on the exterior of a/c long before the EPA told them they shouldn't use it as it lets water in and will corrode. Just use a good etching primer that's compatable with your choice of paint. If you want to do everything see if you can find alodine to prep prior to paint but it's a fairly hazardous chemical.

 

[IUalum]

Thanks Blizz. I thought it was Zinc Chromate, it's actually Zinc Phosphate.

 

[Blizz]