No need for a new one JB Weld should take care of that or a can of Flex Seal

New one on the way, if you have time to do it , then you have time to do it RIGHT. All other parts alodined and primed. They will go to the paint booth for awlgrip next, so they can be baked.

I like your thinking "if you have time to do it you have time to do it right" wish more people could think like you.

wish my 17 king ranch paint shined that nice great work

Can you tell me your process?
1. blast (with what media)
2. sand?
3. Prime - with what?
4. Surface coating - awlgrip? or, ? (powdercoat?)

I thought these drives were powder coated? I had some trim tabs powdercoated and they did not come out well.

We had no longetivity from Powdercoat.
Dismantle everything, a lot of Special tools needed, some we make, some we buy from Mercury.
Acetylene torch sometimes needed to get the pins out. Slidehammer or pin remover
Wash everything with degreaser. Tape up drive pivot pin holes, no blasting in there.
Media blast with used sand to get most of the paint off,then switch to walnut shells to finish up, they leave the surface very nice.
Next the very nice surface goes away:(, we use 3M alodine treatment, step 1 spray all parts with part A, an acid that removes all debris we can not see in the porous metal. Walnut shell, dust, etc. do not let it dry, rinse it off well. Blow dry. Part B is then applied, don not let it dry, the metal will turn golden color. Rinse well. Blow dry. The alodine coating now needs primed within 3 hours.
We use Awlgrip primer. 545, the sand it the next day, and reprime if needed.
We use Awlgrip Super Jet Black to cover, with emphasis on cover, before look good. Sometimes I let it dry 2 days , sand, and re coat for pretty.
Don't forget to call Stickerboy, (Kinetic Animation), for new M6 decals.
All this works great...... if you don't go to Key West Races for a week in the salt. We get about 2-3 years out of the paint, we always are in Salt Water, except for the Cig Rondevous:) see ya there.

Mine is ready, except for a gear ratio change before LOTO.

ZP, thanks for the awesome write-up!

Glad I didn't do anything before I saw this. Not gonna happen this year, but for certain, next year.

Well this might not be the absolute best way, but it lasts for us the longest in Florida.

Dr ZP at work, in the booth.