Repainting outdrives
 

Can someone post the best process and paints to use to repaint my lowers?
Had a couple chips filled in over the winter and the paint is now blowing off :(
I need to do just the skeg part. Hope to be able to do it on the boat?
Not sure what they used but it is peeling real easy.

Thanks

Your boat is just so fast that paint won't stay on:D

I wish :)

It might just be too fast for CHEAP paint :(

Guess he skimped a little. Either that or he did not sand it very well. The gray is still there but looks awfully smmmooooooottthhh
??

Guess I should just order up some Merc otdrive paint at $$$ bucks a can :( and get it over with. I do have some 600 wet paper to give a good adherance surface I hope.

MnFastBoat. Try the 600 (or even 400), then put on multiple coats. Put the first one on light, and next a bit heavier. See if you can go at least 4x in total. Make the final "wet" if possible without runs. Try to do them all within 1hr. (like you mentioned, if the prep work was not done right that would do it.......but also, if it was just shot 1x heavy, it only takes one area to start and it will all come off).

Actually, I like the Mercury Phantom Black that they sell, as it comes out of the can in a nice fan pattern and lays out quite well.

Good luck.

Bob

The best is to use epoxy paint.It is a little expensive,but looks great and takes a beating.As long as you dont drag it thru sand or something. That is what the local prop shop uses here.

Th Phantom Black is nice too.....but make sure you are prepped good

Sandblast them clean. Use a good etching primer to give a solid base for the Imron paint. It wil last like nothing else and will not fade in the sun or have any chaulky residue from heat. It is work but worth it. I had a guy do it for $600 for two drives. I did the sandblasting at a local place that lets you do it yourself. Duct tape everything and it will stand up to the blasting. It is kind of fun to do it and takes little experience. I brought some painted metal with me and practiced for a few minutes and then went at it.

I have done several lower units (on fast boats) with great results.

1. Wet sand entire unit w/400 grit paper. Put soap (any car wash soap) in the water for sanding. Feather out all paint imperfections.
2. If any gouges in the aluminum, fill with epoxy (Like marine-tex)
3. Sand any repairs smooth using 400 grit for final sand
4. Use scotchbrite pad to scuff any areas you can't get with paper.
5. Degrease using Dupont 3812
6. Prime all bare spots with acid etching primer (dupont variprime or Sherwin Williams Vinyl etch wash primer). Apply several coats
7. Scuff w/400 paper (dry)
8. Paint with Dupont Centari or better yet, Imron.

All the ones I have done were done with Centari (acrylic enamel)and none peeled/bubbled/dulled after 3-4 years service. Fresh water boats, 70-80 mph though.

Its a lot of work but they look great!

Good luck!

Paul

thanks people
will be doing this on friday :(