I think my hatch ram and motor case is made of aluminum. The thing is the motor case will not take enamel paint even after sanding and cleaning. What's up with that??? Does it require a special paint. I also would like to know if the rams shafts are aluminum. I steel wool polished it to a nice luster but wonder if it will pit under the hatch. I don't live in a salt water area. Thanks for any help!!!

If your rams are not painted originally, stainless. If painted and a magnet won't stick, aluminum or aluminum alloy. If rusted and magnet sticks, steel or iron. Aluminum needs cleaning, sanding, and aluminum metal prep before zinc chromate primer and a good polyurethane paint. G$

Many time motors and similar housing are made of alloys, these mixed metals are often as a result of there low cost or easy to form properties. It is unlikely that these combined metal properties will improve corrosion resistance of the part.. Surface prep is everything, stay away from single component alkyd paints under the hatch, alkyds fail quickly when wet or in a sweating enviorment. Read the labels carefully and select an epoxy primer to protect the metal. If you are ok with the color of epoxy you can stop there, if not top coat with a polyurethane. Top coating of epoxy is only required if you have direct UV exposure or you need to modify the color. Boat US / West Marine etc... will have all these products.

Stay away from spray cans that say "epoxy".........read the label on the side and it will clearly say alkyd or modified with epoxy ester.

A self etching primer will help some too.

PPG DP 40 or DP90 will provide excellent adhesion properties if properly applied as well as a good base for additonal topcoats. Just remember that product compatability is important to acheive good results. Choose a quality product line and stick with it. The marine environment is harsh and the cheap materials won`t cut it.

Rodger1 said it best, quality products and product compatibility ! The term "self Etching primer" is used often in these post - Most paints are Ph adjusted to the slightly acidic side. So my the very nature of many solvent based paint they are "self etching"........don't be fooled and let this feature lte you drop your guard down on surfaces prep. Self etching materials work great when cost of surface prep is not in the budget, steel electrical cabinets, sheet metal etc.... the more important ingredient to look for is "epoxy" polaymide" or "amine" a little bit of acidity advertised in paint in paint is a great selling tool and not a feature to live by.

Thanks everyone for the advice will use it!!!!!!!