What paint will stick to a outdrive and not peel off when it is in the water being used? I have had a couple of good painters spray my lower unit after stripping it down to nothing and they have all peeled when I use them the first time.
When Mercury paints them they hold up, What is the difference?

Thanks in advance,
Mike

I painted mine with PPG DVLP (?) primer and Concept (DCC9000) paint. It's been in the water 4 or 5 times now including sitting in the water for 3 days straight and looks great. It took some time for prep work and a compressor and spray gun, and even though it was the first time I'd tackled painting anything like that, I couldn't be happier with the result.

I've always had good luck with high-temp black engine enamel. There are prior threads on this topic ... try a search.

Go to Mercury web page. Look under Mercvruiser, then go to FEQ, They tell you exactly how to do it

Rustoleum primer and gloss black has worked very well for me. The blacks are a slightly different color so I stop at an edge and is not noticable. I typically boat in shallow water and/or pull up to sand bars frequently so mine gets painted at least twice per season.

Too Old,
Have you used this and if so how has it held up for you?

proper prep
proper primer
proper prepsol wipe
good 2 part polyurethane (Nason good stuff).

proper prep
proper primer
proper prepsol wipe
And Merc paint. I've done mine a few times after a sandbar and ZERO problems. It does stick fine - never peels.

From Mercruiser's web site....

Refinishing procedure:

This procedure should be used in refinishing MerCruiser sterndrives and transom plates. This procedure will provide the most durable paint system available in the field. The listed materials should be purchased from a local DITZLER AUTOMOTIVE finish supply outlet. The minimum packaged quantity of each material shown is sufficient to refinish several sterndrives and transom assemblies.

1 QT. DX-533 Alumiprep #33 metal preparation
1 QT. DX-503 Alodine #1201 conversion coating
1 QT. DP-40 Non sanding Epoxy Primer zinc chromate primer
1 QT. DP-401 Catalyst for DP-40
1 QT. DAR-9000 Acrylic Enamel-black topcoat
1 Pt. DXR-80 Delthane Ultra-additive for acrylic enamel
1 QT. DTR-602 Acrylic Enamel Reducer-temperature range 70-90 degree F.

PROCEDURE:

1. Scuff sand to remove all blistered paint and roughen factory finish. Remove sanding dust.
2. Follow manufacturer's recommendations and instructions on the individual containers.
3. Apply DX-533 (Alumiprep #33) to clean and condition the aluminum.
4. Apply DX-503 (Alodine #1201) brush on chemical conversion coating for aluminum.
5. The DP-40 (Epoxy Chromate Primer) mixed with DP-401 Catalyst can now be applied. A .75 mil film build is recommended.
NOTE: Allow 30 minute induction period for permeation of the epoxy chromate primer and the catalyst prior to application.
6. The topcoat consists of DAR-9000 Acrylic Enamel Black and the DXR-80 Delthane Ultra additive, and DTR-602 Reducer. It is a polyurethane acrylic enamel system which provides fast drying, durability, high resistance to corrosion and good color and gloss retention.
7. The type of spray gun used will determine the proper reduction ratio IMPORTANT: DO NOT use any type of aerosol spray paints, as the paint will not properly adhere to the surface, nor will the coating be sufficiently thick to resist future paint blistering.
NOTE: DO NOT PAINT SACRIFICIAL ANODES.

I have used PPG DP-40 And Durethane with excellent results.