Painting Lower Unit.

[msbhammer]

Working through the light rain here taking off all that old Merc. paint that is all cracked. Have Merc. paint, but wondering if a normal automotive primer will be fine. ???

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC02548.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC02549.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC02550.jpg

[charlie_the_tuna]

hamster, i would try to locate a high-zinc primer.

[msbhammer]

Was hoping to use just some auto primer, I know if I go to West Marine, a can of primer is tripled in price. :(

[charlie_the_tuna]

probably wont be so bad if its not left in water.
i think that applies more to boats left in the water.

[pikfish]

Hammer's painting again??? Yea, experimenting with paint compatability is a great idea!

[reelapeelin]

I agree w/ CTT's 1st suggestion about the hi-zinc primer...spend a little more now and ya won't have to do it again next year ;) ...


Are there screens inside the intake vents?...make sure those don't clog up w paint...matter of fact, I'd tape each screen B4 painting...and I AIN'T kiddin' about that ;) ...

[msbhammer]

Pikfish, yes, painting again >:(, but spray painting. Brings back memories of my juvenile days. ;D
Heavy down pour, no more work for now.
Thanks REEL, I'll cover those vents up with tape.
Just off the phone with West Marine, they carry a high zinc primer. 16 bucks a can. Guess that isnt to bad.

[Geekie1]

Hammer,

I am painting my engine also. Any areas that are down to bare aluminum need to be primed with a self etching primer such as zinc chromate. (yellow/green) I just bought a grey self etching primer for aluminum at a auto paint store which was only about $8.00 a can. If you use the zinc chromate, you only put down a very light coat for best results. If you don't use a self etching primer your paint will not stick properly and you will be painting again shortly. I hope this helps!

Geek

[kamikaze]

Hammer:

Take Geekie1 advice. Zinc chroamtic is a pain to shoot with a spray gun and you won't be happy with the finish if its applied wrong. Although I have had better luck with pre-package spray cans, I can never get it to shoot from a gun without "stringing up" on me and making a big mess - immediatley followed by lots of sanding.

Given the price and the difficulties of spraying it, I don't think its worth it on a engine that will be trailered. Use a automotive self etching primer and you'll be fine.


Kamikaze

[macojoe]

Thing looked fine till you started messing with it! ;)

Can't wait to paint my motor, NOT!

[msbhammer]

Ok guys, this is the primer I got. Zinc Chromate Primer.
Is this the right stuff *??? So whats etching primer ???, primer that can be lightly sanded ??

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC02554.jpg

[msbhammer]

So is this a self etching primer ?? ??? ??? ??? ???

[msbhammer]

MJ, had to paint the lower unit to hide the damage from hitting that Shamrock the other day. :-X ;D

[lumberslinger178]

Hammer the picture on the can sells me ... you got the rite stuff ,,,, paint away brother ;D ;D ;D

oh and make sure you get the black paint off the shamrock.... lol

[macojoe]

If you left it alone, no one would notice the damage the next time! ;) ;D

[msbhammer]

Thanks guys ;D

[kamikaze]

Hey wait just a minute Hammer:

Doesn't the first line towards the bottom of the can
say For Professional Use Only

I'd stop right there before you get yourself in trouble with the law ;D

Kamikaze

[msbhammer]

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[pk]

One other suggestion, if you haven't planned on it yet; use a good grease & wax remover just before you paint. Get lots of clean rags and wipe it all down to get rid of anything left from the cleaning/sanding process. My outdrive is pretty nasty looking. I may takcle this one after my wiring job. Good luck.

[macojoe]

AZ has some good stuff called metal prep for just that!!

[msbhammer]

off Monday and Tuesday, so hopefully I'll getter done. Thats if it doesnt rain. ;D

[msbhammer]

Well I painted teh lower unit and not happy with it at all. It does look better than all that cracked paint. But I wish I could have stripped all the paint down. I used the Zinc primer then two additional thick coats of primer and you could see where the old paint is and the grinding marks all. Well, I like I said. I HATE PAINTING !!

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC02559.jpg

Crap !!.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC02560.jpg

Well, if we ever get 10 ft. snow drifts in Lewes, you will never be able to see it.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC02561.jpg

Guess I'll be repainting it next year. Then maybe I'll have time to strip it all down.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC02562.jpg

[Stillrunning]

See you can't see any of those flaws in the paint what so ever.

[reelapeelin]

Great job Hammer!!...I think yer gonna be amazed at how long that'll last ;) ...

[macojoe]

I told you to leave it alone!! ;)

Who cares what it looks like, you only see the top in the water anyway!! and fish don't care!!

Mine looks worse then that!! I could careless!! It runs!

[msbhammer]

Thanks guys. ;)

[parishht]

Looks good. ;) ;)

Maybe you should have left it orange,
the flaws don't show as much. :-X

[msbhammer]

Well, I went ahead and painted up the engine cover. Wish I had some new decals to go along with it.
It looks great with the green and yellow polin mixed in with the paint *>:(
I was waiting on the sand storm next to roll on through while painting. I hate Painting !!

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC02565.jpg

Think I could be a great used car saleman one day. ;D
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC02570.jpg

[macojoe]

For someone that hates painting, you sure do a lot of it!! ;)