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Painting an outboard
Texas Captain	#1  Posted on 01/03/08 - 12:23 PM
Member Posts: 32 Comments: 0 Joined: 12/15/07	I would like to re-paint my blue Evinrude this winter and would like to do it right. Any tips for keeping the paint on the lower unit. I know I can buy Evinrude paint to match but not sure on the procedure. Thanks
Joe Kriz	#2  Posted on 01/03/08 - 12:50 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	It depends on how bad the paint is on your engine. If you have any bare spots, these should be sanded and primed and then painted. Myself, I sand everything lightly to flair out the chips trying not to get to bare metal. Then I just use Evinrudes matching paint in spray cans. For large jobs, you can buy Evinrude paint in quarts, etc... I have had excellent results with the spray cans and I don't want to take the time and trouble to get out the spray gun and make a mess. Edited by Joe Kriz on 01/03/08 - 1:34 PM
Bob Younger	#3  Posted on 01/03/08 - 1:20 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 136 Comments: 2 Joined: 06/22/07	For those older Johnsons and Evinrudes where you can not get matching paint from a dealer try nymarine.ca Great site and great paint/advice
jlh49	#4  Posted on 01/03/08 - 4:07 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 92 Comments: 1 Joined: 02/25/07	If you do sand down to the bare aluminum, be sure to use an etching liquid to clean and etch the surface prior to painting. I used Aluminum Prep the last time I painted my outboard lower unit and the new paint bonded nicely. I purchased it from an automobile repair shop. I used Zinc Chromate on the bare aluminum, followed with a coat of red oxide, and then the final OMC coat. Be sure to lightly sand between coats with about a 220 grit sandpaper. Use a good cleaner (e.g. acetone) to remove any sanding residue prior to painting. Good luck! Jack Harley 1989 Outrage 22' 2005 Yamaha F150
jaemrich	#5  Posted on 01/03/08 - 4:46 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 61 Comments: 1 Joined: 04/02/07	Along this same line of questioning - is there any downside to leaving the engine unpainted? the skeg is bare and there are few corrosion spots on the lower unit and around the exhaust ports the paint is worn away. the engine is 23 years old and painting doesn't make much sense but it has to last me a few more years before the Mrs. will let me "invest" in a new(er) outboard. thanks JE
todd12	#6  Posted on 01/03/08 - 5:01 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 220 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/27/06	JE, I think what your trying to accomplish is strickly cosmetic. I don't believe that will extend the life of the motor any measurable amount. Hope this helps. Edited by todd12 on 01/03/08 - 5:03 PM
Binkie	#7  Posted on 01/05/08 - 4:26 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 2012 Comments: 0 Joined: 12/19/05	I use paint remover and strip off the old paint. Some engines you can strip to the bare aluminum and start fresh, but with most its almost impossable to remove the zinc chromite primer. Not a problem though as you will need to prime with zinc chromite, before painting with top coat. Stripping process takes about an hour, and usually about two or three coats of stripper to get all the paint off. Use an electric pressure washer about 1800psi. A big gas powered pressure washer may be too powerful, and may damage rubber parts. Stripper is available at Auto parts stores, and is made for stripping paint from aluminum. Rich http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c19...pping7.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c19...pping6.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c19...pping5.jpg [url[http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c191/floridaboy2053/Whaler%20repair/paintstripping4.jpg[/url] [url[http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c191/floridaboy2053/Whaler%20repair/paintstripping8.jpg[/url] Rich
Binkie	#8  Posted on 01/05/08 - 4:31 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 2012 Comments: 0 Joined: 12/19/05	I use paint remover and strip off the old paint. Some engines you can strip to the bare aluminum and start fresh, but with most its almost impossable to remove the zinc chromite primer. Not a problem though as you will need to prime with zinc chromite, before painting with top coat. Stripping process takes about an hour, and usually about two or three coats of stripper to get all the paint off. Use an electric pressure washer about 1800psi. A big gas powered pressure washer may be too powerful, and may damage rubber parts. Stripper is available at Auto parts stores, and is made for stripping paint from aluminum. Rich http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c19...pping7.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c19...pping6.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c19...pping5.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c19...pping4.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c19...pping8.jpg Rich