painting outdrive

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sw33ttooth

Chief Petty Officer
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Apr 24, 2011
Messages
498
i have a 91 cobra outdrive just wondering if any one has painted there outdrive, the original paint is half gone and peeling, i need new zinc anodes i think. this is how i bought it, shifts and drives great i just want it to look great.

thinking it would be easier to remove upper and lower to do it. if i need to remove the whole outdrive i would get a manual for sure but is that an hour project or? i also have access to a hi-lo and a hight adjustable rolling work bench.

i am not opposed to taping off the transom and painting it while its on any thoughts? if i remove the drive i would probably replace bellows and gimble, just so i dont have to do that in the fall or next year.

as far as paint goes do i need special paint that may stop this from happening again or a water resistant paint for submersable applications? or just peel the old crap off and use rustolium or automotive?

i have access to unlimited painting supplies, vented paint booth, commercial air compresser at 160 psi with a dozen differnt sprayers and tips.

i plan to get new zinc after i paint it so it doesnt happen again.
 
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Randy J

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Oct 24, 2009
Messages
170
Re: painting outdrive

just go to wal mart and get there cheap $.99 cans of primer and gloss or flat black paint tape off back end and get er done ! its good enough is what ive used for yrs.
 
paultjohnson

paultjohnson

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Re: painting outdrive

Randy J said:
just go to wal mart and get there cheap $.99 cans of primer and gloss or flat black paint tape off back end and get er done ! its good enough is what ive used for yrs.
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I would at least step up to Rustolium, It will adhere a little better [last longer] IMHO... I just sanded, painted my Alpha 1, then followed with a shot of clear coat. Made it all purdy...
 
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sw33ttooth

Chief Petty Officer
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Apr 24, 2011
Messages
498
Re: painting outdrive

thank you paultjohnson, glad to see that i am not the only one that hates to see a nasty looking outdrive even if i only see it when its on the trailer. i was thinking of going with a grey like volvo to match the grey just below the rubber or blue to match my blue stripe just above the rubber. thinking grey might be better as blue would put people off and make a scene at the ramp[oooohhhhh aaaahhh what type of outdrive is that!].
 
Joshua Nichols

Joshua Nichols

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1,431
Re: painting outdrive

I have never seen a Cobra that didn't have peeling paint...

I use a charcoal grey metallic in a rattle can... Rattle can some clear on... Still looks good...
 
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RichRab

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jun 10, 2010
Messages
249
Re: painting outdrive

Sounds like everyone is assuming the boat will not be in salt water at any time?
 
paultjohnson

paultjohnson

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Re: painting outdrive

RichRab said:
Sounds like everyone is assuming the boat will not be in salt water at any time?
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Is there alot of salt water in Michigan ?

If the paint peals, tell everyone the boat has to much power/speed to hold paint...
 
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sw33ttooth

Chief Petty Officer
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Apr 24, 2011
Messages
498
Re: painting outdrive

the only salt water it would see would be if i put the outdrive in a barrel of water then added salt just to ruin my cooling system and exhust. i am just glad i am not the only one that is going to do this.
 
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07caddy

Seaman
Joined
Jun 9, 2010
Messages
51
Re: painting outdrive

I need some paint as well and possibly a new anode? Painting is on my to-do list and are a bunch of other things with this boat!!!!!!!
 

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Donzi GT250

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Apr 22, 2011
Messages
110
Re: painting outdrive

Here is what I did this spring to paint my Cobra drive.
I bought some Mouller zinc chromate primer and some Mouller black outdrive paint.
I sanded the drive with 150 grit paper and cleaned with denatured alcohol.
Painted the bare metal spots with the zinc chromate and then painted the whole drive with the outdrive black.
It has been in lake Erie for two and a half months and is holding up great.
Also if you are running in fresh water such as the great lakes then it is advisable to use magnesium anodes and not zinc.
 
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07caddy

Seaman
Joined
Jun 9, 2010
Messages
51
Re: painting outdrive

Did you paint the drive while attached to your boat and just tape off the transom?
 
paultjohnson

paultjohnson

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Re: painting outdrive

Donzi GT250 said:
Also if you are running in fresh water such as the great lakes then it is advisable to use magnesium anodes and not zinc.
Click to expand...

Never heard of that :confused: How come ? i didn't even know there were options:eek::D
 
Lou C

Lou C

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Nov 10, 2002
Messages
11,856
Re: painting outdrive

paultjohnson said:
Never heard of that :confused: How come ? i didn't even know there were options:eek::D
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because zinc may not be electrically active enough in freshwater, magnesium is less noble and will protect a drive in fresh water better.

I did mine this spring too, used to have the yard do the anti-fouling but always had a barnacle farm by August, so this year I took on the job myself. Prepped the drive, put on 3 coats of Primocon under water primer and 2 coats of Trilux anti fouling paint. So far after 6 weeks in the water holding up well....Aluminum is difficult to paint at best, because it oxidizes so fast in the air....
 
paultjohnson

paultjohnson

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Re: painting outdrive

Lou C said:
because zinc may not be electrically active enough in freshwater, magnesium is less noble and will protect a drive in fresh water better.
Click to expand...
Wow... kool...Had no idea. Thanks for teaching me sumtn' today..;):):D:D:D
 
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Donzi GT250

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Apr 22, 2011
Messages
110
Re: painting outdrive

07caddy said:
Did you paint the drive while attached to your boat and just tape off the transom?
Click to expand...

Painted with drive attached.
I forgot to mention that after 2 coats of the mouller black I applied a couple coats of mouller clear coat.
So far happy with the results.
 
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sw33ttooth

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 24, 2011
Messages
498
Re: painting outdrive

Man, if started talking crap about mine, it would stall during that conversation or shortly thereafter..
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yahh,....i've driven a dump truck like that.

i am just glad i dont have to remove the outdrive to do this, i work 2nd shift and the boat is on my way to work, saturday the boat will be in the water till monday so i need to jump on this if i am doing it this week, to alow the paint to properly dry. 2-3 coats of paint and another 2 coats of clear coat, lots of work to do.

thanks for the magnesium refernce heading to the boat store now, i'll check iboats prices first incase there cheaper.
 
Lou C

Lou C

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Messages
11,856
Re: painting outdrive

One year the corrosion in my harbor was so bad, that the big Cobra zinc on the front end of the lower unit, flat out was GONE, with the 2 bolts that held it on! Usually they are about 1/2 shot by the end of our six month season. Salt water is a whole new world, from a corrosion perspective, but fresh water can be very corrosive too, if it has a lot of dissolved minerals in it or you are in a marina with boats with electrical leaks....
 
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