Anti Fouling Paint for Outdrive

VisionIsle

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Feb 10, 2006
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98
The outdrive on my 1977 Carver Santa Cruz is a Volvo Penta 280.
Does this outdrive require painting ? (I am having it hauled to paint the bottom soon). The boatyard wants $450.00 and up to do this service and they do not remove it from the boat. So it is masked and sanded then painted. How well can they protect it and is it worth it or even necessary. The Zincs are changed regularily.

I appreciate your input.
 

crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
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May 22, 2003
Messages
5,352
Re: Anti Fouling Paint for Outdrive

If you boat in waters that require bottom painting then you surely need to af paint the drive.l
 

VisionIsle

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Feb 10, 2006
Messages
98
Re: Anti Fouling Paint for Outdrive

It looks like the original paint, or do they try to match the color. I have no records on the outdrive being painted before. If so, is it the usual 3 years or less time frame?
 

f_inscreenname

Commander
Joined
Aug 23, 2001
Messages
2,591
Re: Anti Fouling Paint for Outdrive

If nothing is on it them leave it alone. Well repaint it because it should be. If it is fouled up you might as well paint it with the bottom paint. Just don't paint the zincs.
 

lilmandavis

Chief Petty Officer
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Mar 9, 2006
Messages
618
Re: Anti Fouling Paint for Outdrive

is it true that bottom paint doesnt mix well with bare steel or aluminum. it must be primed with special stuff before the bottom paint hits it or the outdrive will become the zincs!! youll get major corrosion between the copper and aluminum.
 

xtraham

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Jul 20, 2006
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Re: Anti Fouling Paint for Outdrive

there is a special paint for outdrives (aluminum) the coppious in bottom paint will turn your drive into a under water battery, I have seen them come out of the water and look like they were bleeding puss from copper paint
 

crawdadric

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Nov 29, 2005
Messages
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Re: Anti Fouling Paint for Outdrive

xtraham is right. I've seen the special anti-fouling paint in a spray can at West Marine. There is also a special outdrive primer in a spray can. If you have bare aluminum, you need to prep the area and use the primer then the anti-fouling spray.
 

stevieray

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Jul 18, 2006
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1,135
Re: Anti Fouling Paint for Outdrive

VisionIsle, Whether to use antifoulant on the drive really depends on what shape it's in & how clean you can keep it. I have mine painted with the factory (Merc) black & no antifoulant. I keep it in the water & the bottom is painted, but I use it once or twice a week & can get into shallow water to brush off what little growth builds up regularly so it stays pretty clean. If you want to "set it & forget it", use the antifoulant that is specifically for drives, but not bottom paint. If you want to do it yourself, it requires a lot of hand sanding & masking - figure on a good 6-8 hrs work (that explains the high cost from the yard) plus about 3 cans each of the primer, factory color & clear antifoulant.
 

Scaaty

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May 31, 2004
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5,180
Re: Anti Fouling Paint for Outdrive

$40 at any boat shop. Primer and paint...Trilux. Do it yourself
 

am_dew

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 3, 2005
Messages
417
Re: Anti Fouling Paint for Outdrive

Just curious...is the need to re-paint your outdrive just something that salt water going boats need? Reason I ask is because the V/P 270 outdrive on my boat, which has only seen saltwater a few times in it's 34 year old life, is in remarkably good condition with just a few small areas where the paint has come off. My boat is also almost always on the trailer and has also never spent more than a couple weeks in the water at one time.
 

stevieray

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Jul 18, 2006
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Re: Anti Fouling Paint for Outdrive

am dew - if you keep it trailered a good percent of the time & it still looks OK, you may never have to paint it completely. I would recommend touching up any bare spots. Any serious corrosion issues would be obvious (paint severely bubbled & flaking off with white "powdery" oxidation poking thru). If yours looks as good as you say, you most likely have no problems. I like to keep mine nice & shiny so I re-do it every few seasons8)
 

am_dew

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 3, 2005
Messages
417
Re: Anti Fouling Paint for Outdrive

Thanks Stevieray. So, and sorry for being ignorant here, but the real practical purpose of repainting is to stop corrosion? I will check it closer but I think my drive is in pretty good shape.
 

stevieray

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 18, 2006
Messages
1,135
Re: Anti Fouling Paint for Outdrive

That's about it.....and for looks.;)
 

VisionIsle

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Feb 10, 2006
Messages
98
Re: Anti Fouling Paint for Outdrive

Well I must say that is enough information to go on. I appreciate everyones input on the subject. I guess what left is to have the boat hauled and see its condition for myself. Thanks!
 
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