Flaking paint & corrosion

[smudge]

Gidday from New Zealand.<br />I have a Mercury 50HP 1992 (3 cyl) and I am replacing the impeller. The motor has been used in saltwater only. I noticed the paint inside the lower leg ( I dont know if my terminology is right here) above where the water pump sits was all flaking. I scraped away an area the about half the size of my hand and the aluminium is corroded underneath the paint of course. Is this normal for a motor this age, is it something to worry about? What should I do for a repair?<br />Thanks for your help.

 

[corm]

Re: Flaking paint & corrosion

Hi,<br />It is normal for Al. to corroud like that after 11 yrs. I would clean it all off and recoat it with primer and paint. Just for my own peace of mind.

 

[smudge]

Re: Flaking paint & corrosion

Thanks Corm.<br />Should I be using any particular paint such as PA10 or whatever? I also see the steel bracket that the steering arm attaches to is quite rusty. Are rust neutralisers the way to go?

 

[corm]

Re: Flaking paint & corrosion

Hi,<br />I don't know pa10 but zink chromate is great so if it is similar go for it. Rust neutralizers make a phosphate deposit which will hold oil<br />like on guns or will hold paint also. I kind of like to sandblast and repaint things but I have the equipment. You may want to pull the sterring cable out of the tube and grease it as it is a water trap. Make sure the tilt tube that it goes through is rust free for easy steering.

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Flaking paint & corrosion

Check your Zinc anode or trim tab(must be left unpainted)and refer here for correct finishing.<br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=29;t=008607

 

[smudge]

Re: Flaking paint & corrosion

Thanks for your help Corm and Unicorn. I wont be painting the zinc.