Johnson To Hot For Rustoleum Spray Paint?

mspring

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Oct 8, 2007
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As if I am not doing enough already I want to spray paint my Johnson 90hrs.
For the engine cowl I will probably use the same topside paint that I use on the hull, but for the lower cowl that the powerhead mounts to and the lower unit could I use regular rustoleum, after priming of course.
 

Gary H NC

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Re: Johnson To Hot For Rustoleum Spray Paint?

Yes you could but prepping the surface is the key if you want the paint to stay on.Anything below the waterline needs to be stripped clean,sprayed with Zinc Chromate primer then painted.If not the new paint will peel fast.
 

mspring

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Re: Johnson To Hot For Rustoleum Spray Paint?

Thanks Gary I saw that primer at Boaters World. What do you think about not using high heat paint? Can I get away with the regular spray?
 

mikesea

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Re: Johnson To Hot For Rustoleum Spray Paint?

I have used spray cans for many outboards.Any aluminum should be primed with zinc chromate ,as for high heat,you don't need high heat paint.But ,the Tempo paints that are sold for manufacturer color duplication do have greatcoverage .I have used the black for years on rebuilt powerheads ,never a problem,used white also.I dont know if other paints sold at hardware centers will go hand and hand with zinc chromate,and the zinc IS IMPORTANT.
 

mspring

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Re: Johnson To Hot For Rustoleum Spray Paint?

Thanks MIKESEA.

I already have the powerhead off and lower unit and midsection in parts so I should be able to sand it down with no problem. Do you usually sand between coats?
 

Gary H NC

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Re: Johnson To Hot For Rustoleum Spray Paint?

If i remember right i think it was Rustoleum i tried over the chromate primer one time and it orange peeled real bad.The paint was not compatible with the primer.
I use the Tempo engine paints now and they hold up great.They do sell the Johnson OEM white color too.
 

Gary H NC

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Re: Johnson To Hot For Rustoleum Spray Paint?

Thanks MIKESEA.

I already have the powerhead off and lower unit and midsection in parts so I should be able to sand it down with no problem. Do you usually sand between coats?

You don't sand the Chromate primer,it goes on in one very thin coat.
The way i painted mine with the Tempo was primer,2 coats of paint then the Tempo clear coat.I did not sand between coats but i guess it would be ok to do.
The Tempo paint is about 7 bucks a can but it does a great job.
 

mspring

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Re: Johnson To Hot For Rustoleum Spray Paint?

Thanks again Gary. Time for more sanding.
 

jay_merrill

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Dec 5, 2007
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Re: Johnson To Hot For Rustoleum Spray Paint?

If your engine is cooling properly, about all that should happen is that the paint will bake on to some degree. I just use engine paint on a powerhead if I want to paint it.

On the rest of the motor, I either use OMC paints or paint from a specialty supplier that I know of in Wisconsin. They are great because they will match and custom mix paints from any part that you send them. They also put it is spray cans for you so you don't have to use a spray gun. I know we aren't supposed to promote suppliers but if anyone wants their info, just pm me here at iboats. I have no economic interest in them but sure do like what they do.

I also bake the paint that I use on motors with quartz type shop lamps. This seems to work very well and I have a couple of motors that I painted this way years ago - the paint has held up very well. Probably the only unusual step that I take in doing this is to disassemble the motor first, strip the parts in a tank and then hang the parts on a rack before priming/painting.
 

Gary H NC

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Re: Johnson To Hot For Rustoleum Spray Paint?

No problem. I cheated on mine and used that Aircraft paint stripper on the mid section and lower...then pressure washed the paint off..;)
 
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