Paint? Primer? Process of painting O/B? Advice?

bigbluebirdy

Seaman
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
60
Hi folks,<br /><br />About to start repainting my 1985 Mercury Black Max 150hp. Wondering if anybody had any good advice as to the steps I should take in doing this. Should I strip it, prime it, and if so what is a good primer and stripper? Already have Mercury O/B spray paint. I don't need it to look like it came out of the showroom, but would like it to look as nice as possible. It has a lot of areas where the paint is just gone, and you can see the metal. It runs like champ, and I'd like to make it feel beautiful too. <br />Any suggestions?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Chris
 

Hooty

Rear Admiral
Joined
Oct 2, 2001
Messages
4,496
Re: Paint? Primer? Process of painting O/B? Advice?

Yo Chris,<br />I'd lightly wet sand the whole thing with 400-600 grit just to clean it up and give the new paint something to get ahold of. Wet sanding keeps the paper from filling up. Feather in the areas that are bare metal and primer them, then give the whole thing a couple of coats of the black.<br />Remember, two light coats are a lot better then one heavy coat. Give it a week to dry / cure and then buff out. Oughta look new.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
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May 19, 2001
Messages
26,053
Re: Paint? Primer? Process of painting O/B? Advice?

YAAAAHHHHHOOOO another VT person :D <br /><br />If you test paint a differant piece of metal like a coffee can then you can use the can as a test bed for clear coat paint. A good coat (or two)of clear will really enhance it.<br /><br />AND if you are considering repropping your 150 I have a friend in Rutland that has a 4 blade and a 5 blade left over from our bass boat days.<br />email me at rpf924@stowetel.com<br /><br />Bob_VT :cool:
 

Pursuit2150

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 3, 2001
Messages
553
Re: Paint? Primer? Process of painting O/B? Advice?

The primer to use is Zinc-Chromate.
 

bigbluebirdy

Seaman
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
60
Re: Paint? Primer? Process of painting O/B? Advice?

Hey,<br /><br />Thanks guys for the quick responses and good advice. I'm glad to know it won't take too much to get it looking real nice. <br /><br />BobVT - thanks for the prop info. but I just barely purchased a new one this spring. I'll keep it in mind though. :) <br /><br />BTW- I'm sure you, as well as myself, can't wait for it to warm up here, and at least STOP SNOWING!!! :mad: so we can get the boats in the water and the fishing season underway. I keep my boat moored in Mallett's Bay and it's going in as soon as the water temp hits 42 degrees!!! :eek: I bet some of the folks on this board read that and shiver. ;) <br /><br />Thanks again everybody, and if anyone else has any o/b painting advice I'd love to hear it.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Chris
 

bigbluebirdy

Seaman
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
60
Re: Paint? Primer? Process of painting O/B? Advice?

Oh,<br /><br />BobVT - meant to ask, what sort of clear coat are you speaking of? Is it specifically for marine applications?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Chris
 

Franki

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 16, 2002
Messages
1,059
Re: Paint? Primer? Process of painting O/B? Advice?

when I did mine, I started with a rotary wire brush in my drill... got rid of anything lose..<br /><br />then I sanded it by hand, or orbital till all edges were feathered. (took ages)<br /><br />Then I got some zinc based "ETCH" primer and give it a hit with that, then I put a test coat on, (very thin coat designed to show inperfections)<br /><br />sanded out all the inperfections, gave it another thin coat of etch primer, let that dry..<br /><br />Then I did seven coats of brilliant white acrylic lacqurer (its a johnson) with a quick sand with fine grit between each coat..<br /><br />I have yet to do the clear coat... in another month or so, I will give it its final cut before the clear coat. and that should do it..<br /><br />I also added a new anode to slow down the corrosion.<br /><br />hope thats of some help.<br /><br />regards<br /><br />Frank
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
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May 19, 2001
Messages
26,053
Re: Paint? Primer? Process of painting O/B? Advice?

Some clear coats have a time limit to be applied over a finish. That is why I suggested that you do a compatability test. Yes I am speaking of automotive clear coat (such as PPG or MTK brand) applied with a spray gun. Considering the size of the motor a small spray gun will work fine.<br /><br />Chris :D eat your heart out! I was in Lake Bomoseen most of last week! Some people were actually in the water :eek: Yes, warmer weather would be better. Be careful your first time out due to the high Spring water...it has dragged ALL the branches and junk with it from the rivers and streams.<br /><br />Any problems just e-mail me. <br /><br />Bob :cool:
 
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