Skeg/Gear Housing Painting

[bryanredfish]

I tried painting my skeg and gear housing last week. I used Merc paint, and the proper primer. Sanded lightly, used acetone to clean the aluminum. Yesterday, after a nice day of fishing, the paint is already starting to come off. Any ideas as to how I can get it to "take"?<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Skeg/Gear Housing Painting

try washing down with vinegar after sanding.<br />did you use primer?

 

[bryanredfish]

Re: Skeg/Gear Housing Painting

Yes, I used the zink chromate (I think that's what it is) primer. I'll try the vinegar, although I thought acetone should've done the job.

 

[BrianFD]

Re: Skeg/Gear Housing Painting

bryanredfish,<br />After plowing bottom with my outdrive (mud, no rocks, etc.) I took most of the paint off my skeg, too. Using all those tricks, I never could get paint to stick. Ended up getting a ss skeg gard (well, actually, a good bud of mine gave it to me...).<br />Good Luck!<br />Happy Boating!<br />Brian

 

[bubbakat]

Re: Skeg/Gear Housing Painting

If you are going to repaint it again let the primer cure for at least 48 hrs before painting.<br />zinkcromate paint is old school for rusty things. Do as the other post says clean with vinegar and water let dry then spray it with self etching primer and let cure. That stuff is made for alum.<br /> I know the can will say will cure in x amount of hrs. but let it cure for at least 3 days then light sand apply paint.

 

[bryanredfish]

Re: Skeg/Gear Housing Painting

After reading this last post, I probably didn't allow enough drying time. I thought that a day of baking in the South Louisiana sun would do it, but maybe not. I'll give it a shot again. If it doesn't work, I'll shop for a skeg guard. Thanks for the help.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Skeg/Gear Housing Painting

Most of the self etching primers in rattle cans have a painting window of zero...<br /><br />I have had excellent results with SEM Self Etching Primer, Aerosol. It has a painting window of 24 -36 hours. If you don't paint within that time frame, you have to sand then paint.

 

[bubbakat]

Re: Skeg/Gear Housing Painting

xcuseme you are absolutely right on the paint window for the aerosol<br />bryan I am sorry for the miss info and thanks to xcuseme for catching it.