How To Paint A Boat Outdrive
When painting an aluminum outdrive, the most important thing to remember is that paint and aluminum are a lot like oil and water, they do not mix well. This means that, like all paint jobs, the prep work is the key to success. If your outdrive has the original paint, it must be removed. A good degreaser should be used prior to paint removal to make the process go smoother. There are several paint strippers available from automotive or aviation paint suppliers. It is important to remember to protect the seals and bearing on the outdrive when using strippers. Plastic bead blasting may be available at a machine shop or aircraft painting facility. The pitot tube must be covered while bead blasting to keep it from being fouled. If you are in a remote area without access to chemical or mechanical means of removing paint, sanding with aluminum oxide sand paper is an option. Do not use steel wool or steel brushes of any type to prep the surface as they will leave minute traces of iron in the aluminum case. Avoid using soda blasting as that will doom the etching process, your next step, to failure. Your goal in this first step is to get the aluminum drive down to bare metal. The final outcome of your paint job will be determined primarily by this phase of the job. You are now ready to begin etching. The etching process uses acids or bases to remove aluminum “rust” and other contaminants from the newly cleaned surface. When using these products it is very important to follow the directions and use all safety precautions as they are strong chemicals. Work with your paint supplier to be sure the etching chemicals are for use on aluminum. Automotive, aviation or marine stores should be able to supply you with a good product. This is a rather short process that normally ends with a good rinsing of the drive. You will now have a bright but not shiny finish. The next step is the true key to painting aluminum. Oddly enough, neither bare or etched aluminum will take paint. There is a product however, ALODINE, that adheres like crazy to both. That makes it the perfect “primer”. Alodine can be found in paint stores or on-line. If any areas repel the alodine you have to re-prep that area. This coat will be allowed to air dry. When finished you will have a slight golden finish to your aluminum. You are now ready to apply paint. You will have many choices when picking your paint. It is important to have a primer and topcoat that are compatible. I prefer two part epoxy polyurethane coatings as they are strong, durable and not prone to cracking like a harder paint. Three coats of primer are recommended, and two coats of topcoat. Follow the manufacturers directions for spraying or brushing to get the required thickness of paint. After you have worked this hard to get a beautiful shiny drive, you may now want to put on a coat of anti-fouling paint. Be sure to steer clear of any anti-fouling paints that contain copper. Mixing an aluminum drive and copper paint makes your outdrive into a battery that may well be destroyed if left in the water for an extended period. If you do your homework, follow instructions and remember that the key is proper prep work, you will have a long lasting protective finish that should last for many years. Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society
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