cleaning and painting Bravo drive

[jere1972]

any ideas on what kind of paint to use on the drive and gimble, never had much luck with spray can stuff, I used dupli-color paint shop laquer in the quart can on my outboard, looked beautiful for about 6 months, guess something went wrong with the clear coat and became blotchy, I've seen some YouTube videos of people shooting Rust-o-leum high performance and adding a hardner, and thoughts? I would like to try and achieve that original mercruiser fiinish and durability

 

[tpenfield]

Re: cleaning and painting Bravo drive

Some folks treat their outdrives like a work of art and get high end paint, etc., following Mercruiser recommendations to the letter.

Others get a can of Krylon black and have at it.

I am going to be re-finishing the outdrives on my soon-to-be new (to me) boat . . . I will probably use Interlux Primocon primer as the base and top coat with black engine enamel or something like that.

Many folks use the rustoleum paints for outdrives. I think if you use a quality enamel, then you would be OK.

Us salt water guys have to paint the outdrive with anti-fouling anyway, so it ends up looking dull and boring, regardless of how nice it looks prior.

 

[Bondo]

Re: cleaning and painting Bravo drive

Some folks treat their outdrives like a work of art and get high end paint, etc., following Mercruiser recommendations to the letter.

Others get a can of Krylon black and have at it.

I am going to be re-finishing the outdrives on my soon-to-be new (to me) boat . . . I will probably use Interlux Primocon primer as the base and top coat with black engine enamel or something like that.

Many folks use the rustoleum paints for outdrives. I think if you use a quality enamel, then you would be OK.

Us salt water guys have to paint the outdrive with anti-fouling anyway, so it ends up looking dull and boring, regardless of how nice it looks prior.

Ayuh,.... Congrats Ted,... I guess the search is over,..??

shooting Rust-o-leum high performance and adding a hardner, and thoughts?

Ayuh,... I shoot my drive every year or 2 with rattlecan Rustoleum...

Yer never goin' to get a paint job like the original,..... ain't gonna happen....

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: cleaning and painting Bravo drive

I simply cleaned mine, roughed it up with a green scrubbie, soaked it with a good dose alcohol based brake parts cleaner, let it dry then (following the advice here), simply used "rattlecan" paint. I had some "Phantom Black"...but will use the Rustoleum next year. Still looks good!

 

[mohead1]

Re: cleaning and painting Bravo drive

Factory says to sand/scuff all bare aluminum spots and painted areas, treat bare alum with "alumiprep 33" to remove oxidation, primer with a zinc chromate type (several on market), then finish w acrylic enamel........

OR....just get sum rustoleum and spray er down.....lmao....

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: cleaning and painting Bravo drive

Anything more than scuffing the corroded spots and spraying with a rattlecan (Rustoleum is the best) is a waste of time, effort, and money.

My other advice to you is "LEAVE AS MUCH OF THE FACTORY PAINT AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN!" As Bond-o says, it's never going to be as good as the original, so don't sand off anything that is still good.

 

[45Auto]

Re: cleaning and painting Bravo drive

I've repainted many drives using the Mercruiser factory recommendations. Oldest one I've done was my B3 when I broke the gimble ring in 2005 and it still looks brand new. Minimum quantities on the materials will cost you around $250, but you'll have enough to do about 4 drives. If you're only doing one it's going to be expensive.

The Mercruiser procedure and materials is about half-way down this FAQ page:

http://www.mercuryracing.com/techcorners/mercruiserfaqs.php#tech_11

 

[jere1972]

Re: cleaning and painting Bravo drive

any Idea on a online supplier for the ditzler products