Media Blasting Outdrive while on boat?

[ajkolar]

I see media/sand blasting guns (siphon type) for use with an air compressor at the local home depot for like $13. If I pick one of these up, can I blast the paint off my outdrive without taking it off the boat (after plugging all holes of course)? If so, what type of "media" should I use. Hoping there is something that I can use that can just be swept up can discarded. Thanks for your help.

 

[Norm Malcosky]

Re: Media Blasting Outdrive while on boat?

Hi,<br /><br />I just finished using a similiar media gun (sand blaster) to clean my outdrives before repainting. Got it at Harbor Freight for about $25 + $20 for the glass beads. I chose the glass beads because they were recommended for aluminum (less agressive). <br /><br />The glass beads did clean off the corrosion well, but did not clean off the factory paint - it was too tough. I ended up just cleaning all surface corrosion and roughing up the factory paint before starting the repainting.<br /><br />Next year I will let you know how well it worked out.<br /><br />erie_guy<br />Port Clinton, OH

 

[ajkolar]

Re: Media Blasting Outdrive while on boat?

So you did this with the outdrive still on the boat? Even if it didn't clean everything off, was it worth it for what it did remove? I just think sand paper would be a long and less efficient proecess.... Anyone else have any expierence trying this, maybe with a different type media? Thanks!

 

[dodge1971340]

Re: Media Blasting Outdrive while on boat?

Hi aj!! i would say that wouldnt work just not agressive enough that factory paint on your outdrive is baked on its pretty tough stuff. even if you use an more agessive media you would be there for 90000 years to peel it off. If your like me everything must look perfect and it gets me in alota trouble (LOL) to realy get that affect you would have to take the drive off and disemble it compley have it striped and power coated and baked because reg paint just will not last. my advice would leave the factory paint scuff it good and clean it good and they sell out drive paint at westmarine.com but it will not be as durable as that baked on paint thats why i say leave that there its there for a good reason.Hope i helped GOOD DAY!! And God bless GP

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Media Blasting Outdrive while on boat?

Originally posted by ajkolar:<br /> So you did this with the outdrive still on the boat? Even if it didn't clean everything off, was it worth it for what it did remove? I just think sand paper would be a long and less efficient proecess.... Anyone else have any expierence trying this, maybe with a different type media? Thanks!

I did it on the boat with a $13 Home Depot sand blaster. No problems at all. Came out great. Messy work though. Wear some protective gear and if you can do the work in cool weather, you won't regret it.

 

[ajkolar]

Re: Media Blasting Outdrive while on boat?

Hey Mischief, what type of "media" did you use? Thanks!

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Media Blasting Outdrive while on boat?

I used black sand. Very aggressive. I would have used something else if I'd known. That said, it still came out really nice. The slightly roughened texture of the aluminum really holds the paint and primer well. The paint came out pretty smooth too.