Outboard paint

[CaptainHook]

I have a 1969 6hp johnson that I am in the process or restoring. I want to paint it and I was just curious if anyone knows if there is special primer or paint to use.

Is it worth it to buy "outboard spray paint" or is that just a scam???

 

[JimS123]

Re: Outboard paint

Go to a NAPA auto store and buy their self-etching primer. Then go to an OMC dealer and buy the topcoat that matches your motor. The NAPA primer is cheaper than OMC primer, but the OMC paint will match. If you merely want to paint it but don't care about mathing a real Johnson, just buy Rustoleum.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Outboard paint

On the hood you cna use any primer you want but on the metal parts of the motor as Jim said you need etching primer, it is kinda clear yellow and you only need alittle, it doesn't actually cover.

for paint I went to Auto Zone and used Duplicolor, came out really nice but I used actual auto clear on mine, there shoudfl be a color that is real close to what you need.

 

[CaptainHook]

Re: Outboard paint

Thanks. What did you use for cleaning/degreasing? I was goiing to just use some gunk and carb cleaner. Any other suggestions?

 

[JimS123]

Re: Outboard paint

I clean with auto engine cleaner, then finish with Boat9 followed by a quick wipedown with acetone. Tack rag before painting.

 

[CaptainHook]

Re: Outboard paint

Thanks again for the info. I am excited to get started!!!!

 

[dan the tuna]

Re: Outboard paint

how much sanding did you guys do before you painted your outboards? I am thinking about re-painting/touching-up the lower unit of my '86 Yamaha 150 hp

 

[JimS123]

Re: Outboard paint

how much sanding did you guys do before you painted your outboards? I am thinking about re-painting/touching-up the lower unit of my '86 Yamaha 150 hp

Depends on what you want it to look like. When I repainted my my "daily use" motor I merely roughened it up with a wire brush on an electric drill to remove any loose paint, then hand sanded to smoothen it out a bit. After painting there are a few bumps but you can't tell unless you look real close.

Now, my antique 1919 Evinrude Rowboat motor was stripped to bare metal with paint remover before refinishing. If you want it to look like new thats probably the best approach.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Outboard paint

The paint on mine was in pretty bad shape, it looked okay but flaked right off.

I ended up using a metal paint scraper on most of it and 320 grit on what didn't flake off, I even took the motor mount apart, stripped the whole thing back to metal.

Used laquer thinner to get the grease off.

On the hood you only need to rough up the paint, nothing more than 320,400 woudl be better yet, a newbie mistake is to think you have to remove all the paint but all that does is cause problems.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Outboard paint

On the hood you only need to rough up the paint, nothing more than 320,400 woudl be better yet, a newbie mistake is to think you have to remove all the paint but all that does is cause problems.

That's true, but you definately need to remove the decals. Can't paint over them.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Outboard paint

I couldn't find the decals for mine so I just mask them off.

Just be sure any paint you don't get off is scuffed good and any bare metal needs to have etching primer on it or the paint won't stick.

With the paint the end result is directly related to how much prep you do, I think I spent 6-8 hours stripping and sanding and maybe an hour actually painting.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Outboard paint

i did what i concider a quicky job last summer on a early 50,s 25 hp evinrude bigtwin.being that it was all metal i sanded hood and rest of motor to get off any loose paint.the hood i actually stripped down to the bare essentials.for this old gal i just used rattle cans .first was a couple of coats of zinc chromate then followed by super enamel,then lastly i used a clear that was made for the enamel. not the original colors atall but good enough for me.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Outboard paint

Here's my '53 Big Twin. The paint and decals are from North York Marine.

 

[dan the tuna]

Re: Outboard paint

here's my '53 big twin. The paint and decals are from north york marine.

that is a damn fine looking boat!

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Outboard paint

Here's my '53 Big Twin. The paint and decals are from North York Marine.

nice paint job,so thats what mine looks like original.should of see mine before i painted it ,10 colors ,yuck!mine is also e start, is yours?

 

[JimS123]

Re: Outboard paint

nice paint job,so thats what mine looks like original.should of see mine before i painted it ,10 colors ,yuck!mine is also e start, is yours?

No, mine is manual. The Big Twin Electric came out first in 1954.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Outboard paint

No, mine is manual. The Big Twin Electric came out first in 1954.

that would be mine then always forgetting the year,hate the way they put the cowling on though.