Outdrive Paint Question (I've read the guides, but am just looking for opinions)

[BigBobsBigBobbingBogBoat]

Hey folks, I've got two identical aluminum Volvo Penta 280 outdrives.

One is assembled and painted with the standard grey volvo paint.

One is totally disassembled (upper, intermediate, and lower) and has been stripped to bare aluminum and had some pitting filled with JB Weld.

I'm in brackish water in the Chesapeake bay, and would like to have "some" kind of antifouling on it... unless you suggest otherwise.

I'm planning to alumiprep, then alodine the disassembled drive

Three Q's

What brand of paint should I paint the drives with? (lots of folks rec'd 2 part epoxies, but I'm not sure what brands are any good)

Should I fully assemble the disassembled outdrive before painting? (IE: I don't know if the paint really does much to seal it).

After painting, do you reccomend an anti-fouling topcoat?

Thanks a ton guys!

Bob

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Outdrive Paint Question (I've read the guides, but am just looking for opinions)

Your question is probably better off in the sterndrive section instead of the general section. Maybe a moderator can move it for you.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Outdrive Paint Question (I've read the guides, but am just looking for opinions)

paint them assembled.
I have twice tried to paint the bottom of my Yamaha OB where it sits in the water--used the correct primer and paint, at about $25 a spray can, and prepped correctly. I had a shop do it the first year and I did it the second. also did the trim tabs, swim ladder support, adn transponder. The paint did not hold one bit either time.
Good luck.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Outdrive Paint Question (I've read the guides, but am just looking for opinions)

I just rattle can mine in the spring.. Good ol rustoleum and some clear.. You run it though some shallow stuff it's going to come off anyhow no matter what you stick on there.. Shoot mine still looks pretty good other than the bottom of the gear case..(got kinda in a mess when the tide went out:redface Little shot of paint and looks good as new... I did the first time with the outdrive off the boat.. Did a bunch of coats of each.. Now when I have to do the bottom of the gear case.. I shield off over-spray with a piece of cardboard since I just have to do a small section.. You can spend alot of money or a little.. I don't think having a pro do it is going to make it better..

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Outdrive Paint Question (I've read the guides, but am just looking for opinions)

assemble first.IF you assemble after painting you run the almost 100% risk of chipping paint off when you assemble,If you chip paint ,the drive will get concentrated corrosion in the chipped area.Prime with Zinc Chromate or zinc phosphate to prime.Dont bother spending $25 a can on factory paint.Use a quality rustoleum or Krylon.Brush on wont look as good but I know for a fact that it will last much better.Charlie

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Outdrive Paint Question (I've read the guides, but am just looking for opinions)

You will need antifouling paint on the outdrive. Paint it well since even the A-F made for aluminum is hazardous to unprotected aluminum. Use tri-lux and apply with a brush. Two coats is best. The rattle can A-F is junk.....

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Outdrive Paint Question (I've read the guides, but am just looking for opinions)

Use tri-lux and apply with a brush. Two coats is best. The rattle can A-F is junk.....

+1. I also boat on the Chesapeake and keep the boat in a slip pretty far up the Severn. I used to use the AF spray. Always followed the directions and used the whole can on one drive. By fall it had as many barnacles as the pilings in the marina. The current boat had trilux brushed on it. There were a few barnacles, but not many compared to the other stuff.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Outdrive Paint Question (I've read the guides, but am just looking for opinions)

Don't apply with a brush. Use a spray. Prime with Zinc Chromate with drive assembled. Spray with Volvo OEM outdrive color. 2 coats of primer and 2 coats of paint. add 2 coats of clear to help keep the paint from rubbing off as easy. No need for anti fouling paint on the outdrive.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Outdrive Paint Question (I've read the guides, but am just looking for opinions)

Slip away, The OP is keeping it in the slip on the Cheasapeake. Do you know how many barnacles he will have in a month, if he doesn't apply A-F paint? His water intakes will be completely clogged by then w/o antifouling paint. Heck, his intakes might be clogged up by the end of the season, even if he uses A-F paint.

 

[shout]

Re: Outdrive Paint Question (I've read the guides, but am just looking for opinions)

Slip away, The OP is keeping it in the slip on the Cheasapeake. Do you know how many barnacles he will have in a month, if he doesn't apply A-F paint? His water intakes will be completely clogged by then w/o antifouling paint. Heck, his intakes might be clogged up by the end of the season, even if he uses A-F paint.

100% agree, I keep a boat off the Ches. Bay also, my boat was new, dealer made a deal to paint the bottom of the boat but didn't paint the out drive, I didn't know any better at the time... at the end of the season the entire drive was covered with barnacles, I spend a whole lot of time cleaning up that mess. Since then I've used the tri-lux, no more problems.
- Shout

 

[BigBobsBigBobbingBogBoat]

Re: Outdrive Paint Question (I've read the guides, but am just looking for opinions)

Awesome! A big thanks guys.