Painting the Stern Drive

[malarky]

I have a 1990 OMC King Cobra drive. I am cleaning-up my boat for the winter, and I was wondering about painting the stern drive.

The boat is new to me- I just purchased it about 4 months ago. The Stern drive is missing quite a bit of paint.

Can it be painted? Can it be brushed on or does it have to be sprayed?

Is there a special kind of paint that must be used?

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Painting the Stern Drive

I have a 1990 OMC King Cobra drive. I am cleaning-up my boat for the winter, and I was wondering about painting the stern drive.

The boat is new to me- I just purchased it about 4 months ago. The Stern drive is missing quite a bit of paint.

Can it be painted? Can it be brushed on or does it have to be sprayed?

Is there a special kind of paint that must be used?

Yes, it can be painted. Spray always looks ten time better than any brush jobs.

Here's a good article for you to read.

http://mercstuff.com/painting.htm

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Painting the Stern Drive

here is the factory matched paint.
i have used it and it looks great.
http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?r=view&i=28488&aID=24E&cID=FROOGLE_28488

 

[malarky]

Re: Painting the Stern Drive

Can it be done while on the boat? What about protecting the hydraulic pistons on the trim?

 

[sundowner205]

Re: Painting the Stern Drive

Can it be done while on the boat? What about protecting the hydraulic pistons on the trim?

Yes it absolutely can - just cover the polished portion of the rams with painters tape, as well as any other areas that should not be painted such as the anodes, prop shaft [unless you have an aluminum prop that you are painting as well], and the area around the transom mount as to not allow for over-spray onto the gelcoat.

I use the Interlux primer and paint from West Marine. It is a special anti-corrosive & anti-fouling [marine growth] paint. The paint is a special mix that inhibits marine growth. It is about $15-20 per can, and you will need 1 can of primer, and 1 or possibly 2 cans of paint to cover the outdrive. Be sure to remove any old growth and large chips of the old paint, then sand well with some 80 grit then a 100 grit paper, and then clean with some denatured alcohol, to allow for a good base for the primer to bond to.

Happy Boating.
-Mark

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: Painting the Stern Drive

I'd add/change one detail of the recommendations for painting the outdrive. NEVER use steel wool on anything on the boat. It will leave a residue which will eventually develop into rust stains. Use brass wool or a plastic "Scrubby" pad to clean anything on the drive or boat. There are a few other articles on how to paint the drive available on the internet. The processes presented are all basically the same as presented here. They only differ in specific paints used and number of coats. Just remember, as was stated, you must start with a clean, dull surface for the paint to adhere properly. You should be pulling your drive off for the winter season to check it and the engine alignment, but if you decide not to and want to spray paint your drive on the boat, just remember that spray paint flies around. You don't want to paint your neighbor's boat when you paint your drive. Create a plastic "tent" around your boat's stern to contain the overspray. Good luck. Hy