Powder coat outdrive????

[crazy charlie]

I took my outdrive to get sand blasted the other day and the company that sandblasts offered to powder coat the drive after they blast it.I think i would rather prime and coat with phantom black laquer spray.any thoughts??? Charlie

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Powder coat outdrive????

I don't think that you could get a more durable finish. Black powder coat won't initially look as good as other well sprayed finishes but it will look good for much, much longer.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Powder coat outdrive????

I know the finish is durable but i wonder how it will hold up under water and if there will be any reaction with the aluninum.Is powder coating like an epoxy?????

 

[navigator336]

Re: Powder coat outdrive????

I've heard of people powder coating scuba tanks. I've never heard that the finish failed under water. I have heard that do to the heat of the oven, that it can change the metalurgy of the tanks to a point where the tanks have failed under the 3000 PSI fill. Unless you can find somebody who's done it successfully, I'd go the tried and proven method, even though it may work great.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Powder coat outdrive????

I would think that an honest powder painter would be an excellent source of info on the limits and capabilities of the art. May call and talk to other powder painters and see what they say. They don't have to heat the object high enough to cause damage to the metal. My question would be simply adhesion properties considering the metal and the circumstances it would be used in. (wet and maybe salt)

 

[andrewgroup]

Re: Powder coat outdrive????

Powder coating requires a 450 degree trip through and oven to turn the electrostatically attached power paint to the surface. 350 is the current lowest available temp powder paint. Powder coating is in my families business for the last 40 years......<br /><br />You would have to fully disassemble the outdrive down to the bare casing for the job. Since the outdrive is a highly machined casted piece of metal you risk deforming the metal in the process. <br /><br />I recommend you focus on function rather than looks. Buy a good defouling paint designed to prevent marine growth and lather it own when needed.

 

[BRIAN03]

Re: Powder coat outdrive????

Power coat is fine if it will never stay in the water (unless in use). We have done many of them. If its going to stay in the water you need to use a epoxy primer and epoxy paint. US paint,Imron, algrip, PPG. Two part epoxy paint. Thats the only thing that last. We use a epoxy primer, base coat(the color) then a clear coat. Five coat of clear minium. If Im in the mood Ill put ten coat of clear on. Looks wet all the time. Dont touch that its wet.

 

[airman]

Re: Powder coat outdrive????

Let us know what you choose and how it turns out. I'm doing the same thing right now and am deciding between priming and phantom black or taking it to an autobody shop for the black (prep and prime myself). The shop will have access to better paint/equipment than I do but if the spray bomb works well then I won't bother.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Powder coat outdrive????

Thanks Andrew,you made up my mind.Airman,i will bring the drive to be sand blasted and i will do the rest myself.I have had very good results in the past by making sure the metal is cleaned after stripping the paint.also making sure the surface is warm before priming.the phantom black paint goes on well in the sun,thats where i have had my best results.The sun helps it dry quick and keeps the surface warm so it adheres well.Charlie

 

[airman]

Re: Powder coat outdrive????

Thanks, Charlie. I'll pick up a spray bomb. Too bad it's not going to be sunny and warm until May.