stripping mid section outboard

[Benny1963]

i am going to repaint mid section and lower unit
is there a good stripper or can i sand blast . or do i need to da and wet sand
before primeing. what type of primer do use .and what can i fix any imperfections with before primeing .also do the tempo engine paint work below waterline or do i need outdrive paint .trying to stay with factory colors
thanks benny b

 

[stl]

Re: stripping mid section outboard

check out Pony's 62 fisherman restoration. You might get some good tips there. He did a great job on that motor. Search pony on username.

 

[pduquette]

Re: stripping mid section outboard

Hi Benny!
I used stripeze gell (HD or local hardware) pluss a wire brush on a drill and hand sanding to clean mine down to the metal . I used J.B. weld to fill in the pits from corrosion and more hand sanding . I went with Pettit Trilux primer and anti-fouling paint on everything in the water. Two cans of primer did my whole 50 hp <1980> everything but the cowling- but it took two cans to do from the waterline down . My friends told me it's looking like new now ! hope this helps.

 

[j442w30]

Re: stripping mid section outboard

I would advise against using a wire brush on a drill, this can imbed steel particles in the alumnium of your midsection or lower unit. Stripping with a chemical stripper and sanding should do the trick. I think Pony used something like a zinc chromate primer and then a color matched top coat.

 

[pduquette]

Re: stripping mid section outboard

well , I didn't think of that ! I used the brush mainly to dig into the pitting to be sure no corrosion was left . always went over the area with sanding block too .

 

[wire2]

Re: stripping mid section outboard

Manufacturers typically use zinc chromate but that's on virgin metal in a controlled environment.

Aluminum corrosion is like rust on steel; if you leave the tiniest speck, it will come through again.

I've had very good results by sanding with a 100 grit disc on a 5" angle grinder. Hand sand the inaccessible spots.
It leaves lots of lines in the aluminum for the next step.

As soon as it's all clean, (don't wait a day, it oxides fast), mix 2 part epoxy primer and 10% thinner, and spray it. It sets up fast (run resistant) and easily covers the sanding scratches.

PM me, I'll send a picture of a 23 year old OMC outdrive I did. Came out better than new. I finished with automotive metallic enamel.