Outdrive Paint

[LetsRock]

Let me start off by saying that I know keeping an i/o in the saltwater all season long is one of the worst things to do. My family loves having the boat in the water so that isnt going to change.

With that said, last year after pulling the boat the drive and trim tab were covered in barnacles. I have read that they have recently stoped making the best kind of paint you can put on the drive due to the chemicals involved. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what the best way to treat the drive and tabs to avoid such bad growth?

 

[Bugsy24]

LetsRock, I just googled outdrive paint spray and alot of sites selling them came up. In the Navy we used a clear spray on our outdrives that didn't work so well. It probably had to do with the water temp being 90 degree's and the boats working 24/7 and only being hauled out when we had a boat casualty. Brushing on is probably the best application but usually doesn't look good, your drives will be underwater so! Whatever you do don't use anything with Copper or Tin in it as it will corode the aluminum housing on the Merc's. If you have time and ability I would sand the engines down and repaint and then cover them with a couple of thinned coats of the appropiate biocyde of your choice! One old "Salt" told me before biocyd paint they used to mix Chili Powder in the paint and that worked well!!
Hope this helps!

 

[Henry Boyd]

I have been using Trilux 33 for years. It is ugly but it keeps the crud off. We are in six months of the year in salt/brackish water.

Henry

 

[ProfitOfDoom]

I second the trilux.
I put a coat of this on my outdrive before the season started and it was docked around 5 months in the water and pulled it out and it really stayed clean compared to my friends.
Im in fresh water,so cant say how it would work for you,but Trilux is a good paint.
I forget the cost but im thinking it was around $80 for a can of the trilux paint and a can of primer you also need.

 

[LetsRock]

I have been using Trilux 33 for years. It is ugly but it keeps the crud off. We are in six months of the year in salt/brackish water.

Henry

Thanks Henry. Do you mind explaining if there is any prep work (ie...sanding..etc?) that I need to do before applying or do I just put it on as is?

 

[Henry Boyd]

I paint mine in the spring before the props go back on, and with the old zincs in place. My service work to the drive is done in the fall, but if you had service work other than zincs (like an impeller change), you might want to do that first.

The no mans land between the hull bottom paint and the drive transom ring is masked. I also mask the face of the mercathode. It is mounted on the bottom of the transom ring.

I clean any grease or oil left from the service with solvent. Trilux melts so don't go crazy. Then I scuff of any big crud. Usually we get literally one, or two, barnacles and a little sea weed. I scrape that off and then rough up the surface with 80 grit sandpaper. If here is any bare aluminum (usually the skeg tip), sand that good with the 80 grit. I used to prime with zinc chromate followed by the Phantom Black and then Trilux, but it does not last. We boat in shallow water by necessity and the skeg typically gets dragged through the sand at least once by our second outing, so now I just sand and coat with Trilux.

I buy the quart can and paint by brush. Use the cheapo throw away bristle brushes. Also buy the Interlux Brushing Solvent if you go this route for clean up and thinning. I think buying by the can is more cost effective as unused paint can be saved til year, where as an aerosol can can go flat.

Henry

 

[CoralReefer]

I've been wanting to paint my outdrive. I found Interlux/Trilux spray primer and flat black on eBay for about $20-$30 per can. Would this work? I'm keeping in the water about 7 months with a couple of haul outs to clean.

 

[LetsRock]

I paint mine in the spring before the props go back on, and with the old zincs in place. My service work to the drive is done in the fall, but if you had service work other than zincs (like an impeller change), you might want to do that first.

The no mans land between the hull bottom paint and the drive transom ring is masked. I also mask the face of the mercathode. It is mounted on the bottom of the transom ring.

I clean any grease or oil left from the service with solvent. Trilux melts so don't go crazy. Then I scuff of any big crud. Usually we get literally one, or two, barnacles and a little sea weed. I scrape that off and then rough up the surface with 80 grit sandpaper. If here is any bare aluminum (usually the skeg tip), sand that good with the 80 grit. I used to prime with zinc chromate followed by the Phantom Black and then Trilux, but it does not last. We boat in shallow water by necessity and the skeg typically gets dragged through the sand at least once by our second outing, so now I just sand and coat with Trilux.

I buy the quart can and paint by brush. Use the cheapo throw away bristle brushes. Also buy the Interlux Brushing Solvent if you go this route for clean up and thinning. I think buying by the can is more cost effective as unused paint can be saved til year, where as an aerosol can can go flat.

Henry

Henry thank you for taking the time to type this out for me. I will be putting this to use this spring. I really appreciate your help.

 

[Stray Cat]

I've been wanting to paint my outdrive. I found Interlux/Trilux spray primer and flat black on eBay for about $20-$30 per can. Would this work? I'm keeping in the water about 7 months with a couple of haul outs to clean.

In fresh water, I used this last year. http://semproducts.com/cms/SELF+ETCHING+PRIMERS/99.html (available at auto & body shop supply retailers) I discovered it from a 310DA owner with outdrives that swears by it. I had no luck with the Mercruiser black. After 6 months, fall clean up after haul out, both drives looked as good as they did in the spring. I'm just sharing my experience with it...The Trilux may work better for your water.

 

[CoralReefer]

I've been wanting to paint my outdrive. I found Interlux/Trilux spray primer and flat black on eBay for about $20-$30 per can. Would this work? I'm keeping in the water about 7 months with a couple of haul outs to clean.

Still curious if this will work. I plan on scuffing, priming, and painting with Trilux spray. Will this work for my application?

 

[popeye]

Stick with the high priced Merc. stuff.,.. Not worth the risk having to re prep.....Popeye..

 

[gregkjones]

Try propspeed. Nothing grows on it. A little pricey but not much for a job like you are doing. For bigger gear it gets expensive but then again, it still isnt much relative to the boat's overall costs. They have a video with examples, and sell it at convenient locations. http://propspeedusa.com/