Painting my out Drive

alex8q4 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:00 am

My outdrive is sitting in my garage waiting for a paint job.

The question I have is, should I order Volvo paint or just buy something locally?

A number of years ago I painted an Alfa drive using a self etching primer and automotive paint. I now know that the primer holds up very well but the paint was mostly gone after the first season. That was a big lesson and piss off at the same time. Having said that I am still not fully sure what went wrong.

Cheers

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2016 10:01 am

Been discussed many times. here is one example...

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2547

GottWhat · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2016 10:26 am

I sanded down and painted my Merc Bravo 3 outdrive last season. I used Rust-Oleum Professional Aluminum Primer (has Zinc Phosphate*): http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-P ... /202531910

I followed it up with a can of the Professional Glass Black for my application. Held up good for one season but my boat is rack stored when not in use.

*I know Zinc Phosphate is not the exact same as Zinc Chromate but should work similarly for my purpose.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2016 11:08 am

FYI from PPG:

• Zinc Chromate Primers: Formulated for aluminum surfaces above or below the waterline ◦ This powerful primer etches into the aluminum, forming a strong surface/primer union that is resistant to corrosion
◦ Note: For Professional use Only

• Zinc Cold Galvanizing or Zinc Phosphate Primers : Formulated for steel and iron surfaces, especially welded joints, above or below the water line

GottWhat · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2016 11:20 am

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

FYI from PPG:

• Zinc Chromate Primers: Formulated for aluminum surfaces above or below the waterline ◦ This powerful primer etches into the aluminum, forming a strong surface/primer union that is resistant to corrosion
◦ Note: For Professional use Only

• Zinc Cold Galvanizing or Zinc Phosphate Primers : Formulated for steel and iron surfaces, especially welded joints, above or below the water line

It might be a marketing thing but the Rust-Oleum Professional Aluminium Primer description says: "Rust-Oleum Professional Aluminum Primer is a specially formulated base coat for aluminum surfaces. It provides a tight bond for the top coat, thus resisting the usual problems of blistering, flaking, or peeling paint." Also: "Specially formulated for priming aluminum and galvanized surfaces." Maybe it is something in addition to the Zinc Phosphate which makes it work well with AL? I guess I should say YMMV.

GottWhat · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2016 11:25 am

Here is the primer on Amazon: http://smile.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-2541 ... rds=254170

I used the enamel gloss black, but they have a dark gray which might work for Volvo drives: http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000ZYNDTG/r ... B006ZKMKSO

They worked fine for my use but YMMV.

230 Mike · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2016 12:30 pm

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

FYI from PPG:

• Zinc Chromate Primers: Formulated for aluminum surfaces above or below the waterline ◦ This powerful primer etches into the aluminum, forming a strong surface/primer union that is resistant to corrosion
◦ Note: For Professional use Only

• Zinc Cold Galvanizing or Zinc Phosphate Primers : Formulated for steel and iron surfaces, especially welded joints, above or below the water line

IMO there are no viable shortcuts to a properly refinished drive, unless you're happy with a single season.

FYI, if you do decide to go with VP paint, there are three different part numbers that are considered "Volvo Gray." They are not the same color...

alex8q4 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 26, 2016 7:04 pm

What or who is PPG?

GottWhat · **Posted:** Fri Feb 26, 2016 7:33 pm

alex8q4 wrote:

What or who is PPG?

Among other things, PPG is one of the largest paints & coatings companies in the world.

298VISTA2000 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 26, 2016 8:58 pm

I sure am glad my Vista is in the slip all the time so I don't have to worry about how pretty the outdrives look. However, I do use the green zinc chromate primer after sanding (or sandblasting depending on the occasion) and then top coat them with regular Rustoleum flat black.

Outdrive with flat black

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 27, 2016 11:50 am

After quite a bit of research last winter, I painted mine with Pettit Hydrocoat ECO. It held up very well over the season of being slipped. Drives don't look all nice and shiny, but I'd rather have great performance in the water.

alex8q4 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 27, 2016 2:43 pm

As I mentioned in my original post, the primer I used held up great. In fact to this day, about 7 years later, it still looks great. I had stripped the corroded drive and housing, and welded a new skeg on to it. The paint on the other hand didn't last half a summer, and I can't remember what the heck I used.

Sounds like guys are having good results with rustoleum which I believe but am surprised by. This seems like the best quick option as it is readily accessible and and be touched up easily at any time.

My boat will be in a slip all season, and is likely to be for sale at some point this season or early next. I want her to be looking her best!

Here is a pretty good link I found for who ever might be interested. Not sure if this is the route I will take but will consider is for sure. He makes an interesting point about Zinc primers that a lot of people on many boards have recommended.

http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=97217

Alex

alex8q4 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 27, 2016 2:45 pm

298VISTA2000 wrote:

I sure am glad my Vista is in the slip all the time so I don't have to worry about how pretty the outdrives look. However, I do use the green zinc chromate primer after sanding (or sandblasting depending on the occasion) and then top coat them with regular Rustoleum flat black.

Outdrive with flat black

Your drives look great, but I am even more impressed with the shine on your swim platform!

Is the trim something you added or stock?

298VISTA2000 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 27, 2016 5:28 pm

alex8q4 wrote:

298VISTA2000 wrote:

I sure am glad my Vista is in the slip all the time so I don't have to worry about how pretty the outdrives look. However, I do use the green zinc chromate primer after sanding (or sandblasting depending on the occasion) and then top coat them with regular Rustoleum flat black.

Outdrive with flat black

Your drives look great, but I am even more impressed with the shine on your swim platform!

Is the trim something you added or stock?

Thanks and I had the rub rail added about 12 years ago to keep the bottom of the swim platform from chipping.

www.iFourWinns.com

Painting my out Drive

Who is online