Painting Outdrives (yes, again)

weather · **Posted:** Thu Mar 22, 2012 4:04 pm

I know there a lot of posts on this topic, and I've read a lot of them. My outdrives have been painted at least 2 of the volvo colours (silver and dark grey) in the past, and both are peeling at different rates. It would seem I can also see either bare metal or primer in spots. I would prefer to leave the drives on the boat if possbile and do the work myself.

From what I've read, here are the steps I believe I need to follow:
1. Wash drive
2. Degrease with Acetone
3. Sand entire drive (rough up good paint, get rid of loose)
4. Clean with Metal Prep No 79 (bare metal spots only)
5. Apply Alodine 1201 (bare metal spots only)
6. Apply 2-3 primer coats (Moeller Zinc Chromate or Volvo Primer from Parts Express?)
7. Apply 2-3 paint coats (Volvo Grey DPX/DPS Paint)

I have these questions:
1. Does the list above look correct?
2. Do I need to worry about the water intake holes? Do I fill them with something to stop paint entering?
3. Any special way to mask the exposed bolts/nuts, while still getting access behind them with paint?
4. Perhaps a dumb question, but do I primer the whole drive? (bare metal that has Alodine, scuffed up factory paint, etc)

Thanks!

Backdraft · **Posted:** Mon Apr 02, 2012 8:47 pm

Hi Weather,

Your list looks pretty complete. I'm working on the same project right now. I ended up buying a sandblaster and aluminum oxide blasting media to make my project a little easier (albiet messy, even with a home-made blasting box). I took the drive off using a lifting eye/engine hoist to change out the drive bellows and to make the job a little easier. Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about the water intake holes. While you could close them, I'd think the paint actually entering the holes would be minimal.

As far as the bolts go, I suppose it depends on how far you want to take the project. I'm assuming you're leaving the drive on the boat which means you're going to need to just tape the bolts and paint around them. I wouldn't prime the whole drive either, just the exposed aluminum that you treated with the Alodine.

Good luck on your project!

ric · **Posted:** Mon Apr 02, 2012 8:58 pm

I taped all my bolts off and pretty much did what you listed. About 6 months in the water now, the paint (not primer) is starting to bubble here and there in a few places but the primer and anodes are holding the fort. I really don't care what it looks like underwater as long as the aluminum under it doesn't get nasty. Still looks like new above the water line.

weather · **Posted:** Mon Apr 02, 2012 9:37 pm

Thanks for the replies, and yes I'm planning to do it on the boat, unless I find I need to change out the bellows as well.

taz42169 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:50 am

I'm doing the same thing (again) this year. Only thing I do extra is after it's all pretty, painted and shiney, apply my anti-foul outdrive paint. Good luck.

www.iFourWinns.com

Painting Outdrives (yes, again)

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