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Author Topic:   Repainting Outboard Motor

tully_mars posted 12-27-2002 06:14 PM ET (US)
I need to repaint an Outboard Johnson 15hp motor because the white paint is flaking off and the aluminum is starting to bubble with corrosion. Besides sanding and using a wire brush, what would be some other things to do to prevent corrosion from re-appearing? I don't want to paint this motor and have it look this way again in a year.
Any good primer's, corrosion inhibitors etc.. for the motor?
Tully Mars
andygere posted 12-27-2002 06:41 PM ET (US)
Use Tempo's zinc chromate primer, and degrease the metal before applying. Also see Jim H's excellent article on this topic:
http://continuouswave.com/maintenance-logs/paintSkeg/
jimh posted 12-27-2002 08:58 PM ET (US)
I have learned since writing that article that Michigan must be about the only state in the union where you cannot get Zinc-Chromate paints, probably due to some whacky environmental law. All I could find was Zinc-Phosphate paint, but I think you can find the Zince-Chromate almost anywhere other than Michigan.
tully_mars posted 12-27-2002 10:32 PM ET (US)
Jimh and Andy,
Thanks, read the article and no problem. Luckily mine is just starting to look bad so sanding and primering is all that is required. Down in Alabama we will probably be one of the last states to outlaw such a chemical, so I will look for the zinc-chromate.
Tully Mars
Kingsteven18 posted 12-28-2002 08:37 AM ET (US)
I got zinc chromate at my local NAPA auto parts store as well as the 'Johnson White' paint. Steve
masbama posted 12-28-2002 02:22 PM ET (US)
I painted my old 60hp Johnson.
Sanded it, wiped off with Acetone then primed and painted. It looked good.
I may be in the river on Sun.
Will you be around?
ducktwin posted 12-28-2002 04:59 PM ET (US)
tilly_mars,
One thing to do that helps, before you prime, is to was down the area to be painted with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water.
The vinegar/water solution helps etch the surface and give the zinc chromate an even better surface to adhere to.
Bigshot posted 12-30-2002 11:00 AM ET (US)
Most important is how to use the Zinc primer. If you totaly cover the bare metal it will peel. You just need a light cover, don't try and paint it green, have the white show under the primer. Also use the Tempo Johnson White paint. No mater what year is on the can it is the same color. So anything that says 1977up is good.
simonmeridew posted 12-31-2002 05:02 PM ET (US)
I just need to paint the skeg on my OMC. I got a can of touch up paint at the OMC dealer for $5... do I need to prime before I use the color?
simonmeridew
oysterman posted 12-31-2002 06:29 PM ET (US)
From experiance: prep is everything. It's vital you have a clean surface and to use the right primer. If it's not done right you will have peeling in no time at all.
IRLsnookslayer posted 12-31-2002 08:45 PM ET (US)
Good Prep and Zinc Chromate Primer is the key, if it's not available in your area most online boat supply dealers like boaterworld.com carry it, also if you think you could have had some electrolysis or your engine is older you may need to replace the sacrificial anodes (I'm not sure if 15hp's even have those???)good luck
Bigshot posted 01-02-2003 09:29 AM ET (US)
For a skeg...don't matter much because it will just wear off in a few hours anyway.
Good point in that we remember NOT to paint the zinc anodes.
tully_mars posted 01-02-2003 10:56 AM ET (US)
I have the Zinc Chromate now, easily available here. I have sanded out the bubbled corroded areas on the motor and will vinegar etch and the prime them. The other areas where the paint is still good, should I just rough them up with sand paper and paint or prime them too? Do the whole motor with Zinc Chromate or switch to regular primer for those areas.
Tully Mars
Bigshot posted 01-02-2003 02:30 PM ET (US)
Nah...just primer what is bare. If the paint is sticking to the other parts...leave it be.
63WHALER posted 01-02-2003 07:59 PM ET (US)
Like jimh, all i could find was the zinc phosphate, which is OMC brand. What is the differences? Is the zinc phosphate ok to use, or should i keep looking for chromate? Also ,OMC lists different codes for Johnson white touch up paints according to different year models, is there a big difference? Had to order some from dealer because the white they had was for 1991 and i have/needed 1982 & 1986 motors.
Bigshot posted 01-03-2003 10:08 AM ET (US)
Think it is the same white from 1977 to present, even for the evinrudes. Use the OMC zinc...nomatter what type.

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Author	Topic: Repainting Outboard Motor
tully_mars	posted 12-27-2002 06:14 PM ET (US) I need to repaint an Outboard Johnson 15hp motor because the white paint is flaking off and the aluminum is starting to bubble with corrosion. Besides sanding and using a wire brush, what would be some other things to do to prevent corrosion from re-appearing? I don't want to paint this motor and have it look this way again in a year. Any good primer's, corrosion inhibitors etc.. for the motor? Tully Mars
andygere	posted 12-27-2002 06:41 PM ET (US) Use Tempo's zinc chromate primer, and degrease the metal before applying. Also see Jim H's excellent article on this topic: http://continuouswave.com/maintenance-logs/paintSkeg/
jimh	posted 12-27-2002 08:58 PM ET (US) I have learned since writing that article that Michigan must be about the only state in the union where you cannot get Zinc-Chromate paints, probably due to some whacky environmental law. All I could find was Zinc-Phosphate paint, but I think you can find the Zince-Chromate almost anywhere other than Michigan.
tully_mars	posted 12-27-2002 10:32 PM ET (US) Jimh and Andy, Thanks, read the article and no problem. Luckily mine is just starting to look bad so sanding and primering is all that is required. Down in Alabama we will probably be one of the last states to outlaw such a chemical, so I will look for the zinc-chromate. Tully Mars
Kingsteven18	posted 12-28-2002 08:37 AM ET (US) I got zinc chromate at my local NAPA auto parts store as well as the 'Johnson White' paint. Steve
masbama	posted 12-28-2002 02:22 PM ET (US) I painted my old 60hp Johnson. Sanded it, wiped off with Acetone then primed and painted. It looked good. I may be in the river on Sun. Will you be around?
ducktwin	posted 12-28-2002 04:59 PM ET (US) tilly_mars, One thing to do that helps, before you prime, is to was down the area to be painted with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water. The vinegar/water solution helps etch the surface and give the zinc chromate an even better surface to adhere to.
Bigshot	posted 12-30-2002 11:00 AM ET (US) Most important is how to use the Zinc primer. If you totaly cover the bare metal it will peel. You just need a light cover, don't try and paint it green, have the white show under the primer. Also use the Tempo Johnson White paint. No mater what year is on the can it is the same color. So anything that says 1977up is good.
simonmeridew	posted 12-31-2002 05:02 PM ET (US) I just need to paint the skeg on my OMC. I got a can of touch up paint at the OMC dealer for $5... do I need to prime before I use the color? simonmeridew
oysterman	posted 12-31-2002 06:29 PM ET (US) From experiance: prep is everything. It's vital you have a clean surface and to use the right primer. If it's not done right you will have peeling in no time at all.
IRLsnookslayer	posted 12-31-2002 08:45 PM ET (US) Good Prep and Zinc Chromate Primer is the key, if it's not available in your area most online boat supply dealers like boaterworld.com carry it, also if you think you could have had some electrolysis or your engine is older you may need to replace the sacrificial anodes (I'm not sure if 15hp's even have those???)good luck
Bigshot	posted 01-02-2003 09:29 AM ET (US) For a skeg...don't matter much because it will just wear off in a few hours anyway. Good point in that we remember NOT to paint the zinc anodes.
tully_mars	posted 01-02-2003 10:56 AM ET (US) I have the Zinc Chromate now, easily available here. I have sanded out the bubbled corroded areas on the motor and will vinegar etch and the prime them. The other areas where the paint is still good, should I just rough them up with sand paper and paint or prime them too? Do the whole motor with Zinc Chromate or switch to regular primer for those areas. Tully Mars
Bigshot	posted 01-02-2003 02:30 PM ET (US) Nah...just primer what is bare. If the paint is sticking to the other parts...leave it be.
63WHALER	posted 01-02-2003 07:59 PM ET (US) Like jimh, all i could find was the zinc phosphate, which is OMC brand. What is the differences? Is the zinc phosphate ok to use, or should i keep looking for chromate? Also ,OMC lists different codes for Johnson white touch up paints according to different year models, is there a big difference? Had to order some from dealer because the white they had was for 1991 and i have/needed 1982 & 1986 motors.
Bigshot	posted 01-03-2003 10:08 AM ET (US) Think it is the same white from 1977 to present, even for the evinrudes. Use the OMC zinc...nomatter what type.