More Outdrive Painting Questions

[speedo]

Albert's sitting in front of the house and it looks like I'm going to have to repaint the outdrive and bottom myself. I've read GeeBee's seminal piece (I bow to the master!) and the Marine Survey maintenance piece. Great stuff!

I'm using 120 grit aluminum oxide sandpaper, and the corrosion is coming off readily, down to bare aluminum in some places. Other spots have heavy paint thats quite in tact and I really don't want to mess with them.

The boat is almost 30 years old and is in its final home in fresh water. Pretty isn't important.

So, given those parameters, I'd appreciate input on any of the following questions.

Do I have to take EVERYTHING down to bare aluminum? Is 120 the right grit? After I've finished the prep, I clean, etch, prime and paint? Is that the correct order. Product recommendations? Does this stuff all come in aerosol form? Any other questions I should be asking?

Thanks in advance!

(I lurk a lot here, and have learned tons! This is a new chore for me, and one I'd really rather pay someone to do, but don't seem to be able to find any takers. Bottom paint is next, but that's another post. Thanks again.)

 

[jtybt15]

If you have good attachment of the original paint, there's no need to remove it. If it doesn't have to be pretty, you don't even have to sand the edges that fair to the aluminum. Alumiprep and alodine doesn't effect the paint.

 

[speedo]

Thanks, Charlie! (We have the same boat, or close to, don't we?) Any suggestions on primer and paint brands?

Thanks again.

 

[jtybt15]

Yup. Mine was a weekender which has a large cuddy and small cockpit for fishing. I had to rearrange things a bit.

I used the yellow chromate primer...but that was before Greg posted his paint tutorial. He did send me the alumiprep/alodine, though. I painted the drive with a 2 part epoxy non antifouling bottom paint. It has a very hard, durable surface but is a little prone to chipping.