Do I need to prime outdrive prior to applying antifouling paint

[viper1216]

I am going to be applying antifouling paint to the my Alpha 1 gen II for the first time. Current paint looks to be in great shape. No chipping or flaking paint. I will be using Interlux Trilux 33. I was looking at Interlux Primicon, and the product description makes it sound like it is for bare metals. Any tips on painting the outdrive while I am thinking of it...do I need to tape off the intake ports for the cooling system or anything else?

Thanks!

 

[airdvr1227]

I don't think the outdrive will like anti fouling paint. I'm sure someone smarter than I will be along shortly to explain why.

 

[Bubbasboat]

I can't speak to the anti fouling paint myself, but as a wise general rule, always tape off anything and everything you don't want paint on when painting anything!

 

[tpenfield]

Trilux 33 is the AF paint to use for outdrives. Just a little steel wool to rough up the paint surface to promote adhesion. I find that getting the quart size can and rolling it on is better than using the spray cans.

 

[JoLin]

No primer needed. I didn't have good luck with Trilux 33. Switched to Seahawk Smart Solutions outdrive paint 2 seasons ago. I use a cheap 'chip' brush to apply. One quart is enough for my 2 drives.

My .02

 

[viper1216]

Great, thanks gents. I was definitely going to go for the quart size....the amount of money they get for that little 12 oz spray can is crazy for the amount of paint you get, Just to clarify, I only need to paint the lower section of the out drive, the upper is fine to leave alone.

 

[Chris1956]

You will get much better protection if you brush on the Trilux (versus spraying). Apply two coats. I would remove the intake grates and paint under them, as that water passage can fill with barnacles and choke off the water supply.

I never primed before applying the Trilux, but the instructions make it pretty clear that they want you to. No need to paint the prop.

 

[tpenfield]

If your boat is going to stay in the water for extended periods of time ( days, weeks, months) the outdrive will be pretty much submerged, even in the tilt up position. So, paint the whole,thing.

If you are trailer launching each day, then don't even bother painting the outdrive.

 

[viper1216]

Thanks, she's gonna be sitting in the water for about 6 months.

 

[tpenfield]

salt or un-salted?

 

[viper1216]

Salt

 

[airdvr1227]

My apologies then. I thought anti fouling paint was a bad idea on an outdrive.

 

[crazy charlie]

Paint everything that is submerged.Sounds like you got the right paint.If you dont want to remove the intake grates then you should get a can of the aerosol outdrive type and make sure you spray through the grates ,as previously mentioned ,the barnacles love to grow in there. airdvr1227 you must use antifoul paint specifically for aluminum .Using a typical copper based antifoull paint IS a very bad idea.Charlie

 

[tpenfield]

After you finish painting the outdrive, make sure to install a fresh set of aluminum anodes. You will go through them in 6 months.

 

[viper1216]

I thought I wanted zinc for saltwater? And the ones I installed last year are in great condition. It was trailered so the did not see a ton of water,

 

[tpenfield]

Aluminum will be better than zinc as far as lasting the 6 months. The problem with using existing anodes year-to-year is that the electrical connectivity tends to be diminished at the fasteners and they loose their effectiveness. You could remove them, clean them up and re-fasten as an added measure.

 

[JoLin]

Yeah, if the anodes are only slightly corroded, you can hit 'em with a wire wheel and reuse them. You want to expose bright, clean metal all around. Don't breathe the dust. Do it outdoors and wear a painter's mask.

Anode material depends on 2 things- the water you're in (fresh, brackish or salt) and the type of metal you're protecting. You want aluminum to protect your aluminum outdrive in salt. From what I found, the outdrive manufacturers switched from zinc to aluminum many years ago because aluminum does as good a job in salt/brackish and lasts longer. For steel (like trim tabs if you have them) in salt, you can use either aluminum or zinc. I use aluminum on all of it.

My .02

 

[Chris1956]

The trim cylinders are mounted in rubber, and may not be grounded. The anodes on a boat must be grounded to provide protection. You may need grounding wires from the outdrive to the anodes.

 

[bigbill321]

Yes, zinc for salt water...