Painting Motors

[James R]

I rebuild outboards as a retirement hobby. I will buy a sick motor with potential and create a happy puppy.. Sometimes these motors need a coat of paint and new Decals and I like to make a good job of them. I was using the touch up cans but what a pain especially with a little arthritis in my fingers and the results were in no way acceptable. I have gone over to two part automotive paint using an inexpensive HVLP from HF. Slowly getting the hang of it.and getting much better results. Of course the clean up is a pain. I have to work outdoors so the weather is a factor.
I would be interested to hear any comments or input from anyone with experience.

 

[pckeen]

No experience - I'm in the process of restoring an old motor. I plan on using one of the pre-made spray bombs to do it. Several companies list, them including iboats, which sells Moeller spray bombs, in OEM colors. If you cannot find what you are looking for here, there are companies out there that sell vintage OEM colors in spray bombs or by the 1/2 pint, pint or quart....

 

[JimS123]

I currently own 67 outboards and have restored / refinished most of them. I have arthritis as well, and have not had a problem with rattle-can paint.

The best paint, bar none, is from North York Marine in Canada. The colors are perfect, the application outstanding and the finished quality is superb. He sells decals as well.

 

[82rude]

nymarine.ca

 

[iam2sam]

I notice that there seems to be a burgeoning cottage industry in making and applying custom vehicle (etc) wraps. I admit I know nothing about the set-up cost for an individual wrap, or whether the maximum resolution of the process would allow accurate duplication of OEM decals and other markings, but it seems like there might be some merit in exploring this as an option. It also might be a solution for those who want to go camo for wildfowl hunting season, but don't want a permanent change.

 

[southkogs]

There are both "permanent" and temporary wraps, and the resolution on them can be outstanding. They can be a real pain in the tuckus to apply, particularly to something like Jim's late 50's Johnny, but on some of the newer heads the application wouldn't be too bad. I wouldn't substitute a wrap for decals - a good paint job and some good vinyl will do the trick much easier and give you a more authentic look.

Jim, at some point, I've got that same Johnson sitting in my garage - cleaned and ready to get runnin'. 'course I need another boat to put it on too.