Prettifying outdrive

Arminius

Well-Known Member
Oct 30, 2019
1,059
Seattle
Boat Info
Bowrider 200 Select, 2003
Engines
5.0L MPI, 260 hp w/Alpha 1 Drive
Alpha 1 has been in fresh water for 15 years. Bought boat for resale but the seasons have changed. Did add bling and sporty feel with 19" SS prop from my parts bin. Prior was 23'! Hull was commercially acid cleaned and I think they got OD. Photo to follow. Current option is to move it to bottom of to do list.
Possibles:
1. Spray with WD-40
2. Wire brush and sand down to 100 grit. Carefully mask and spray with Rustoleum Gloss Black.
3. Prep as 2 but spray with self-etching Black from auto body supply store. Stuff sticks but is flat.
I have boat detailers and resellers around and I'll check with them.
 
Love to see some before and after pictures.

I wish I could get my boat out of the water whenever to clean up the bottom and repaint my drives vs paying a few boat bucks to have others do this work..... they currently work well but look like sharks have been gnawing on them.
 
i sanded our alphas to bare aluminum, etched with primer, painted with phantom black. looked great going in but we slipped that boat in fresh water so they were trashed by end of season. if its not kept in the water, go for it. Otherwise, not worth it
 
When you put on a stainless prop you set up a major dissimilar metals anode/cathode which increases galvanic corrosion risk on the outdrive without the proper anodes. It could be that the anodes were worn away. In any event, don't use WD-40 before sanding. The oil residue will potentially impact paint adhesion. You need to strip the paint with sanding, wire brushing or maybe sandblasting. Then immediately prime with zinc chromate primer before the aluminum starts to oxidize. Then topcoat with black.
 
Thank you for all your replies. Too much detail work down there, SS nuts to be masked, decals to be preserved or obliterated. Also crouching down there would use up my prescription. Surprisingly, the WD-40 gives it a nice sheen and does not suggest I'm trying to hide anything or bought the OD at the midnight auto supply. Yes, oil will contaminate the surface. I'll delay for a while.
 
When you put on a stainless prop you set up a major dissimilar metals anode/cathode which increases galvanic corrosion risk on the outdrive without the proper anodes. It could be that the anodes were worn away. In any event, don't use WD-40 before sanding. The oil residue will potentially impact paint adhesion. You need to strip the paint with sanding, wire brushing or maybe sandblasting. Then immediately prime with zinc chromate primer before the aluminum starts to oxidize. Then topcoat with black.

I did same on a Bravo 3. New decals on Phantom Black make it look new. Painting took no time at all.

Bennett
 
Coat it with vaseline. The new owner will think its nice and it will fade away slowly.

If you paint properly with rattle can paint it won't go thru a fill season if its kept in the water. Then, the new owner may come back and complain about putting lipstick on a pig.

Alternately, leave it alone and any new owner may just take it for what it is.
 
Way back in college, we discussed Vaseline parties. Petroleum was good then. Sounds awfully messy then and now.
 
Way back in college, we discussed Vaseline parties. Petroleum was good then. Sounds awfully messy then and now.
Vaseline is the poor man's way to brighten up a chalked fiberglas hull. It is used by many and is much less messy and time consuming vs. 6 grades of sandpaper and a lot of polish.
 
I think I will try vinyl/rubber renew on the painted outdrive. Clean fiberglass gets wax. Vaseline suggests a Star Trek style adventure and I'll pass.
 
Not getting obsessed with one cosmetic aspect has helped me get on with project, probably will spray OD with WD-40. Mechanical remedies are a distraction. Mainstays are lacquer thinner and the electric pressure washer. Perfection in cleaning is unobtainable but the overall impression is greatly improved by getting on with it. Would have been unable to show boat to prospects if I had left it at detailer for a week.
 
I did same on a Bravo 3. New decals on Phantom Black make it look new. Painting took no time at all.

Bennett
Where you get Bravo decals. Would like some.
B1FA23AC-5047-4F6C-8C58-E3EB6DA27CF0.jpeg
 
Go on eBay and search for “Mercruiser Decals” and find the correct ones for your boat. Very reasonable and good quality.

Bennett
 
Thx. I was hoping for something like Defender. I hate dealing with the rubes on eBay. Don’t trust them. Right there with Craigslist, Alibaba, etc.

I have bought some graphics form these guys on fleabay. autographicsltd.
Their products are top notch. They are in Canada, but shipping only takes a week to get to my house.
 
Thx. I was hoping for something like Defender. I hate dealing with the rubes on eBay. Don’t trust them. Right there with Craigslist, Alibaba, etc.
Most of the good vinyl manufacturers have a web site. You can buy directly from them, or use their "store" on EBay. Some also use Amazon as an outlet. They usually discount on EBay and the service is the same. It all depends om how much you want to pay.

The Ebay advantage is also that you can get your money back, no questions asked, no reason refused.
 

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