Painting a Bravo Three Sterndrive

[At Ease]

Well I have about finished sanding and using my Dremel to clean out any pitted areas. I know I have seen several post regarding this but I am not finding the one that list a particular solution or paint prepping product to use prior to applying zinc chromate. Anyone remember what to use? Also, if I decide to go with Trilux instead of Phantom Black, is zinc chromate still the primer of choice?

 

[amberjack290]

I just finished painting drives, and used alumaprep, then zinc chromate primer, then phantom black. This combo has worked well for me in the past. Of course, I'm in fresh water.

I have read the trilux contains small amount of copper as an antifouling agent and is not the best for sealing an aluminum drive. Also, any repaint has to be with Trilux or all of it needs to be stripped.

Good luck.

 

[At Ease]

Thanks for the info. Where did you find Alumaprep?

 

[Danny Troy]

I used the zinc chromate recommended prep last year and the recommended phantom black. When I hauled the boat at the end of the season I was surprised to find that a lot of the phantom black had come off. The primer held well though. This year I said I'm taking a different route, as I am in freshwater also, and also in CT. I used good old brush on Rust-Oleum (the pro version) and it looks almost as good as the spray job. I'll see how it holds. I have enough paint left in the quart can to use another two or three seasons, but hopefully I won't need it. Of course, your boat is a lot newer than mine, and you may not want to go the brush-on route.

 

[amberjack290]

You can get metal prep solution for aluminum at any good automotive paint supply store.

 

[SeaRay]

I had a hard time finding Zinc Chromate primer...was told that they no longer make it due to environmental reasons???

I finished mine with several coats of a marine grade clear coat. It really added a nice shine to the paint and provides another layer of protection.

 

[Don Sr]

I used the recommended Mercruiser paint repair process. It uses PPG automive paint available at any PPG store. You can find stores on there web site.

Refinishing procedure:​

This procedure should be used in refinishing MerCruiser sterndrives and transom
plates. This procedure will provide the most durable paint system available in the
field. The listed materials should be purchased from a local DITZLER
AUTOMOTIVE finish supply outlet. The minimum packaged quantity of each
material shown is sufficient to refinish several sterndrives and transom
assemblies.
1 QT. DX-533 Alumiprep #33 metal preparation
1 QT. DX-503 Alodine #1201 conversion coating
1 QT. DP-40 Non sanding Epoxy Primer zinc chromate primer
1 QT. DP-401 Catalyst for DP-40
1 QT. DAR-9000 Acrylic Enamel-black topcoat
1 Pt. DXR-80 Delthane Ultra-additive for acrylic enamel
1 QT. DTR-602 Acrylic Enamel Reducer-temperature range 70-90
degree F.​

PROCEDURE:​

1. Scuff sand to remove all blistered paint and roughen factory finish. Remove sanding dust.
2. Follow manufacturer's recommendations and instructions on the individual containers.
3. Apply DX-533 (Alumiprep #33) to clean and condition the aluminum.
4. Apply DX-503 (Alodine #1201) brush on chemical conversion coating for aluminum.
5. The DP-40 (Epoxy Chromate Primer) mixed with DP-401 Catalyst can now be applied. A
.75 mil film build is recommended.
NOTE: Allow 30 minute induction period for permeation of the epoxy chromate primer
and the catalyst prior to application.
6. The topcoat consists of DAR-9000 Acrylic Enamel Black and the DXR-80 Delthane Ultra
additive, and DTR-602 Reducer. It is a polyurethane acrylic enamel system which
provides fast drying, durability, high resistance to corrosion and good color and gloss​

retention.