Painting an outboard motor cover

BoatCrazy

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My current Johnson motor cover has some issues. The decals are peeling, the paint is chipped. I plan on sanding the decals off and sanding the cover down with an orbital sander.

What grit sand paper do you all suggest, any tips, or suggestions ???
 
I would scuf it with 180 or 220. Then prime, sand, color shoot, color sand, clear coat, sand to 2000 grit, polish and wax
 
Im not looking for a professional job. Im using the spray paint that they sell in the marine stores.

When you say color sand, what do you mean by that? Im a newbie at painting...
 
You might want to try duplicolor spray paints. They make some nice automotive grade paints and a nice spray can clear coat. Their web site has some tutorials.
 
If the decals are the stick on variety like vinyl boot stripes, an eraser wheel will take them off pretty quick. They are about $10 at a hardware store.
 
KIDA, I used the eraser and it worked perfectly, thank you!

The priming is done, the painting is done, the sanding is done. I want to add some more clear cote to the cover to give it some added protection.

Can anyone suggest a good clear cote??
 
Do you have a spray gun? or do you want to use spray can stuff. For spray can, Duplicolor Truck, van and SUV clear is a great product. 2 part clear coats need special spray guns and a big compressor to run them. Alternately, you can take the cover to an auto body shop and ask them to clear it for you.
 
I dont have a spray gun. I spoke to a couple of body shops and 2 of them didnt want to touch this project, and 3 of them wanted over 150 bucks
 
It is possible to make an old one look like new!! This one had been residing in Thud's barn!!
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Here's another
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WOW!!!!

That is beautiful. Complete night and day, looks amazing!!!

I wish mine came out as good as that
 
A good paint job isn't cheap. And clear coating is expensive because you usually have to wet sand and buff to make it look nice. If you want a decent, cheap job, use the duplicolor paints and clear coat. Its all in the prep work. Is the cover fiberglass? $150 for a clear coat is not a lot of money by the way. I do airbrushing and am a fellow Long Islander(close to Amityville), so let me know if you need any thing regarding this project.
 
BC: Color sand is just taking really fine (1200-2000 grit) wet paper and wet sanding the color coats to smooth out any bumps or drips before shooting the next coat
 
BLUE, thanks for the offer, its much appreciated. The cover is pretty much done, Im just waiting on the decals to come. I have a couple cans of clear cote that I am going to spray. Considering this was my first paint job, Im very pleased with how the cover has come out. Its not a professional job, but my main goal was to just get the cover cleaned up and I accomplished that.

Thanks for all the help, Ive I knew how to post pics I would do so.
 
quote:

Originally posted by BoatCrazy

BLUE, thanks for the offer, its much appreciated. The cover is pretty much done, Im just waiting on the decals to come. I have a couple cans of clear cote that I am going to spray. Considering this was my first paint job, Im very pleased with how the cover has come out. Its not a professional job, but my main goal was to just get the cover cleaned up and I accomplished that.

Thanks for all the help, Ive I knew how to post pics I would do so.






e-mail them to me. In the interest of expediency, I'll post them for you, then walk you through the process.
 
Thanks, that would be awesome. I tried e-mailing you thru here, but Les hasnt updated me with my anchor so its not allowing me to email you. Whats your e-mail and Ill send them outside of boatered.

Its much appreciated! thanks
 
Here are the pics, not the greatest as they were taken with my blackberry..

CoverBefore.jpg


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Cover2.jpg


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Im just waiting for my new decals to come in. They look pretty much the same as the original ones..Once I get the decals, Im going to replace the gasket on the bottom of the cover. Though I cant seem to find them anywhere..Any ideas where to get them??
 
That project turned out very nice. You should be pleased.
 
Thanks Kurt. Im very pleased. What an experience. It turned out better then I had thought, it was a lot of fun. I worked on it a little bit here and there. Now I cant wait to paint the engine itself!
 
Good job .. you can be proud!! As for the gasket .. try E-bay ... or Goggle "Antique Outboards" .. there are many sites there that have parts for old motors.
 
Thanks Pete..

I have to go to an OMC parts dealer sometime this week so I am going to see if they can get one.. Im hesitent to buy parts online, most of the time theres no one to talk to on those sites.. So we shall see
 
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