Having recently had 7 great outboard engines at my brand brand new Tohatsu outboard (well, it”s eighteen months old! ) I actually have been somewhat alarmed to locate that this when pristine and lovely beast has the truth is at this tender age begun already to suffer typically the ravages of living outdoors in sunlit Queensland. I took place to have a bit associated with a look close to and possess started in order to find quite a lot of locations where the terrifying corrosion has commenced its evil job.
I got quite engaged to determine around typically the marina that many outboards are still quite young but are usually suffering quite terribly from your combined results of wind in addition to weather. Most outboard engines (unless used for full period cruising) probably just run about sixty odd hours the year, so it”s fairly popular among find them in reasonably ropey physical problem whilst mechanically they will are have hardly done a good day”s work.
The outboard engine manufacturers conduct a sterling work generally keeping typically the elements out by simply using several levels of good good quality primers and toughened paints but normally after a while in general employ, chips, knocks marks and minor accident take their fee on the fresh paint. Once this kind of precious seal towards the weather is definitely compromised, salt could reach the exposed metal and also rapidly, the corrosion packages to work.
The engine manufacturers make use of the best kind off of aluminum alloys accessible both for economy and especially lightness nevertheless as we all know lightweight aluminum is extremely susceptible to saltwater corrosion. You might be all doubtless familiar with the dreaded montage that appear upon the paintwork, a few intact, some damaged plus the familiar whitish-grey powder that seems. This of course is corundum or hydroxide, in order to choose!
If this slippery slope to wreck continues it will not be well before the engine will probably be beyond the stage of redemption thus some prompt motion is needed on the part.
THE PREPARATION
Generally speaking the theory is to get typically the engine off the particular boat and it”s pretty essential to obtain it somewhere dried out and out of the weather. Even so, this is not necessarily critical as long as the weather condition is dry and it”s not planning to be damp or damp while this will unquestionably prevent any of the desired result through happening. Naturally, several large outboards can not be taken off of the boat and will have to become dealt with in situ, once again, an appropriate out of the particular weather spot need to be found.
ESSENTIAL TOOLS
Not many gear are required with this job and typically the following should always be included.
* Electrical drill.
* Selection of wire brushes equally hand and rotary for removal regarding dirt, scale, oxides, flaky paint.
3. Collection of wet and even dry sandpaper varying from 150 in order to around 1200.
2. A sandable Epoxy two pack putty for filling, an array of spatulas for application and mixing. There are several choices out presently there inside the markets plus your local hardware store will recommend this.
PAINT.
The majority of outboard engine manufacturers have all involving the range of squirt cans available for contact up jobs although where an affordable amount is needed, it is usually possible to obtain a really great match in you local Auto superstore. Primer is usually Zinc Chromate structured but care need to be taken not to inhale the smells. Needless to claim a really fine mask system have to be used although spray painting plus all the normal precautions should always be taken whilst working with flammable liquids this sort of as thinners and so on. A new couple of actually fine paint brushes works extremely well for feel ups and reaching the rare areas. (the paint can certainly be sprayed from the can into the spray can plastic-type lid for this specific job. )
2. A Spray may of paint removal.
* A partners of small documents to reach unavailable places
DECALS
Substitute decals for outboard motors are unbelievably overpriced and I cannot, for the life of me personally, see why. My advice is to ignore all of them completely and if they are not too poor, mask them upward carefully and if necessary, touch them upwards yourself. Failing this particular, it is probable to get replacements made at the community computerized sign store. Outboard engine stockists and manufacturers take note: We usually are sick and tired of getting cleaned up with your stupidly priced decals!
JUST WHAT WE DO.
The first job is to really make confident the engine is definitely cleaned as thoroughly as possible and remove all remnants of oil, petroleum, grease and grime utilizing a degreaser wherever needed. Hose all the way down all loose dirt and dry away thoroughly.
Remove all anodes and store them away or perhaps buy new ones!
When the motor is usually dry, gently remove all traces involving loose and flaking paint, rust plus any salty deposits on the calf and motor. This is certainly done using the particular electric drill and wire brushes.
NOTE: Carry out not overspeed typically the drill or force too hard for the soft aluminum blend as it is relatively soft plus can be broken quickly. The color coating is generally quite thin and easily removed.
Time has come to mix up the for filler injections and complete all the dings in addition to damaged areas associated with the motor. Keep to cure thoroughly and even when cured sand back smooth making use of the assorted degrees of wet and even dry. When happy, blow away just about all dust with some sort of compressor or just hand brush away all the dust. Final finishing will show up any further areas to complete.
Again hose away all residue plus dry it out completely.
Mask up any areas that do not will need to be sprayed, far better to mask now in order to try to clean off of the overspray afterwards on!
PRIMER COATS.
There is no more set plan while to the amount of jackets of primer to spray on nevertheless within reason, the particular more coats you may afford to set on, the higher the final protection is going to be and the much better finish you can attain. You might have all heard of this saying, “It”s bleary the preparation” in this instance, nothing could be truer!