Lower Unit Painting - Advice Needed

[ChemGuy]

My lower unit is off to the shop getting re-sealed. While it is off the boat I thought it would be a good time to clean it up a bit and put a new coat of paint on it. Does any one have experience with this process? I'm interested in tips on surface prep and paint choice. Is the Tempo lower unit paint in "Johnson White" worth the extra $$$ from a durability standpoint? I'm sure the color match will be poor because of sun exposure on the rest of the motor. Is there a primer that seems to work better than others?

[Garett]

Now I don't know what sort of facilities you have in your neck of the woods, but if you have already come to terms with the paint color will be off, I'd get the lower unit powder coated. Now if you go this route, I'd ask the shop that is doing it what sort of prep work they want done and with what materials it should be done with.

To me, powder coating would be the best.

[scratcher]

The latest issue of Powerboat Reports has a writeup on their tests of lower-unit paints. I don't have it in front of me, but I'll try to track it down tonight and post their test results, or maybe someone here has it handy.

[gottaway]

Chemguy,
I used the aeresol spray paint to repaint my Volvo duo-prop last year. I stripped most of the old paint off and primed the unit with that green aluminum primer. Then I coatred with the clear antifoulant. The only problem is this year they discontinued the clear stuff. I don't know what else is out there to antifoul the outdrive. All I see is the Micron 33 which is only colored no clear.
Scratcher- that article would be very helpful if you can post up the results

[ChemGuy]

Thanks to everyone!

Scratcher - It looks like there is interest in that article beyond me so if you can dig it up that would be great.

Gottaway - I should have specified that this is a trailer boat so anti-fouling isn't an issue. It's good to hear you got decent results with a rattle can. I think that is how I am going to end up going.

Does any one think an epoxy paint would be worth it?

[gw204]

The Tempo paint is good stuff. If you have any exposed metal on the drive casing, lightly sand it and hit it with a zinc chromate primer. Lightly sand that and put a few top coats of the Tempo paint on and you will be good to go.

[MichaelJ1965]

I followed this method. You can get the alodine in small quantities from West Marine. The rest of the supplies from a local paint and body shop that carries the PPG line. They won't sell you the exact part number because it contains lead. The primer is an epoxy. Don't forget the hardener for the paint! A preval sprayer would probably work if you don't have a spraygun. You only need the minimum quantity's listed.
http://www.sterndrives.com/bulletins/mc/89/EN_014.PDF