Mercury Optimax Outboard Cowling Restoration Duplicolor Spraycan Failure

[@rceme74]

I have restored Cowlings in the past. I have used Duplicolor paints, and it never turned out. Temperature and humidity I think is the reason. Warmed the cowling to 75 degrees from the inside to ensure the temperature was equal all over. Manufacture paints seems to work better and flows easier. At the end factory fresh paint job, but preparation is everything.

[@timc8913]

Appreciate the honesty and sharing so others can learn. I have had similar experiences with projects in the past and gotten quite frustrated with the extra work required to get to the final product. Planning on repainting a Merc 60 hp cowling next week and will be using Mercruiser paint...hoping things go well. Will follow your prep techniques. Thks.

[@timc8913]

Well...the Mercruiser paint did the same thing as your Duplicolor. I also used Duplicolor primer and sanded smooth with 600 grit after two coats of primer. I guess I'll be spending the extra time like you with the 600/800/1000 + compound approach. I'm wondering if the problem was the Duplicolor primer...

[@teagansworld7903]

Looks like your efforts salvaged it. I've been doing a couple small hoods with the Behr Premium spray paint and decals from discontinued decals site. They turn out nice. I usually don't clearcoat though, just wet sand with 1000 grit and polish.

[@Natefrogg27]

Awesome job and recovery! I am going to be doing the same to my cowling that is the same size. I was wondering, how many cans of material would you have used between the primer, clear, and enamel if you were not having to go back and fix? Wondering how much of each can I should get.

[@Whalermansteve84]

I had the same issue while paining my Merc 15 .. paint started bubbling .. went outside the next day and it was a total mess. Had to grind all of it off

[@ExtremeDIYGuy]

What paint did you use?

[@Whalermansteve84]

@@ExtremeDIYGuy the duplicolor paint

[@SF-rl7hl]

The bubbling is from traces of old wax.

[@Showmethefish]

I remove all decals with a heat gun....most peel right off ... minimum effort

[@ExtremeDIYGuy]

I'll keep that in mind for the future thanks!

[@SF-rl7hl]

Easies way remove outboard decals is your wife's blow dryer. Just hear up a little get corner started and pull steady its so easy takes glue off too!

[@ExtremeDIYGuy]

Thats a good idea, thanks for the input

[@williampliss9879]

Hey some guys use blow dryers too, not me though. I don't even use a fingernail clipper, they just naturally get ground down because I barely wear gloves when I'm working outside haha. Or I just chew them off (my mom and wife hate it) haha