Engine cowl scratch or faded

ciaranp · 27 April 2009, 17:01

HI THERE,

A friend of mine is about to purchase a boat and the engine cowl a mercury 90hp is scratched in a few places and the black colour is slightly faded in parts.

One of the scratches at the top is down to the metal.

Can he get the whole engine top engine cowl respayed the same colour again? how could this be done?buy the can of spray,paint or get a car body shop to spray it if they can match the colour.

can new decals be gotten again?

The engine seems perfect otherwise.

Thanks,
Ciaran

IBWET · 27 April 2009, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by ciaranp

HI THERE,

A friend of mine is about to purchase a boat and the engine cowl a mercury 90hp is scratched in a few places and the black colour is slightly faded in parts.

One of the scratches at the top is down to the metal.

Can he get the whole engine top engine cowl respayed the same colour again? how could this be done?buy the can of spray,paint or get a car body shop to spray it if they can match the colour.

can new decals be gotten again?

The Mercury black is 'very' black (if that makes sense) if you buy another black it will be obvious unless you are lucky, I think he’s looking for Phantom black.
Decals are dear; if you can learn how to mask off , it would be significantly cheaper to do that.
Buy a little Stopper for the scratch, rub with a block and not your fingers.
Position the cowl so he's spraying vertically downwards as much as poss (as a newby he'll get runs in the paint) If he does, tell him to wipe the run up the way with his finger straight away as flatting the result is a lot easier than flatting a run.
If he does it himself, the thing to remember is prep is 90% of a good job..

gibbo500 · 27 April 2009, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by ciaranp

can new decals be gotten again?

Yep and as IBWET said they aren't cheap. I just bought a full set for a Yamaha to the tune of £70.

Searider · 27 April 2009, 21:01

£100 - £150 for a bodyshop to repaint inc materials. They should be able to match.

£100 + for the decal set. Tricky to fit. Best done on the dining room table.

Have a word with your friendly Mercury dealer re availability of decals depending on the age of the engine.

codprawn · 27 April 2009, 22:32

Here is a little tip to hide a scratch in almost anything that's black - a magic marker!!!

It works suprisingly well - the markers that make you high when you sniff them are the ones to use............

Bigmuz7 · 27 April 2009, 22:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Here is a little tip to hide a scratch in almost anything that's black - a magic marker!!!

It works suprisingly well - the markers that make you high when you sniff them are the ones to use............

Maybe its just me codders.. others sometimes complain about your advice, but I sit and read .. and dont say too much .. but .. after reading the other comments in this thread,.. is that the best you can up with ?

A felt tip pen that gives you a buzz ?

jeez

Youve been sniffing too many of em mate

codprawn · 27 April 2009, 22:52

Don't knock it until you've tried it!!!

willk · 27 April 2009, 22:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

is that the best you can up with ?

A felt tip pen that gives you a buzz ?

jeez

Youve been sniffing too many of em mate

Now, I don't want to be seen as taking sides (

) or starting trouble (

) or agreeing with Codders (

) but don't knock the Magic Marker because I have used one to:

1. Cover chlorine damage to black clothing.

2. Flog a scratched black Astra to a bloke from Galway.

3. Put my name on my phone's freezer bag!

You keep 'em coming Codders

ciaranp · 27 April 2009, 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Here is a little tip to hide a scratch in almost anything that's black - a magic marker!!!

It works suprisingly well - the markers that make you high when you sniff them are the ones to use............

Just an ordinary permanent black marker?
Have you actually done this and had a successful result?

Where is the best place to get or order decals?

Downhilldai · 27 April 2009, 23:06

This sounds like an old Merc, if it has a metal 'hood'. Does your friend really want to be spending a lot of money painting it? He may find a tidy second hand cover for less money than the cost of refurb.

codprawn · 27 April 2009, 23:13

Yes I have done it but I don't have a clue how long it would last - especially on an outboard.

I helped out an old bloke who was displaying a fire engine at the Royal Welsh - it was immaculate and someone had scratched one of the black wheelspats - the white fibre glass showed underneath. He was panicking so I suggested the magic marker trick - he won a 1st.

It may be worth approaching a local sign writing company and seeing if they can shrink wrap the cowl for you like they do with vans. You could have any sort of custom job you could ever want then - turn it into an Optimax 300 if you want!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc1HWNv0zFw

By the time you have paid for a respray of the cowl and new decals it may be worth it.

This video shows what can be done - they even do complete boats!!!

ciaranp · 28 April 2009, 10:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

This sounds like an old Merc, if it has a metal 'hood'. Does your friend really want to be spending a lot of money painting it? He may find a tidy second hand cover for less money than the cost of refurb.

i thinks its a 2005 Mercury 90hp 4 stroke..

I'D say 2nd hand ones are hard to find.

9D280 · 28 April 2009, 11:53

Another alternative may be to make your own:

http://www.fox-transfers.co.uk/produ...r=701464263097

No idea of the longevity on an outboard cowl getting drenched with salt water, but the menu on the left takes you to full sized stick- on vinyls. Might be worth giving them a call?

I haven't used them, but found them when I was asking much the same question about my clamshell.... I have since decided to do a full strip & inspect following the Yam escapades (just search the posts!) and may try this once it's all back together........ Alternatively I may try Codders' pen trick first - much quicker & easier!

jyasaki · 28 April 2009, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by ciaranp

i thinks its a 2005 Mercury 90hp 4 stroke..

I'D say 2nd hand ones are hard to find.

If it's a 2005, it will be a plastic cowl, wouldn't it? I know my buddy's 2004 Merc 60 4-stroke is.

Personally, I don't worry too much about scratches on the motor. But, if he's detemined, treat it the same as you would a scratched car.

Decals should be readily available from a dealer (but they'll probably have to be ordered, and will be quite pricey.)

Searider · 30 April 2009, 16:49

It will be plastic.

havener · 05 May 2009, 11:31

Is it just me that gets really hacked off with the price of decals?

Just had a similar thing after the 4x4 rear needed respraying - £20 for a badge!!

We're advertising their flaming products, should the logos not be...er...free??

jyasaki · 05 May 2009, 17:04

Well, nobody said you had to have the badge on there...

jky