Commander Baby! [Painting questions]

[jerry-ahrens]

I have started working on another CC Commander for a winter project. I am about at the point that I need to paint the motor.I still need to strip and sand the gas tank, and that’s about it. I have the motor completely down to bare aluminum.
Since I have little experience with painting, here are a couple questions. I have the formula from another member for the correct PPG paint for a Commander. Can I use Zinc Chromate primer, or should I stick with the 2 part epoxy primer?? I have always used Zinc chromate [on aluminum] with excellent results using rattle cans. I also wondered if anyone else could tell me what paint they have used on Chris Craft outboards.
Here is my ”runner” Commander. It is original except for the polished recoil. I did this because someone before me already sanded this part down. The paint and decals are original. That’s why I chose not to restore it any further.

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[jeff-register]

Jerry,
I know nothing about paint but wanted to say nice rare motor & good luck with it.

[RICHARD A. WHITE]

I use Etching primer, most paint places have it in the rattlecan, and that is good enough for me…Just my .02 centavos

Regards

Richard

http://www.richardsoutboardtools.com
classicomctools@gmail.com

[beerman57]

Check out this high dollar one on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-antique … kn&vxp=mtr

[PugetSoundBoater]

That’s a beautiful motor. I use rattle can zinc chromate primer on clean bare aluminum that I cleaned with acetone then wiped with water and dried. Factory OMC rattle can paint in several light coats works great!

"Some people want to know how a watch works, others just want to know what time it is"
Robbie Robertson

[sailor58]

I would think that a PPG rep could tell you which PPG primer should be used for aluminum. PPG won’t warranty their paint if its put on over somebody else’s primer.
Larry

[jpatti75]

I personally have had much better luck with epoxy primer than the current Zinc Phosphate (can’t get Chromate anymore) self etching primers. PPG sells a variety of 2-part epoxy primers that go with their various paints. Just pay close instructions to the application. Once mixed, the pot life is only a couple hours and if you wait longer than 3 hours to apply paint over the primer, you’ll have scuff the dried primer with a Scotch Brite pad.

I don’t think you’ll regret using the epoxy primer — I personally think it has better adhesion to aluminum than a lot of the self-etching primers being sold today. Just my humble opinion!

JP

[jerry-ahrens]

I appreciate the reply’s. I can still get the Zinc Chromate primer from my distributor, so I was just curious what others thought about using it. It works well if you are touching up a lower unit with the OEM rattle can paint. Since I am going to spring for the good paint I want to make sure I get everything right. I will go ahead and use the recomended PPG primer.
Do you guys like the gravity feed paint guns, or is the old stlyle one OK? I have a good one I bought years ago along with an inline moisture filter. Thanks!

[jpatti75]

I do like the gravity feed guns, Jerry, but I have had good luck with the traditional style, too.

JP

[Indian Group Leader]

Hi Jerry,

It has been a long time since we met at a Texas Chapter meet. I am surprised that you have not contacted Lee Holland about this issue. I believe he still serves as the Chris-Craft Special Interest Group Leader and I am sure he knows where to get the paint, primer, and decals. Regardless, enjoy your Commander. It is a great addition to your collection.

Tom

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