[HAM] Looking for an original upper front strip for C3

[Doug Brydges]

Actually, powder-coating is not the only durable finish option. You can use an auto-body paint made by Dupont called "Centari" - Acrylic Enamel (99-A Black). You add a hardener to the paint when thinning it for use in a pro-quality paint spray gun (I use a devilbiss).

I did a lot of auto painting back in the early 70s (including a lot of airbrush work on just about anything that rolls) and have kept all my tools, so I refinish everything myself rather than take it to a shop.

I recently used the Centari to refinish the Mercruiser Alpha One outdrives on our boat. Actually Mercruiser recommended using an epoxy-based finish but the auto paint supplier I dealt with suggested the Centari would do as well or better under harsh environmental conditions (in the water from late May to early October).

I was quite surprised at the toughness of the paint after it had cured for a few days - just as though it had been baked on at the factory. It is a bit more brittle though,  so it does chip easily if whacked with something sharp. But it does give a superior gloss.

The only drawbacks in using this paint is that you need an air compressor & pro paint spray gun, the smallest quantity the paint comes in is a U.S. quart, and you also need to buy a pint (smallest quantity available) of the hardener and a quart of the special thinner. As well, you need to use a properly filtered face mask when using this stuff as it pretty volatile (cancer causing carcenogens).

It's just great if you have all this stuff in your own personal home shop - or if you have a good buddy who works at a boady shop and who can either get you some left-over materials or spray it for you in his spare time.

Doug B (keyrocks)
>
> From: John Doyle <bluespianoman at comcast.net>
> Date: 2003/06/19 Thu PM 06:11:30 EST
> To: hammond at zeni.net
> Subject: Re: [HAM] Looking for an original upper front strip for C3
>
> Refinishing the metal strip is a pain in the ass. You need to strip it and have it powdercoated. It's the only finish that will last.<<

> JD