Silver Gray MERCURY VERADO Paint 8M0132061

Paint MERCURY VERADO SILVER

450 ml aerosol

For silver gray gearcases on VERADO outboard motors

References: 8M0132061

Does your Mercury lower unit air faded? It is not uncommon for the paint to wear down to the bare metal of the fin and lower gear case of an outboard or Z-drive, especially if your boating adventures frequently bring your fin into contact with sand, gravel or abrasive bottoms. One of the functions of the fin at the front of the propeller is to protect your expensive propeller from an abrasive bottom, so it is natural that the paint can wear off. Once this paint is gone, the bare aluminum surfaces are more prone to corrosion, especially if you are sailing in salt water. If your boat is equipped with a stainless steel propeller and you sail in salt water, the bare aluminum on the gear case is very close to the propeller and increases the risk of damaging galvanic corrosion. Retouching the paint on your gear case will make it look better and may increase its resale value.

Authorized Mercury dealers offer the finest Mercury Precision Care® paint products for do-it-yourself touch-up of any Mercury® or MerCruiser® gear case, including convenient aerosol cans of Mercury Light Grey Primer and other colors that match the original Phantom Black Verado®. Silver, Cold Fusion White and Warm Fusion White and Pearl. Mercury paint products match the exact color and finish of the original factory-applied Mercury or MerCruiser paint, and each is also specially formulated for the marine environment, with UV blockers not typically found in standard hardware store spray paints. This is particularly important if your outboard motor boat is frequently moored with its engine tilted upwards and exposed to the sun.

Preparation is important

As with any painting project, a quality result begins with careful preparation of the surface before applying the paint.

Remove the propeller to protect it from paint splashes and cover the drive shaft with a cloth or newspaper.

Clean the area to be touched up by removing all oil, wax, grease, salt or other marine build-up with a suitable marine cleaner such as Mercury all-purpose spray cleaner or a solvent-type wax remover, degreaser or naphtha.

If the exposed aluminum is pitted or has paint blisters, start by sanding the affected area with 180- or 220-grit sandpaper. Feather the edges into the surrounding paint with 320-grit sandpaper by hand. Finally, use a medium-grit scuff pad (available at paint or hardware stores) to scratch the bare aluminum and paint back to about 1 inch outside the damaged area to help the paint bond. Wipe one last time with a wax and grease remover or naphtha. Lightly remove dust with a tack cloth.

Prime the area with Mercury Light Grey Primer, following the instructions on the box. Once the primer is dry, rub lightly with a medium-grit abrasive pad to apply the edge of the spray into the surrounding paint to promote adhesion. Do not sand through the primer.

Apply the appropriate color of Mercury paint, following the instructions on the can. For best results, hold the spray can 8 to 10 inches from the work surface while spraying. Apply several thin, even coats rather than one heavy coat. Let the paint set for 10 to 20 minutes between coats.

For a superior finish, apply a coat of Mercury Leveler before the final color coat dries. The leveler is not required for a durable paint finish, but it can help smooth out imperfections. Wait at least 24 hours for the final coat to harden before launching the boat.

An annual touch-up with quality Mercury paint products provides important protection for your engine's lower block and keeps your equipment in good condition.

Advice from the pro

Never paint over sacrificial anodes because the anode material must be in direct contact with the water to provide corrosion protection. Mask or remove an anode if you need to paint nearby.

When you have finished using a Mercury aerosol paint product, clean the nozzle by turning the can upside down and pressing the spray button until it is clear. This will prevent dried paint from clogging the nozzle before the next use.