Gear Housing; Decal Removal; Surface Preparation; Application Temperature - Mercury FourStroke 2.5 Service Manual

General Information

Gear Housing

The following procedures should be used in refinishing gear housings. This procedure will provide the most durable paint
system available in the field. The materials recommended are of high quality and approximate marine requirements. The
following procedure will provide a repaint job that compares with a properly applied factory paint finish. It is recommended the
listed materials be purchased from a local Ditzler Automotive Finish Supply Outlet. The minimum package quantity of each
material shown following is sufficient to refinish several gear housings.
1. Wash the gear housing with a muriatic acid base cleaner to remove any type of marine growth, and rinse with water.
2. Wash the gear housing with soap and water. Rinse with clean water.
3. Sand blistered area with 3M 180 grit sandpaper or P180 Gold Film Disc to remove paint blisters only. Feather edge all
broken paint edges.
4. Clean gear housing thoroughly with DX‑330 Wax and Grease Remover.
5. Spot repair surfaces where bare metal is exposed with DX‑503 Alodine Treatment.
IMPORTANT: Do not use aerosol spray paints as the paint will not properly adhere to the surface, nor will the coating be
sufficiently thick to resist future paint blistering.
6. Mix Epoxy Chromate Primer DP‑90LF with equal part catalyst DP‑402LF per the manufacturer's instructions. Allow proper
induction period for permeation of the epoxy primer and catalyst.
7. Allow a minimum of one hour drying time and no more than one week before the top coat application.
8. Use Ditzler Urethane DU9300 for Mercury Black, DU34334 for Mariner Grey, DU35466 for Force Charcoal, DU33414M for
Sea Ray White, and DFHS 37372H for Verado Silver. Catalyze all five colors with Ditzler DU5 catalyst mixed 1:1 ratio.
Reduce with solvents per Ditzler label.
Continuous exposure to airborne particles such as chemical vapors, dust, or spray can cause serious injury or death. Ensure
that the work area is properly ventilated and wear protective eyeware, clothing, and respirators.
NOTE: Apply one half to one mil even film thickness with a spray gun. Allow the paint to flash off for five minutes before
applying the second even coat of one half to one mil film thickness. Urethane paint will dry to the touch in a matter of
hours, but will remain sensitive to scratches and abrasions for a few days.
9. The type of spray gun used will determine the proper reduction ratio of the paint.
IMPORTANT: Do not paint the sacrificial anode.
10. Cut out a cardboard plug for trim tab pocket to keep paint off of mating surface to maintain good continuity circuitry
between trim tab and gear housing.

Decal Removal

1. Mark decal location before removal to assure proper alignment of new decal.
2. Carefully soften decal and decal adhesive with a heat gun or heat blower while removing old decal.
3. Clean decal contact area with a 1:1 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water.
4. Thoroughly dry decal contact area and check for a completely cleaned surface.

Surface Preparation

Application Temperature

Apply the decal when the surface and ambient air temperature is between 16–37.3 °C (61–99 °F).
NOTE: Applying the decal near the minimum temperature specification, the adhesive bond will develop more slowly than
temperature in the mid to upper specification range.

Step One General Cleaning

IMPORTANT: Do not shortcut the cleaning process. All of the surfaces are considered contaminated prior to a thorough surface
cleaning preparation.
1. Mix a solution of 29.5 cc (1 fl oz) Joy or Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent with 3.7 Liter (4 US qt) of warm water.
2. Rinse cowl with clean water.
3. Dry the cowl with a clean Meguiar's Supreme Shine Microfiber Towel.
4. Avoid detergents or preparations that contain waxes, oils, or lotions.

Step Two Solvent Cleaning

1. Mix a solution of isopropyl alcohol and water to a 1:1 ratio. Store in a spray bottle and identify the solution with a label.
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90-8M0065421 NOVEMBER 2012