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2025 Mercury 115 powder coat issue on cav plate

M

Mercury2025115

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Hi guys, has anyone had issues with powder coating on new Mercury outboard lower units or cavitation plates chipping off?

I have a new outboard and I and unsure what caused it, but the coating is chipping and looks like a possible adhesion issue. I can actually chip it off with my fingernail and it seems quite thick, and deleminating like it hasn’t adhered to the primer properly. I’ve been told Mercury have never seen it before, so just wondering if anyone else has experienced this?
 
Have two 2023 Verado's and both have same issue, starboard side more than port. Mine were fixed under warranty which went out this month. Looks like all the dealer did was take a rattle can to it, so pretty sure it will peal off again.
 
Maybe they are experimenting with different paint types. I bought a new 1988 top of the line Ford half ton (F150) and that was about the time the industry was going from petroleum based auto paints to water based. Within the first year the paint kept flecking off. I took it to a Ford dealer and he performed the litmus test: Took a piece of duct tape, stuff you use on central AC attic pipes, and smoothed it out on the top of the cab. Pulled it off and paint chips came with it.

The dealer said they would paint it for free in their spare time. He also asked me what else needs fixing...the rear tank float/sending unit/or gauge quit working and I had some problem with the emission system under the hood at the back of the engine....forget what that was. They fixed the problems right away and put me in line for the paint job. Not too long (days) after the repairs were finished, I got a call and they were ready for the truck. I was provided with a loaner (free) for the duration of the painting which took a couple of weeks due to it being done in free time from regular activities. Couldn't gripe about how the dealer handled Ford's paint problem. That was my last Ford.
 
boscoe said:
Not an uncommon event with Mercury lower units.
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Starting in what model year and what engines. I've been running Mercs. since around 1978 and never had a problem. Latest engine was 2002 and sold it last year with the boat....retired from fishing due to my age.
 
AllDodge said:
Have two 2023 Verado's and both have same issue, starboard side more than port. Mine were fixed under warranty which went out this month. Looks like all the dealer did was take a rattle can to it, so pretty sure it will peal off again.
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Was yours peeling off, or chipping? Peeling off would be a prepping problem. Did you hear of Merc changing from enamel to something else?
 
jimn said:
Was yours peeling off, or chipping? Peeling off would be a prepping problem. Did you hear of Merc changing from enamel to something else?
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Chip/peel it basically started flaking off. Under the silver paint is shinny black paint, no sanding marks or anything showing it was prepped
 
AllDodge said:
Chip/peel it basically started flaking off. Under the silver paint is shinny black paint, no sanding marks or anything showing it was prepped
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How large are the areas where the paint peeled off? Chipping is different from peeling- usually small pock marks from gravel or something else that's harder than the paint. Peeling is paint coming off for no apparent reason, or something like tape being peeled off and the paint comes off with the tape.

Was this new when you bought it?
 
jimn said:
Was yours peeling off, or chipping? Peeling off would be a prepping problem. Did you hear of Merc changing from enamel to something else?
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Last time I noticed a comment about it, they use Phantom Black LACQUER! If that's true and somebody decided to paint over the OEM paint, with who knows what preparation and using a rattle can of Enamel, then there's a good possibility about having this problem.....IMHO......untested.
 
AllDodge said:
Good grief
Yes it was almost the entire top of one side of the Vent plate

Yes, I bought the boat brand new
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Is the motor still under warranty?

If the layer under the color coat is shiny, I would contact Mercury about it. If it wasn't sanded and primed, there's no way the paint should stick. I haven't been able to find the instructions for the spray cans of their paint, but I'll post a photo of the can, later- I have some Phantom Black from a few years ago when I painted my outdrive but I haven't used the boat enough to know if it will stick permanently, but I did sand before painting.
 
Texasmark said:
Last time I noticed a comment about it, they use Phantom Black LACQUER!
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Enamel, and it shouldn't matter if the original coating had been prepped properly. Lacquer takes too long to fully harden and the EPA doesn't allow large-scale use of Nitrocellulose lacquer unless specific VOC collection is used.

The link below is from Mercury and it includes:

"If the exposed aluminum is pitted or shows paint blisters, start by sanding the affected area with 180 or 220 grit sandpaper. Feather edges into the surrounding paint with 320 grit sandpaper by hand. Finally, use a medium grit abrasive pad (available from paint or hardware stores) to scuff the bare aluminum and the paint to approximately 1 inch outside of the damaged area to aid paint adhesion. Complete a final wipe with a wax and grease remover or naphtha. Lightly remove dust with a tack rag."

Even after primer, it shows that sanding is necessary.

 
Mercury2025115 said:
This is actually a really thick coating. It’s almost 2mm thick.
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I can't imagine how they would achieve a 2mm thick coating. Is it possible that the dealer painted it before selling the boat, or possibly taking a lower GC from one and putting it on yours? 2mm is really thick, for sprayed paint.
 
I know they didn't do much of any prep, the silver paint on top is not even smooth, it's rough and has some over spray. They rattle canned it most likely outside
 
AllDodge said:
I know they didn't do much of any prep, the silver paint on top is not even smooth, it's rough and has some over spray. They rattle canned it most likely outside
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I think I would contact the dealer and find out what the H happened- you're referring to the most recent repair, right? As someone who has worked for three dealers repairing boats, I can't imagine being satisfied if I had done something this way. If they sprayed it oputside, the least they could have done is wait for the wind to stop. I sprayed mine outside and it came out well, although I didn't wet sand and polish it.
 
If these are the silver painted bottom half engines. STOP. Ask your dealer for a copy of service bulletin Outboard No. 2024-10R1
This is a special issue with the silver paint. If you are still within the original warranty period, act now! This is one of the things that's NOT covered under the extended warranty.
The black you see under the silver is EDP base coat. The S.B. details the refinishing procedure, it is different from the black gearcases. The paint used in the repair is a special 2 part aerosol can. you break a seal on the can and catalyst mixes with the paint and you have 6 hours to get the 4 coats on.
 
muc said:
If these are the silver painted bottom half engines. STOP. Ask your dealer for a copy of service bulletin Outboard No. 2024-10R1
This is a special issue with the silver paint. If you are still within the original warranty period, act now! This is one of the things that's NOT covered under the extended warranty.
The black you see under the silver is EDP base coat. The S.B. details the refinishing procedure, it is different from the black gearcases. The paint used in the repair is a special 2 part aerosol can. you break a seal on the can and catalyst mixes with the paint and you have 6 hours to get the 4 coats on.
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They are silver and warranty I think ends this month.
Dealer (in Somerset) said they were told how to do it, but my guess is I'll be doing this again in the future
 
Hey @muc and to add more to the dealer side.

I was removing the props to change from the 19P Rev 4 to 21P Mirage plus. Trying to remove the starboard prop I had to get a breaker bar to loosen it, the Port side where new leg was installed came off as usual with standard 1/2 ratchet.

When looking at the washers the Port side was installed incorrectly. See pic

And torqued to 55.3 ftlb on re-install
prop nuts.jpg
 
Last edited:
Looks like someone got confused.

Should be
prop
thick washer
Belleville washer - concave side facing forward
flat washer
nut

looks like your port Belleville washer got damaged? might want to get a new one.

Do you have the FLO-TORQ II HD SOLID HUB KIT? If so that washer is only available in 840383A 2 Prop nut and washer kit.
Maybe the dealer or Merc would want to pick up the cost?
 
Yes it's Flo-Torq II HD solid hub kit

Used Youtube to figure out how to remove.
Had paper left on boat showing how to re-install and torque spec. I could see the belleville placed it as it should be done. Also sent same pic to dealer with a note to advise who ever installed it to let them know without something to show up on their record

Will give them a call tomorrow to see what they say

Thanks for the heads up
 
muc said:
If these are the silver painted bottom half engines. STOP. Ask your dealer for a copy of service bulletin Outboard No. 2024-10R1
This is a special issue with the silver paint. If you are still within the original warranty period, act now! This is one of the things that's NOT covered under the extended warranty.
The black you see under the silver is EDP base coat. The S.B. details the refinishing procedure, it is different from the black gearcases. The paint used in the repair is a special 2 part aerosol can. you break a seal on the can and catalyst mixes with the paint and you have 6 hours to get the 4 coats on.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that info.

Is the base coat supposed to be high gloss?
 
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