Painting a cowling

[Juan]

I've got a spare Honda cowling for my skiff that's faded and in need of a paint job.. Just to have something to do, I'm going to try to put a custom paint job on it but I don't want to spend a fortune since it is just a spare cowling. Who has painted their entire cowling and what kind of paint and process did you take?

[985crabs]

I thought Skeeter did, but I could be mistaken.


Custom job, huh, you going to put an elephant on there or something?

[mosquito13]

I used OME Yamaha I think . Looks good, little darker then the 16 year old original paint on the sides. Only regret is that I did not go for one or two more coats of clear and sanded the tape line better between coats. Ghost flames rock. A buddy runs a paint shop check out his portfolio for inspiration ! He did my pit bike for the track and shows.

www.pmansclassiccyclepaint.com/portfolio/


constitution tank hand lettered in correct script...

[Juan]

Thanks skeeter. I'm not planning on anything fancy. I'm thinking..New paint, new Honda decals in two colors and dragon decals. I've got a compressor and spray gun but don't want to go that route on a small project like a Honda outboard cowling so I'm wondering if spray cans do a decent job. What primer and clear coat did you use?

[gnrphil]

Ummm Dragon decals, that gives me an idea.

[Juan]

Is that your old artillery battery's unit crest? I like it. Both of the artillery units I served in have ugly crests so I'm going with the dragon.

1st Battalion, 21st Field Arty.....M102 towable 105 mm howitzers


2nd Battalion 18th Field Arty.... 8 inch (203 mm) M110 self-propelled howitzers

[gnrphil]

It sure is , awarded to the Battery in 1842, here's a little of the history.
In early 1841 the Battery was part of an expeditionary force sent to China to quell the mutinous Chinese in what later became known as the first China war. The Battery was equipped with various guns, 12 pdr howitzers, 9 pounder guns and 5 1/2" mortars, all of which had to be dragged for miles across swamp and paddy fields by manpower alone. At the first major siege of the war at Canton, such was the preliminary bombardment by the Madras Artillery, that the town surrendered just before the main assault and the inhabitants were allowed to evacuate the town on the payment of a fine of 6 million dollars.
The war dragged on with periodic clashes until the last engagement on 21st July 1842 when the fortified city of Chin - Kiang - Foo was stormed. The guns were dragged into action only 400 yards from the enemy. After bringing down effective artillery fire, the gunners joined the infantry storming the walls and driving the enemy back until all resistance ceased. The Chinese agreed to peace terms the following month and the Governor General of India published a special order of the day entitling the batteries of the Madras Artillery to wear the insignia of a Dragon with an imperial crown and the word China on all their appointments.

[Juan]

Can you tell I'm a dragon fan?

[freezerfiller]

Yeah, just use factory paint out of a spray can. Don't get in a hurry, and thin is better than thick. If you're not happy you can run some polishing compound until you are. I was really impressed with how the one I did came out.

[Juan]

Got the hard part done... (removing the old decals).

[Juan]

Getting closer to a finishing both cowlings... Ordered custom HONDA MARINE decals and got them on this afternoon. Still waiting on my dragon decals.

[RunninLate]

When I bought my Mako it had a piece together 1999 OMC out-drive 115 motor. The cowling was all scratched up and looked like hell. Decided that I was going to paint it. Sanded a bunch, primed it then painted it. Never could get the fiber glass patterns out of the paint. Repeated the process and the same result. Also, I tried to make the cowling 2 tone but trying to get the line straight on the slant of the motor was impossible. Ended up painting the whole motor white.

[Juan]

Finished! I think it turned out great.

[985crabs]

Looks great. Good job by you.