TOPIC: Merc 1000 touch up

I'd like to touch up the paint on this 1965 Mercury 1000 until I can restore it. Who knows what type of paint and the color to use?

Here's some old info I saved for the Mercury Phantom Black paint forumula, hope it helps..........ed



Mercury Service Bulletin 97-15

Phantom Black Paint Codes:

(Ditzler Paints):

DU9300 (Top Coat);

DAU-2 (Catalyst);

DP 90 (Black Primer);

DP401 (Catalyst for Primer)



Other info from Screamandfly:

www.screamandfly.com/showthread.php?58956-Mercury-Phantom-Black

The proper paint for Mercury's Phantom Black is Ditzler Urethane DU9000. Catalyze with Ditzler DU5 catalyst mixed at a 1:1 ratio.

If you are going to spend the time and do it right spend a littel more on the paint.

Everyone looks as paint cost so much, however the labor you spend doing the job along with paper adds up. Nothing like having the motor look great and then it sitting in the water and the paint starts to bubble up and come off because you used a cheaper paint.

These guys have some great products and are very reasonable

www.effenaco.com/store/category.php

And their price is right where the guy from north of the border price is always 1 to 3% higher on the exchange rate than what my 2 banks tells me

Thanks Ed and TallTexan I appreciate the quality information.

Good paint jobs are totally dependent on the prep work regardless of what paint is used. Aluminum must be etched before painting and the correct waterproof epoxy primers used, or it will peel faster than a banana skin. Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts to a good long lasting paint job, just good prep.

for touch ups I buy phantom black from my local merc dealer

I repainted my entire 63 1000 using rattle cans of merc phantom black and mer clear coat from the merc dealer. Note that I had disassembled the motor for other work.

As noted above, prep is the key. I cleaned the surfaces, sanded them smooth, then cleaned them again. I used hand degreaser/cleaner (like Go-Jo that you would use to clean your greasy hands) to remove heavy grease. Smear it on, let is sit, then used hands and a brush to losen the grease, and wipe it off. Then dawn dish-washing liquid to clean further. Let it dry and did the dawn again. Sanded the surfaces smooth, cleaned them again with Dawn. I used a degreaser and it was way to toxic for me to deal with in my basement shop.

I sprayed two coats of an etching primer, three of phantom black, then two of clear coat. I let the paint dry for at least three days between coats. Still looks great after three seasons, including use in salt water use as well.

More info than you need for a touch up, but perhaps some good tips

Thanks gf, Pony and Peter for the good information. You can't get too much. I've got my paint ordered and now it is just a matter of finding the time.