Is it better to powder coat an out drive for marine use than to have it repainted?

volvo penta outdrive pivot housing is cruddy looking, so i'm going to have it blasted and re-coated... i was wondering if powder coating would be better than having it painted like it came from the factory... i've had a couple of people say to have it painted rather than powder coated but i don't know why...Is it better to powder coat an out drive for marine use than to have it repainted?
Powder coat is made of metal and may cause less noble(softer) metals like zinc and aluminum to corrode rapidly because of a galvanic reaction.


Do not paint the zincs they are made to corrode first.Is it better to powder coat an out drive for marine use than to have it repainted?
Awlgrip it.
nothing is better than powder coating it will far outlast paint any day.
I always painted mine.. It will slowly come off ... Just paint it again...
i own a repair shop,and powder coating don't hold up well being in water it dulls down real bad, and a good paint will out last it i the water,i do some work like this once in a while,and id paint it,much easier and better to do,good luck with it,i hope this help,s.
Power coat is usually more durable and has a much higher resistance to heat. And it will not scratch nearly as easily as any paint. Plus, paint is a pain. I like the way power coat looks.
Repaint it with the same paint you used on your bottom (below the water line) if you are planning to leave it in the water you will get less growth on the drive(s) than powder coating. If it is a trailer type boat then go ahead and powder coat it.
Powder coat will not fare very well in a hostile marine environment. Repainting (after careful prep work) will save you $ in the long run.





Good Luck
Why not gel coat it like the bottom paint on a boat?
The reason paint is on the outdrive is because of the reaction between salt water and electricity. If you did not have those anodes on your lower unit your whole unit would rust off and fall into the gulf. Each manufacturer sells their own factory paint. It is expensive but better buy it. I repaint all the bad spots every year. Never paint over the zinc anodes on your outdrive.