Repainting cowl

I was going to take the cowl from my 87 Rude to a body shop to get it repainted.
But since I have a lot more time than money this year, it looks like it's going to be a DIY job for the winter. If I could get a few questions answered, it would be very helpful.

Most of the paint on the cowl is intact. There is one area about 3 X 4" that has flaked off - down to the white shell, along with a handful of chips and scratches. Do I need to sand all of the paint off, or do i fill the chipped and flaked areas and sand it even with the old paint?

I want to brush or roll the paint, since I will be doing the work in the basement. Since it's a small project I should be able to keep a wet edge on the paint, and don't mind doing a lot of painting & wet sanding (I'll have all winter). Any suggestions on paint? I have an auto paint distributor, West Marine, and a big distributor of fiberglass & boat paints within driving distance.

Anyone know of a good source for decals? They don't have to be exactly the same as the originals, but I want them to hold up.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

duplicolor has great paint and clear coats you can get at autozone. also on ebay they have awesome lookind rude decals with american flags in the background for outboards like the new model one. they just dont say etec. and at around 25 a pair its a no brainer. i have a johnson i plan to do this with .

Use a rattle can from BRP. You will get an exact match of the color by going to http://www.shop.evinrude.com and look up your model year. In the parts listing there will be a paint section listed click on it and get the primer and top color listed. Sand the cowl down but not to the glass mat, fill in any chips with Bondo spot putty and sand that down. You can take pictures before of you remove your decals with a measuring tape and shoot them off to Darryl at iguanagraphix.com he does super work and will get everything as close to original as possible.

Thanks guys!
I didn't think of using spray paint - too easy I guess http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

OOPS one more question.

The paint on the cowl has several scratches and chips with 1 area about 3" X 3" down to the white material underneath the paint (not the glass). Do you think I should fill the scratches & chips, or sand off all of the paint? There is a good bond around all of the damaged areas.
thanks

I'd do exactly as Fred said. Worked for me. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

Scuff it up real good, fill the scratches and gouges with spot putty, sand it smooth and level, prime it, scuff it up again and shoot it with factory rattle can paint. (I clear coated over the color)

The job on my spare hood for my old OMC motor.

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...ringafter2.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...uringafter.jpg

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by F2008 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I'd do exactly as Fred said. Worked for me. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

Scuff it up real good, fill the scratches and gouges with spot putty, sand it smooth and level, prime it, scuff it up again and shoot it with factory rattle can paint. (I clear coated over the color)

The job on my spare hood for my old OMC motor.

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...ringafter2.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...uringafter.jpg

</td></tr></table>
came out great http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

Nice work http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

O.K. that clears that up!

I've got 1 project lined up for the winter! I think I'm going to use the color paint on the newer motors and maybe use some updated decals - sort of like giving the old girl a fashion makeover. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

Thanks guys!

..... then I sold the motor to Jeff A and he had Darryl make him some custom decals. When you're ready, check out http://www.iguanagrafix.com he does some very cool stuff.
Take your time, good luck.

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk303/F2008/jeff.jpg

meh, customizing crap depreciates the value, especially if you drop evinrude stickers on a Johnson.

All a matter of opinion. .......and it's an old refurbished Johnson cowl on top of an Evinrude motor.