Prop: Before and After
- Thread starter Rick D
- Start date
quote:
Originally posted by Old_Salt
Rick, LOOKING GOOD!
I've got a couple of jobs for you!
No thank you... this was more than enough fun for 1 season. My other one had some dings in it, so I sent it out to have it professionally repair. When I got it back, I actually said "Are you sure that's my prop?!?" They cleaned and polished this thing so that it looks brand new and has glass like shine to it.. unlike my noble attempt.
--Rick
I bought a used SS Mirage prop of ebay last year for $25. It was in decent shape; just dull looking. I cleaned it up with 600 grit. Looked pretty good. Since I didn't know anything about the prop, I had it shipped out for balancing, polishing, and a new hub. That cost another $180. Prop shines better than a new one. Overall cost was less 1/2 of a new prop.
Props can be cleaned beautifully in a few minutes with use of a small disc sander/grinder and 3M Scotch-Brite Hookit discs with loop backing and 3M Hookit holder pad/shaft. Quick and easy. I never use anything coarser than the Very Fine (blue-green) discs on my NiBrAls as that would be too agressive into the metal. Even with Very Fine, pressure on the metal should be pretty light and kept moving.
Best to have extra discs on hand- 3M sell boxes of 10 (my 4 1/2" diam size is: #61500152188C - "Scotch-Brite Surface Conditioning Disc")
I use the 4" velcro faced pad/holder that screws into the shaft hole of the grinder. http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...O250IANS2O1A3I71_nid=GSQRFKXY4XbeCNJV48G6M2gl
I use a red Makita 4" right-angle grinder with a metric thread hole so I also use an adapter 3M sells to match threads to the holder. http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...7CC0I8J4VNCD0GR5_nid=37B1GZJTDLbeSQSFJR0R56gl
I just watched the online application video for PropSpeed. It should adhere fine to SS or any other properly prepared clean metal.It must be thoroughly roughed up with 80 grit and then very carefully cleaned again with a multi-stage process, then 2 part primer carefully applied and again then finish cleear coat involving well-defined timing. Not real cheap for all the kit and extra stuff if you do it yourself , and my boat yard offered to do it for $350 labor only plus materials. Probably close to $700 all told for this yard to do my two 3-blade 17"D props already off the boat. Then it would all have to be done again next year after removing this year's application I'd expect. I may try it myself sometime but the potential benefit is not worth it to me to have the yard apply it . Doesn't look too hard to do oneself but since timing is important a helper might be handy. If you are thinking of doing this, watch the 2 Detco PropSpeed application videos.
When the props are off like now just before taking them for their annual free PropScan analysis & possible service if needed, for now I'll just stick to the Scotch-Brite discs like the prop shops use, then again follow up with multiple easy applications of Collinite Insulator Wax. That lasts for about 1/2-2/3 of the end-of-April-to-beginning-of-Nov. NE season. I go under and lightly scrub the (ablative) bottom and gear several times a season anyway, so I do a quick rub with a Scotch-brite pad starting in August to keep them smooth. Good to inspect them regularly anyway.
Best to have extra discs on hand- 3M sell boxes of 10 (my 4 1/2" diam size is: #61500152188C - "Scotch-Brite Surface Conditioning Disc")
I use the 4" velcro faced pad/holder that screws into the shaft hole of the grinder. http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...O250IANS2O1A3I71_nid=GSQRFKXY4XbeCNJV48G6M2gl
I use a red Makita 4" right-angle grinder with a metric thread hole so I also use an adapter 3M sells to match threads to the holder. http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...7CC0I8J4VNCD0GR5_nid=37B1GZJTDLbeSQSFJR0R56gl
I just watched the online application video for PropSpeed. It should adhere fine to SS or any other properly prepared clean metal.It must be thoroughly roughed up with 80 grit and then very carefully cleaned again with a multi-stage process, then 2 part primer carefully applied and again then finish cleear coat involving well-defined timing. Not real cheap for all the kit and extra stuff if you do it yourself , and my boat yard offered to do it for $350 labor only plus materials. Probably close to $700 all told for this yard to do my two 3-blade 17"D props already off the boat. Then it would all have to be done again next year after removing this year's application I'd expect. I may try it myself sometime but the potential benefit is not worth it to me to have the yard apply it . Doesn't look too hard to do oneself but since timing is important a helper might be handy. If you are thinking of doing this, watch the 2 Detco PropSpeed application videos.
When the props are off like now just before taking them for their annual free PropScan analysis & possible service if needed, for now I'll just stick to the Scotch-Brite discs like the prop shops use, then again follow up with multiple easy applications of Collinite Insulator Wax. That lasts for about 1/2-2/3 of the end-of-April-to-beginning-of-Nov. NE season. I go under and lightly scrub the (ablative) bottom and gear several times a season anyway, so I do a quick rub with a Scotch-brite pad starting in August to keep them smooth. Good to inspect them regularly anyway.
A 4" Angle Grinder is the friend of the props on your boat. You do not even have to remove the props.
They make a "scotchbrite" type of pad for this grinder. It cleans the props to a bright shine very easily. It did not take my much over an hour to polish both props while still on the boat. Be sure to wear safety glasses.
George
They make a "scotchbrite" type of pad for this grinder. It cleans the props to a bright shine very easily. It did not take my much over an hour to polish both props while still on the boat. Be sure to wear safety glasses.
George
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2001
- RO Number
- 3641
- Messages
- 765
Try MaryKate's "On and Off" or similar acidic product to save a whole bunch of time and elbow grease in getting the hard stuff off.
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2002
- RO Number
- 10868
- Messages
- 820
Yes I would invest in propspeed now. Ours were in for 2 yrs, with PS and they came out looking ztra clean. All hardware.