Cleaning props

T

Twin Buoys

Member
Joined
May 15, 2004
RO Number
13643
Messages
70
What should I use to clean/polish my props this Spring? I have an inboard setup. My boat is on land at this time. Last year I saw a couple of people cleaning their props by using a grinding wheel attached to a standard drill. Is this the way to do it and if so, what type of grinding wheel should I get? Thanks in advance.
 
I would think you'd be better off with a wire brush on a drill or angle grinder than with a grinding wheel.
 
Guys I know use the sand bar at the mouth of the river!
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I believe they were using some sort of a wire brush (sorry about stating it as being a grinding wheel). Does anyone know of the type of wire brush (for a drill) that would be needed (size, coarseness, etc.)?
 
I spray "ON-OFF" sraight out of the bottle and let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse them off with fresh water. If anything is left on I use fine grade emery cloth.

Bill
 
You have to be careful when using a wire wheel or grinding wheel. Any material you remove from the blade will effect the balance for the prop.

What exactly are you cleaning off the prop?

Jonathan
 
I'm trying to clean off remaining parts of zebra mussels and also get them to shine like new. Am I better off just cleaning and not worrying about getting them to shine like new again?
 
quote:
Originally posted by Twin Buoys

I'm trying to clean off remaining parts of zebra mussels and also get them to shine like new. Am I better off just cleaning and not worrying about getting them to shine like new again?

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Send them to a prop shop for reconditioning...it's the off season. It'll cost you a handful...but they'll look great and be in "tune".
 
I get my aluminum prop "retuned" every year. It is important that your prop be correctly balanced to protect the drive shaft and such. A slight balance of the prop problem may not be discernible with the naked eye, but can still damage the shaft. Consider it cheap insurance.
 
To clean stainless Steel props that have been in fresh water, like the Great Lakes, just soak them in a bucket of white vinegar overnight and then wipe them clean and polish with a soft cloth. Makes them just like new again.
 
Talking IB props here, use a heavy duty wire brush on an angle grinder. Be careful.
 
A grinder Flap Disc works the best, it will not cut into the metal like a hard disc. Here is a picture. Don't work the prop too much, just get the rough stuff off, if you want it to look new have it done at a prop shop

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Been using 50/50 muriatic acid/water on bronze props for some 20 years now. Spray on, let sit a minute or so & rub off with 3M pad. Scrub one blade while another is wet with mixture. Rinse well; will look like new. ***WOULD NOT USE ON ALUMINUM PROPS !!!!!!
 
I should probably replace my prop before the season open(its pretty rough)needs replacing how do I deturmin what size pitch I need I assume that I can use the old one for wefrence as to size but want to make sure the new prop is the bes it can be. and if it matters it will ba aluminium.
 
BobJ ... what exact type of 3M pads should I get here? I think I'll go this route (maybe use the On & Off stuff).
I'm pretty sure I've got bronze props. Stupid question, If they appear to look bronze/gold in color, does this mean they're bronze. Again, these are props for a vee drive inboard configuration on an 02 Cruisers. Does anyone even use SS props with this configuration (a late model vee drive inboard application).
 
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