Cleaning stainless prop

[buchwheat]

I have a neglected SS prop on my 87 140 Johnson. Has years of built up exhaust grime. Tempted to use an abrasive then polish?? It's really cooked on. Tried a fine steel wool takes some off not all. Have part of it soaking now with BB grill cleaner. Suggestions appreciated. Thanks

 

[robert graham]

Wire wool/steel wool works fine...then polish with Brasso or similar....

 

[ericcarr2000]

I use a stainless steel ball sort of looks like steel wool.

 

[robert graham]

When I remove my prop for yearly inspection I polish it on my bench buffing wheel using various grades of polishing compound....prop stays shiny....but it all depends on how pretty/shiny you want your prop....

 

[gm280]

buchwheat, if you have a small pneumatic die grinder, try some 3M scotch bright disks. They come in many different grits and if you ever use them one time, you will be hooks for life. Because it takes so little efforts to get that prop looking like a mirror. Here is a picture of them;

They go on a mandrel and fit a 1/4" die grinder. Amazing how well the polish metals...

 

[buchwheat]

Thanks skippers, I used those scotch brights on a 1/4 drill yrs ago. Trip to hardware in am then shine er up.

 

[bruceb58]

Wire wool/steel wool works fine...then polish with Brasso or similar....

Never want to use plain steel wool for cleaning anything stainless steel as it will leave tiny pieces of the wool embedded in the metal which will rust.

They make stainless steel wool for this purpose.

Just so you know, there is no real performance advantage of having a polished prop. In fact there are some camps that say it is actually slower. Same reason that waxing the bottom of your boat makes it slower.

 

[Frank Acampora]

And if you really want a mirror finish buy the three compound kit at Sears and a couple of cloth wheels. Start with black or white. Finish with jeweler's rouge

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Run it through the rocks.
That will keep the grime off.
Atleast thats what I end up doing to mine.
:noidea:

 

[ericcarr2000]

Lol since when does waxing the bottom of your boat make it slower??

 

[bruceb58]

Lol since when does waxing the bottom of your boat make it slower??

Since always!

In fact, boat racers including sailboat racers sand their hulls to make them go faster. if the surface is slightly rough, it creates a boundary layer that actually reduces friction.

You want a laminar flow of water and not a turbulent flow. Waxing causes a turbulent flow. Same reason golf balls have dimples. A smooth ball doesn't travel as far.

http://www.boatingmag.com/photos/20-...usted?image=11

 

[ericcarr2000]

Hmm then maybe I should start sanding the bottoms of my skis to go faster,

 

[Scott Danforth]

Boat down here with shifting channels and small islands and you will shine that prop

 

[bruceb58]

Hmm then maybe I should start sanding the bottoms of my skis to go faster,

If you are using them to ski over liquid water, you should!

 

[ezmac]

idlespeed, That's a hoot

 

[ericcarr2000]

Lol no I meant snow skis....

If you are using them to ski over liquid water, you should!

 

[bruceb58]

Lol no I meant snow skis....

Wax is fine for those.

Do a google search on the subject. Learn all about laminar and turbulent flow until your head hurts. I know it sounds weird that wax would slow a boat down but it does. We would never ever notice it but a sailboat racer might.

 

[Idlespeedonly]

I have some gas rc boats.
I can pick up about 4 mph by sanding the bottom.
400 grit is what I use.