Props and Rudder Cleaning

[CaptFrank]

Is there a way other than wire brushing and sanding flap wheel to remove sea life and get the props to their shinny bronze color (as well as the rudders to new like). I'd like to start my first full season with the underwater stuff in like 'new' condition. After the cleaning I plan to repack the rudders posts.

 

[rustybucket]

Is there a way other than wire brushing and sanding flap wheel to remove sea life and get the props to their shinny bronze color (as well as the rudders to new like). I'd like to start my first full season with the underwater stuff in like 'new' condition. After the cleaning I plan to repack the rudders posts.

Since you're re-packing the rudders, it might be easiest to drop them out of the boat. This will allow easy cleaning of them and a chance to inspect the shafts and logs.

 

[CaptFrank]

Ok good idea.... makes sense

 

[whoover]

Hello, I wire wheeled props and rudders on my 42c with a 4 inch angle grinder last spring. I took about an hour including the shafts. I also gave everything two coats of rustoleum galvanizing paint. After 50 hours of running with half of that at 17 knots it stayed on very well. I do need to touch up the rudders this spring before launch as there is some wear there. I was very pleased with the result but I am in fresh water so that changes things

Walt Hoover.

 

[CaptFrank]

Thanks, looks like that will be my play for tomorrow...(fyi I'm is salt water)

 

[tomrealest]

I had all of my under water metal blasted with glass beads. Never seen any of the metal that shiney.

 

[divert00]

Be very careful with the angle grinder. If you catch the edge of a prop with the wire wheel it will, depending on wheel rotation, hop away from you or back toward your torso/face. First hand experience!

John McCarley
Water Colors
Wrightsville Beach NC

 

[Photolomy]

As part of the haul out, our marina sand blasts (might not be sand), and it does a really good job.

 

[CaptFrank]

Done everything looks great. And yup the angle grinder and wire wheel does 'jump' When the weather warms I'll use a Pettit product the yard guys say works great.... kind of a teflon coating