Cleaning the Prop - What Tools / Methods ?

[Uncle Bob]

A paint scraper with the corners rounded off will not dig in to the bronze and make the chore somewhat quicker.

Rob.

[Chief Engineer]

And who did it?

Originally Posted by foggysail

I wash mine with hydrochloric acid using an acid brush. The stuff really cleans up most of the growth mess. I think this method is OK with bronze props. Mine are copper plated, hydrochloric does not eat copper so I don't worry about it. When finished, I just wash off with a hose. But hydrochloric acid won't leave any residue.

My friends use an orbital sander which does work. But I don't want to damage the copper plating on mine with a sander.

[zeehag]

wood and plastic are excellent boat bottom tools. my neighbor dives my boats and uses a scraper then a bronze bristles brush on the hard stuff on th eprop-- usually isnt much hard stuff on prop. i use a walker bay scooped oar on the water line from in my kayak--lol, but the bronze prop gets special treatment.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by DWT

A 2 1/2" paint scraper for the prop blades. The scraper also has a 1/2 semi cicle cut out of the side to do the prop shaft. Keep the blade sharp and it makes it easier. I'll then take some #60, wet/dry sandpaper to the blade to get the last of the barnicles off. All done with a mask and snorkel.

I second the use of this scraper.. it's perfect for the prop and shaft. Then, instead of sandpaper, I use 3M metal finishing pad (the brow/reddish one). If you ever use it you will always use it. If on the hard use it like if wet-sanding.

ciao!
Nick.

[Wand]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

The prop is pretty nasty right now, so I figure I'll need to go at it with a rotary sander of some type to blast the crap off when it's out of the water next. Once that's done and I drop it back in, what's the proper technique for under water preventive maintenance.

The easy way is to not let the barnacles attach in the first place. A smearing of lanolin grease heated with a hairdryer keeps the prop perfectly clean between haulouts. The hull might be a forest but you can still see your reflection in the polished blades.

[Hudson Force]

"Different strokes for different folks" - I was surprised to read from posts above that some recommended non-flexible paint scrappers. I always select a flexible putty knife about two inches wide with the corners ground off. I find it more efficient to have the flex of the blade follow the curve of the prop to remove the barnacles and scale. I use a simple snorkel and free dive as my single prop is reached with little effort and I have also been able to change my zinc with about five breath intervals. Definitely gloves, except when trying to fumble with the allen wrench for the new zinc.

[mbianka]

Funny you should ask about cleaning the prop here is what I use and it works very well. Even has a rounded notch which helps on the prop shaft:
THE BIANKA LOG BLOG: JUST SCRAPPING BY
It is also useful to clean the BBQ grill grates.

[sailnautilus]

I am a sea-faring wench who must keep the bottom of her 52' boat clean in Florida- so here's some obvious tips you guys may find helpful.......
-wear a weight belt- makes it easier to get under!
-wear gloves- I like the knit gloves with rubber palms or an old pair of diving gloves
-a hookah or tank with regulator makes the job alot easier, but can be done with snorkel
-I have a Maxprop- I don't scrape it if possible, only use very stiff brush to preserve prop. If I am lazy and miss a hull cleaning, I always go and clean just the prop at least...
- West Marine sells a great new bottom scraper with a couple of blade shapes and a big protective handle- a little pricy at about 25$, but mine has lasted over a year and you can do a much better job due to the design.
-Remember, if you are scraping barnacles, plug your ears or wear a dive hoodie as the displaced barnacles are seeking a new home. Many emergency room trips in FL are because somebody cleaned a boat bottom and now has a barnacle critter lodged in an ear canal!!!

Happy Scraping!!!!

[fstbttms]

The hull cleaners best friend.

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

The hull cleaners best friend.

I was waiting for you to chime in on this thread. Just a regular old wire brush huh?

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

I was waiting for you to chime in on this thread. Just a regular old wire brush huh?

Pretty much. It does have a scraper on the end.

[bstreep]

It depends on what you are taking off of your prop.

Here in Corpus Christi, we have the world's fastest growing barnacles. Dime sized in about 2 or 3 weeks. I don't thing a wood or plastic scraper would work.

I used to use a 1" wood chisel. Now I use a "10 in 1" paint scraper. As noted, it is excellent on the prop shaft.

[foggysail]

Originally Posted by Chief Engineer

And who did it?

I DID THE WORK!!! And I will do it again this year as in years past.

Foggy

[svrodeorm]

Originally Posted by sailnautilus

design.
-Remember, if you are scraping barnacles, plug your ears or wear a dive hoodie as the displaced barnacles are seeking a new home. Many emergency room trips in FL are because somebody cleaned a boat bottom and now has a barnacle critter lodged in an ear canal!!!

Yuk, that's new to me! And doesn't sound appealing at all to provide FOC housing for squatting critters...

I am amased at how many seems to use steel scrapers on their soft bronze (?) props.

would never do that. A piece of wood yes. Or plastic - as a credit card or ice scraper or something along those lines...

[bstreep]

Originally Posted by svrodeorm

Yuk, that's new to me! And doesn't sound appealing at all to provide FOC housing for squatting critters...

I am amased at how many seems to use steel scrapers on their soft bronze (?) props.

would never do that. A piece of wood yes. Or plastic - as a credit card or ice scraper or something along those lines...

Wow. Maybe THAT's what the problem was! I do use earplugs now!

I have no choice - we have a LONG growing season here, and they grow quickly. I try and do them every 2 weeks - but there's no way a credit card or ice scraper would work.