Good propeller paint

[Sail debvz]

My question is just that.....what's a good propeller paint.

[Jim Cate]

Prop-speed or Prop-gold have proven to be very effective in this part of the world.

Jim

[bobofthenorth]

Cold galvanizing zinc spray bombs is what we used 4 years ago. We could still see some of it when we hauled last week so we did it again. Probably about 3 maybe 4 coats after sanding the old paint off. There was some small growth but really remarkably little. YMMV.

R.J.(Bob) Evans
www.bobandmarilyn.ca

[SVNeko]

+1 on the cold galvanizing zinc spray. Cheap and as effective as anything else we've tried.

[Uncle Bob]

Can't help with what works the best but I can tell you that surfboard wax doesn't. Regardless of what some will tell you!! (Don't ask how I know)

[a64pilot]

I use a type of Lanolin / wax, I think it's called Lanacote? Is not meant it be anything except a release that makes growth removal easy and it is good for that, clean off the prop, polish it a little with a green pad and re-apply every time I clean the bottom.
Next haul out I intend to try Prop Speed.
Isn't cheap, but if it works I'm OK with the price.


Sent from my iPad Pro using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Seymore]

Never Wet. Use two part, get it at a hardware store.

Westsail Owners Association - Never Wet

[EWOL Props]

I confirm, Prop-Speed and Prop-Gold are so far the best choice also in our experience

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Prop-speed or Prop-gold have proven to be very effective in this part of the world.

Jim

[Island Time O25]

+1 on cold galvanizing zinc paint. Only $5 at Walmart or HD. Use about 3 or 4 coats. Lasted all of season, early May to late October, with some to spare when hauled out. Probably would've lasted all year.

PS WM sells a fancier named version for over $30. Used it once and gave it away the next season as it did not work as well as the cheaper versions.

PPS Hope no Walmart or HD execs read this as the prices of their zinc sprays will be adjusted to "marine grade".

[seandepagnier]

does this cold galvanizing paint work on anchor chain?

[Jim Cate]

There have (as usual) been conflicting reports about the use of zinc paint on props. My years long observation of growth on my zinc anodes leads me to question its efficacy.

Prop speed and Prop gold do not rely upon the weak antifouling capabilities of zinc metal, but provide a surface that is difficult for fouling organisms to attach to. My experience is that some growth will form, but is easily wiped off with the bare hand. And, the more you use the prop, the better the anti fouling works... but even when left static for weeks, the growth does not attach well and comes off, often just from the spinning of the prop.

Anecdotal reports of successful zinc usage for all of six months do not sound very convincing. Folks who don't haul their boats for winter storage need better stuff!

And FWIW, the Prop Speed on our prop has been effective for nearly three years now, much to my surprise. but, I'll be replacing it next week if the rain holds off!

Jim

[minaret]

Velox.

[Island Time O25]

Originally Posted by boat_alexandra

does this cold galvanizing paint work on anchor chain?

As far as I know it does. And anchors also, of course.

A few years back I sanded and re-painted my old and sorry looking Danforth. Used 2 black auto-prime coats. then 2 aluminum coats and finally 2 zinc coats, all sprays. 4 seasons later still looked good but I did not use it often, so may be that's why. That was a while ago and it went with that boat when I sold her.

PS A liveaboard friend recommends painting the anchor and first 20-30 feet of chain with white vinyl epoxy paint or some such. He says it helps to locate the anchor when needed and looks good otherwise.

[SVNeko]

Originally Posted by boat_alexandra

does this cold galvanizing paint work on anchor chain?

Not for long. It wears off quickly.

[SVNeko]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

There have (as usual) been conflicting reports about the use of zinc paint on props. My years long observation of growth on my zinc anodes leads me to question its efficacy.

Prop speed and Prop gold do not rely upon the weak antifouling capabilities of zinc metal, but provide a surface that is difficult for fouling organisms to attach to. My experience is that some growth will form, but is easily wiped off with the bare hand. And, the more you use the prop, the better the anti fouling works... but even when left static for weeks, the growth does not attach well and comes off, often just from the spinning of the prop.

Anecdotal reports of successful zinc usage for all of six months do not sound very convincing. Folks who don't haul their boats for winter storage need better stuff!

And FWIW, the Prop Speed on our prop has been effective for nearly three years now, much to my surprise. but, I'll be replacing it next week if the rain holds off!

Jim

Different strokes, I guess. Prop speed seemed to do nothing for us when we tried it. Bad application, perhaps. But we haul only every two years and 3 or 4 coats of zinc paint get us through entirely. Its not a magic coating and you have to clean now and then, but it has proven much better than no coating.