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Old 05-01-2018, 02:05   #1
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Cleaning prop under water - tips?

My prop has accumulated too many barnacles for my comfort but I’ll haul out soon. I’m nonetheless playing with ideas on how to clean it under water without scratching it and I was wondering what clever ideas people here have come up with.

My most convoluted idea so far would be to crunch the barnacles with a plyer and then bag the propeller, expell the sea water from the bag and then inject vinegar. Let it stew for a day, remove the bag and wipe off the remaining bits with a blue kitchen scrubbing pad. What could possibly not work as planned?

Might still give it a shot some day but I’d first like to hear from people who actually did clean their prop under water and did so efficiently, preferably without scuba gear.

Thanks!

(I searched the forum for this topic but it didn’t turn up anything. Should there be an existing thread then please give me the link.)
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Old 05-01-2018, 02:13   #2
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Re: Cleaning prop under water - tips?

It's metal, don't be so gentle with it. First try a plastic scrapper. If that doesn't work use a metal one. You can round over the corners on the metal scrapper to reduce marring.
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Old 05-01-2018, 02:14   #3
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Re: Cleaning prop under water - tips?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2big2small View Post
(I searched the forum for this topic but it didn’t turn up anything. Should there be an existing thread then please give me the link.)
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ods-50840.html
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Old 05-01-2018, 02:19   #4
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Re: Cleaning prop under water - tips?

Brass putty knife.
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Old 05-01-2018, 02:38   #5
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Re: Cleaning prop under water - tips?

When you do haul it out, what are you going to do so that this doesn't happen again?

I am using this stuff with reasonable results in a very high fouling area. However, I have two propellers so I can prep one and then just change them over rather than trying to paint it whilst the boat is out of the water. Doing it at home in the heated shed slowly helps the paint stick.

PYI Inc. | Velox Plus Antifouling Paint

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Old 05-01-2018, 08:22   #6
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Re: Cleaning prop under water - tips?

You're overthinking the problem ;-)

Just scrape the barnacles with whatever tool will get them off. You're not going to damage the prop unless you start bashing on it with a hammer. A few scratches will not affect the prop at all, and no one is going to see it anyway.

Regards,
David
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Old 05-01-2018, 08:48   #7
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Re: Cleaning prop under water - tips?

I use a varnish scraper.
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Old 05-01-2018, 09:05   #8
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Re: Cleaning prop under water - tips?

On our boat we've used PropPurr on the prop. Everything wipes off with fingers and sometimes a fingernail. Last year, after running the engine hard to make an early haul-out time, the prop was absolutely clean. Some light grassy strings, not wiped off by hand the day before, were gone.
PropPurr creates a very thin silicone layer on bronze props. Because it chemically bonds to the copper in bronze and does not rely upon a mechanical bond, the prop surface when cleaned can and should be very smooth. The smooth surface also help prevents growth from mechanically bonding to the prop. In addition, the smooth prop surface improves prop efficiency.
Unfortunately PropPurr does not work well on stainless.
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Old 05-01-2018, 09:05   #9
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Re: Cleaning prop under water - tips?

Always wear gloves when cleaning any part of the underwater portion of a boat..nasty diseases attributed from cuts/abrasions..especially in brackish/ freshwaters like the Cheasapeake Bay..
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Old 05-01-2018, 11:03   #10
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Re: Cleaning prop under water - tips?

A 2-3” putty knife, rinse with fresh water douse with wd40, oil, diesel, leather work gloves, check your zinc.
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Old 05-01-2018, 11:24   #11
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Re: Cleaning prop under water - tips?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Locquatious View Post
On our boat we've used PropPurr on the prop. Everything wipes off with fingers and sometimes a fingernail. Last year, after running the engine hard to make an early haul-out time, the prop was absolutely clean. Some light grassy strings, not wiped off by hand the day before, were gone.
PropPurr creates a very thin silicone layer on bronze props. Because it chemically bonds to the copper in bronze and does not rely upon a mechanical bond, the prop surface when cleaned can and should be very smooth. The smooth surface also help prevents growth from mechanically bonding to the prop. In addition, the smooth prop surface improves prop efficiency.
Unfortunately PropPurr does not work well on stainless.
Got a link? I couldn't find it from your PropPurr name.
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Old 05-01-2018, 11:27   #12
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Re: Cleaning prop under water - tips?

I bought a solid stainless steel spatula at Target. For me, the perfect tool.
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Old 05-01-2018, 11:31   #13
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Re: Cleaning prop under water - tips?

Boy Scout jackknife for the big pieces, followed by a 3M pad... works...
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Old 05-01-2018, 12:26   #14
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Re: Cleaning prop under water - tips?

Pick the guy you least like on your dock or in your anchorage. (the "know it all") Tell him you need a hand for a few minutes. Stuff a few rocks in his pockets, hand him a putty knife and shove him overboard. Then when he is positioned right behind the prop, just put it in reverse and gun it. Clean prop, with benefits.



(this has been a non-politically correct response)
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Old 05-01-2018, 12:41   #15
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Re: Cleaning prop under water - tips?

OK having done this on my buddy's boat since I have no inboard, and holding my breath doing it:
1. You are probably not going to get the prop looking new and spot free, there will still be many small encrustations, but you can certainly get all the big stuff gone and the surface pretty smooth.
2. Putty knife (metal) with corners filed round (those are what scratch it)
3. That super rough 3M pad works ok once big stuff is down,
4. Those metal scouring pads for cleaning pots and grills work ok too.
5. I LIKE your idea about a bag injected with vinegar, I am going to try that next time!
6. You'll probably end up deciding that the $40 or $50 or whatever for a diver to do it will be worth it.
7. As long as you are there, replace the zinc.
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