Prop cleaning in the water

[hoppy]

This spring I'll have my dive gear on board and plan to scrub the hull and check/replace the anodes.

I'm just wondering what is the best thing to use when cleaning the prop? I know I should stay away from using a wire brush.

Perhaps a scotch pad is best or is there something better?

[Wotname]

Depends on the degree of fouling; sometimes a chamois, othertimes a oyster knife

[a64pilot]

If it's a bare metal prop, and the brush stainless, why stay away?

[Reefmagnet]

I use a stainless paint scraper and a coarse industrial grade scotch brite. If you clean regularly only the scotch brite is needed.

Sent from my SGP521 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

If it's a bare metal prop, and the brush stainless, why stay away?

This post is why
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post810939

Originally Posted by WeekendSailor

Hello,

I will appreciate your suggestions for cleaning a heavily fouled bronze propeller.

I have a two blade folding Flex-O-Fold standard propeller that did a great job of attracting barnacles over the last two years. Fortunately when the marina hauled the boat last week for the winter they got the actual barnacles off the prop but it is still covered with their remains, lots of little raised white circles.

I wrote to Flex-O-Fold for advice and they cautioned me to avoid scratching the blade’s surface and they suggested that I clean it with the same kind of acid you use to clean your coffee machine; well I clean my coffee pot in the dishwasher. If you have overcome this situation I will sincerely appreciate your suggestions.

Thanks

I have a flexofold

[fstbttms]

If there is hard growth, you will need a scraper and/or a wire brush. You can follow up with stainless steel wool or a Scotchbrite. Anything less is unrealistic.

[grae]

What Reefmagnet said!

Also, I've started using a snorkel with an extended hose tied to my stern ladder rather than having to get tanks filled etc - usually ok up to about 2-3 feet, after that it gets a little hard to breath!

G

[a64pilot]

I read that post, and still can't come up with a reason to not use a stainless steel or bronze brush, although I am sure taking pieces of plexiglass and breaking them would be best, we used to do that to scrape sealer off of magnesium aircraft parts and a piece of broken plexiglass is sharper than you might think, wears out pretty quickly too though.

I've got a new prop and I have Lanocote on it, I wasn't sure I would be propped correctly and didn't want to try to get the manufacturer to exchange it with bottom paint or prop speed or something on it, but I could clean off the Lanocote. I hope the Lanocote of sex wax will work at least until I pull the boat again, or I may just pull the prop in the water if the growth is too bad.

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I read that post, and still can't come up with a reason to not use a stainless steel or bronze brush, although I am sure taking pieces of plexiglass and breaking them would be best, we used to do that to scrape sealer off of magnesium aircraft parts and a piece of broken plexiglass is sharper than you might think, wears out pretty quickly too though.

I've got a new prop and I have Lanocote on it, I wasn't sure I would be propped correctly and didn't want to try to get the manufacturer to exchange it with bottom paint or prop speed or something on it, but I could clean off the Lanocote. I hope the Lanocote of sex wax will work at least until I pull the boat again, or I may just pull the prop in the water if the growth is too bad.

Bronze is softer than steel, so using a steel brush will probably wear away at the surface of the prop. Whilst one scrub might not be noticeable other than perhaps under a microscope, maybe 20 years of scrubbing will make a difference. A bit like why you should not use a brush on a teak deck.

Thats my guess anyway.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by hoppy

Whilst one scrub might not be noticeable other than perhaps under a microscope, maybe 20 years of scrubbing will make a difference.

Having performed 25,000 in-water hull & running gear cleanings over the last 20+ years, I can assure you that this is a non-issue.

[svJasmine]

I use a brass putty knife type thing from snap on. It is made to scrape gaskets and be softer than the base. It will not harm a bronze prop.

good luck using scotchbrite pads on a fouled prop.

Makes me chuckle.

[hoppy]

Ok... maybe I shouldn't worry and use what's most effective.


BTW what do people find is best to use for scrubbing the bottom? In the past I used a plastic scrubbing brush that normally I use to clean the shower floor. I would probably just get a bigger brush unless someone has a better suggestion

[Xlantic]

I use white 3M pads.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by hoppy

Ok... maybe I shouldn't worry and use what's most effective.


BTW what do people find is best to use for scrubbing the bottom? In the past I used a plastic scrubbing brush that normally I use to clean the shower floor. I would probably just get a bigger brush unless someone has a better suggestion

White 3M Scotchbrite or Doodlebug pad or carpet.

[hoppy]

Thanks... I guess the white is the less abrasive.

The Doodlebug with handle and white pads look good, thanks