PROP BLADE PREP

[twodzusfittings]

I have recently acquired a used three bladed prop that will fit my boat. It will be a while until the boat is hauled for bottom work at which time I will swap the props out. I would like input on how to prep the prop in order to avoid barnacle build up and fouling. I've met other sailors who have had great results in using Prop speed, but the amount you have to buy would cover four to five props, is not cheap and in my opinion wasteful for one prop.
So I turn to all of you. What do you do? A step by step process explanation along with branding product recommendations would be really great. Here it's not about selling a brand but the experiences you have had with what works well and what does not. Thanks.

 

[dlochner]

The least expensive and short lived, maybe one season if you don't motor a lot, is one of the zinc spray paints, Pettit makes one and there are several other brands, including Rustoleum Galvanizing spray paint.

We're using Crystal Prop this year as we travel. Easier to apply and less expansive than Prop Speed, but still expensive at about $120. It is a new product, so there is isn't much experience with it.

 

[twodzusfittings]

On my currently mounted prop, I used the Rustoleum Galvanizing Spray, however I believe I might have applied it in a wrong manner. I sprayed it directly on. After some drying time (a week), when mounting the prop, the applied spray started flaking. Should I have applied a base primer?

 

[dlochner]

On my currently mounted prop, I used the Rustoleum Galvanizing Spray, however I believe I might have applied it in a wrong manner. I sprayed it directly on. After some drying time (a week), when mounting the prop, the applied spray started flaking. Should I have applied a base primer?

Did you clean and sand the prop with 80 grit?

 

[BigEasy]

What do you do? A step by step process explanation along with branding product recommendations would be really great. Here it's not about selling a brand but the experiences you have had with what works well and what does not. Thanks.

Just coated my prop a few weeks ago. I coated with interluxe 2000e two part epoxy. Let it dry until it until not fully cured, but hard enough until it doesn't stick to thumb pressure when touching. Then "hot coat"/overcoat with antifouling paint. Unfortunately, I don't know the longevity because I haul out on a multi year schedule. 2000e is an excellent primer for metal & barrier coat for fiberglass. I always purchase a quart when hauling out to touch up rust spots on the keel, so I have some on hand to coat the prop also. Read about this several years ago in a sailing rag, sorry that I can't provide more detail. Don't expect multi year longevity on a prop with any coating.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Yipes !

With all that work and expense, I find it far cheaper and easier to have someone standing by with a scowl on their face but ready to scrape and lightly wet sand (about 480 grit) the prop until clean.

IMO and living in hope, I believe most of my prop fouling occurs in the winter when the prop does not turn from November to May. A little bit messy at times but somehow seems to depend on the year :

A really dirty prop and shaft is about 15-20 minutes of cleaning by one person. Ends up bare bronze on the prop with a few small stains. We only get 1/2 hour out of the water for a half lift and pressure wash. If we were to try exotic prop coatings, the cost would be well above my pay grade just for the cost of the full haul-outs alone.