Prop shaft protocol

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BobT

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Sep 29, 2008
239
Gulfstar 37 North East River, Chesapeake Bay
To paint or not to paint is one question. I have pulled the shaft to do cutless bearing and dripless shaft seal. I've cleaned the bottom paint and wonder if there's reasons not to get paint on it again. There is a little bit of wear on the aft end of the cutless bearing; about .002" indent. The rest is pretty smooth.

Theories and experience?
(Photo should be attached if the iPhone app can handle it.)
Thanks
 

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May 27, 2004
2,059
Hunter 30_74-83 Ponce Inlet FL
If you are asking whether you should paint the prop shaft section that is inside the cutlass bearing, my answer is a resounding NO! Painting the rest of the shaft is fine. The kind of paint/primer depends on your crusing area, etc.
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,760
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Painting shafts with regular copper paint is generally frowned upon and only leads to further or exacerbate galvanic issues. Same applies with "bronze" or stainless props. I have seen MANY bronze props last for twenty years then some guy paints one and it is dezincified in a season..

If you really want to paint it barrier coat the shaft then paint it. This will isolate the copper from the Aqualoy, Nitronic 50, or SS. Be SURE to leave a bare spot for zinc about two to three finger widths ahead of the strut.
 
Apr 6, 2009
5
2 240 Muskegon MI
Painting shafts with regular copper paint is generally frowned upon and only leads to further or exacerbate galvanic issues. Same applies with "bronze" or stainless props. I have seen MANY bronze props last for twenty years then some guy paints one and it is dezincified in a season..

If you really want to paint it barrier coat the shaft then paint it. This will isolate the copper from the Aqualoy, Nitronic 50, or SS. Be SURE to leave a bare spot for zinc about two to three finger widths ahead of the strut.
What about Zinc Coat Barnacle Spray by pettit? Does it cause the same issues at copper paint?
 

capejt

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May 17, 2004
276
Hunter 33_77-83 New London, CT
eh, not really

What about Zinc Coat Barnacle Spray by pettit? Does it cause the same issues at copper paint?
I tried it a couple years ago after reading some good things, but in all honesty, I never really noticed any difference from not painting it. It was still covered in barnacles at the end of the season.
Not sure about the de-zincing properties after only one season of trial.
 

BobT

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Sep 29, 2008
239
Gulfstar 37 North East River, Chesapeake Bay
Thanks for the background info. I think I will clean it up and leave it bare this season. Where the shaft has been sheltered up in the stern tube, there seems to have been less barnacles than on the painted areas anyway.
 
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