Polishing Propeller

[G DANE]

I just bought a used stainless propeller for my Evinrude. This propeller has some roughness on trailing edge from hitting small objects in water, but no dings or dents. It feels rough when you run a finger down trailing edge. Is it OK just to sand it with 150 and then 600 paper till it is smooth. How do I buff it afterwards to remove the sanding marks and restore gloss all over ? Should trailing edge be sharp or clouse to ?

 

[ob]

Re: Polishing Propeller

GDane,I guess you are refering to the leading edge of the prop .Sanding strating with 100 grit or so and working down to say 320 or even 600 and then following with some polishing compound should give you the results you are looking for.

 

[G DANE]

Re: Polishing Propeller

Thanks OB - leading edge of coarse. What kind of buffing compound - where do I get that ?? Should I sharpen it ?

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Polishing Propeller

I'd suggest you leave the polishing job with a workshop who has the tools for it.<br /><br />It is matter of several polishing compounds -from coarse to fine- and a skilled hand.<br /><br />Do a search in Google for 'metalsliberi' and you'll get a list covering any part of the country.

 

[ob]

Re: Polishing Propeller

Don't know what products are available where you live ,but on my motorcylces and stainless fixtures ,I use Mothers stainless polish.There are many different brands that work reasonably well for polishing all types of metal once the surface has been sanded to a fine finish.Only thing you'll need to supply is the elbow grease.Good luck and tell us how it comes out.<br /><br />PS- I just finished the left swing arm on my bike.It was previously painted aluminum.Now I can see myself in it.

 

[G DANE]

Re: Polishing Propeller

I'v even got two skilled hands UU. <br />And I'm a svorn Do-It-Yourself guy. Should the leading edge be sharp ? <br />On the old Prop Which is a Solex, it is just round, but on one of my aluminium props it is sharp.

 

[G DANE]

Re: Polishing Propeller

I once polished both sides of motor and the cylinderblock and cylinderhead on my Honda 400 four after a rebuild.<br />It was aircooled, the cylinders were some of a job.

 

[ob]

Re: Polishing Propeller

Sharp but not too sharp.Don't want it so sharp thet the edge can get rolled over when encountering bottom that will reek havoc on your painstaking polishing efforts.

 

[G DANE]

Re: Polishing Propeller

Thanks for the info. Its not that bad - just needs a liitle buffing:<br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2453644995#ebayphotohosting

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Polishing Propeller

I understand you want to do this yourself - at first I thought it needed more work.<br /><br />Look for the sort of compound used for valve seats.<br /><br />Part no. 36-196 from www.biltema.dk at DKK 27 is a two-compound set for this. Any IRMA store sell a soft carborundum-like sponge (designed for kitchen sink maintenance) at a fair price - it'll handle the final finishing.

 

[G DANE]

Re: Polishing Propeller

Thanks I'l try.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Polishing Propeller

If you have a buffing wheel,like on a bench grinder, use "Tripoli" dark gray. It comes in a 3lb. bar. I get it here in the states at McMaster-Carr. They have everything under the sun. 3500+ page online catalog. It's like a wrench's toy store. Have a look.<br /><br /> McMaster-Carr <br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[G DANE]

Re: Polishing Propeller

Thanks Hooty - I do have a buffing whell - clouth type - i will try the compound. I tried some for kitchen use last night and the wheel got black, but the compound should have been more coarse. I will get some other and buff it.

 

[nordy]

Re: Polishing Propeller

Hello round,<br /><br />do you think it makes sense polishing the edges of an aluminium prop as well ?<br />I have a 10x15 on Johnson 30hp.<br /><br />Nordy from Germany

 

[ob]

Re: Polishing Propeller

Not unless you just like the look of polished metal and have some spare time.Dressing off any nicks or imperfections with a file or emory is sufficient in most cases.