Brand New SS Prop now scratched!! What's the best way to fix?

[RVAHA]

My 2 week old prop met the bottom of the lake while getting ready to pull up a skier this weekend. <br /><br />Luckily, I don't think that it damaged it to bad. It mostly has scratches on it and some rough spots on the edges.<br /><br />Whats the best way to fix this? I tried some steel wool, and then tried wetsanding with 400 grit sandpaper. This removed most of the scratches on face of the blade, but removed much of the sheen. The edges still have some rough spots.<br /><br />Any suggestions on polish/abrasives/techniques that I should use???<br /><br />Thanks

 

[RVAHA]

Re: Brand New SS Prop now scratched!! What's the best way to fix?

ttt<br /><br />Thanks!!!

 

[airman]

Re: Brand New SS Prop now scratched!! What's the best way to fix?

talk to a prop shop about polishing, or try a polishing compoud with a power buffer. For the nicks, get a 1/2 round file, approriate size, and blend out the nicks. Blend to about a 4:1 ratio, ie if the nick is 1/8" deep blend the area out at least 1/2" and match the blade's contour as best you can. It hurts to blend out over a larger area but the end result it surprisingly good, both to the eye and to the water flow. You need to be careful about balance if you take much off one blade.

 

[airman]

Re: Brand New SS Prop now scratched!! What's the best way to fix?

Sorry, you said rough spots, not nicks (although I've seen some pretty deep "rough spots" before). They can be removed with a large, flat,fine file. Go slowly and you'll be fine.

 

[ufm82]

Re: Brand New SS Prop now scratched!! What's the best way to fix?

Wait a minute on that file...<br /><br /> Carbon steel and stainless don't get along well. When you use a steel file on SS you will embed particles of the file in the prop. This will make it very tough to recondition if you ever need to have that done. It really screws up the prop. <br /><br /> The best method for removing light damage from a SS prop is with varying coarseness of emery cloth- start with a lower number to remove material and go higher as you work. Finish with 600 and then 1000- then get a cotton buffer wheel and some metal rouge- buff to a mirror finish. If the nicks are bigger than you can EASILY take out, the prop needs professional help. A prop whizzing along at a few thousand RPM can really cause problems if it is out of balance and that kind of speed can make a mountain out of a molehill. <br /><br /> Just don't put the steel to the steel. They don't like each other. <br /><br />UFM82

 

[RVAHA]

Re: Brand New SS Prop now scratched!! What's the best way to fix?

Thanks for the responses. I like the emory cloth idea. I've not used a file on it because I concerned about balance. I actually had good luck with the 400 grit wetsand. I also bought some stainless steel polish. I'll finish up with it.<br /><br />BTW - the marks on it are mostly scratches - ie, your fingernail could barely grab them.<br /><br />Thanks!!

 

[airman]

Re: Brand New SS Prop now scratched!! What's the best way to fix?

I see what you're saying about the file/steel issue. I've done it to my prop with no problems though.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Brand New SS Prop now scratched!! What's the best way to fix?

airman, problem comes when prop-shop tries to weld using SS rod with the TIG, and it's contaminated,(the prop) and will not weld for crap.I'm an IA and I've tried to transfer some tech myself....some works, some don't.....