Painting a Prop

[bugup]

I would like to paint my alluminum prop for the upcoming season. I have heard that you have prepare it a certain way in order for the paint to stay on. Anyone with experience please pass on tips and supplies required.<br /><br /> Thanx

 

[artburr]

Re: Painting a Prop

As I recall from my Navy days (50+ years ago) aluminum requires a special primer. In those days we used zinc chromate.

 

[tengals123]

Re: Painting a Prop

clean well, with wax/greese remover, etch primer and apply plenty of coats, cleanning everytime in between coats.<br /><br />cheers

 

[moderator1]

Re: Painting a Prop

with all paint removed, carefully etch with muradic acid in a spray bottle-don't get any on or in the hub. Do one side and rinse with clean water, dry and do the other side the same, rinse and dry. When you know it's completely dry, spray with zinc chromate, as suggested above, in very light coats-not like you are painting with it...it is a chemical adhesion. 2 very light coats are all that is required. Let dry over night, then coat with spray paint. I have found plastikote's engine paint to stick better than most any other spray can type paint.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Painting a Prop

Have to confess to knowing very little about painting props - but ....<br /><br />Last year we had an aluminum prop that looked the worse for wear, so we rubbed it down with fine abrasive paper, wiped the dust off and sprayed it straight from a silverwheel aerosol can. No primer, or any other preparation.<br /><br />It's taken a hammering for a year now, running every week in salt, and looks just the same as when we sprayed it. No pain flaking - just a few normal scrapes around the leading edges.

 

[Jilly - 5]

Re: Painting a Prop

Go with Stillfishing advice. I do the same thing and it works. Boats involve enough damn projects and expense, without prop coating becoming another one.

 

[bugup]

Re: Painting a Prop

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll give them a try so the boat will look sharp at the seasons first launch.