Best tools for polishing the prop

[Lucky Duck]

I cleaned off the various crud of the prop this weekend and would like to get it all shiny again.

Looking on the web, there seems to be a vast array of kit that should do the job - what kit have people used sucessfuly?

 

[rob2]

The cleaning and rough polishing can be done in many ways, depending on what tools you have. I've done mine with handscraper, belt sander, wire brush (hand and angle grinder type) but none will give an actual polish. To get it really shiny I use buffing wheels and polishing compound, with hand polishing into the akward bits using Solvol Autosol. You can get polishing kits with wheels and compound on ebay...

Rob.

 

[Halo]

I have just got mine to a lovely mirror like finish, cleaned the crud off with wooden sticks chopped from an old pallet (prior to thier use as fire kindling) and then polished up with brasso wadding. I used the edges of the sticks like a spoke shave and they got the crud off without scratching the bronze.
Some people have recommended brick cleaner but so far I have not needed it
cheers
Martin

 

[john_morris_uk]

I use polishing wheels and polishing soaps from Axminster. A little bit messy but very effective.

 

[TQA]

Is there any reason not to use wet and dry used wet and starting with something around 120 grit and finishing with 400 maybe 600 if I have the time and energy.

My prop is pretty old and well dinged.

 

[Georgio]

I use Wet n Dry, finishing with some fine paper (400-600 ish as suggested), I'd rather go sailing than have the prop any cleaner than that.

 

[Stork_III]

I use Wet n Dry, finishing with some fine paper (400-600 ish as suggested), I'd rather go sailing than have the prop any cleaner than that.

I always use wet/dry after scraping of scale or brushing with brick cleaner. 180/320/600/800 finishing with duraglit wadding. This prop is 9 years old. Take about 2-3 hrs.

 

[Lucky Duck]

I always use wet/dry after scraping of scale or brushing with brick cleaner. 180/320/600/800 finishing with duraglit wadding. This prop is 9 years old. Take about 2-3 hrs.

That looks like the kind of finish I'd like to get!

Off topic - but how long do you find the prop anodes last?

 

[Stork_III]

That looks like the kind of finish I'd like to get!

Off topic - but how long do you find the prop anodes last?

The leg anode is usually 40 % gone, the hub anode still has the screws, after 12 months.