Best tools for removing encrustation from prop and shaft

[eddystone]

Generally I've tried to use plastic scrapers and bits of wood to remove barnacle/tube worm encrustations from bronze prop and stainless steel shaft but these can only go so far, especially on fiddly bits like teeth of the rope cutter. I'm wondering whether it's OK to use the sharp end of a chisel, carefully, especially a round section one I have, and/or a wire brush? I would plan to finish off with progressively finer grades of wet and dry. I will be anti-fouling prop but not the shaft - I'll probably use udder cream on that.

 

[sailorman]

brick cleaner will shift it in no time

 

[Sneaky Pete]

I have done mine recently by scraping the larger parts with a small flat screwdriver then finishing off with a disc wire brush on a power drill do not press to heavily into metal. The wire brush was the kind that looked like it was made from brass wire. No need to polish as the wire brush did it all. Undercoated prop and when antifouled, or use some spray antifoul.

 

[sailorman]

I have done mine recently by scraping the larger parts with a small flat screwdriver then finishing off with a disc wire brush on a power drill do not press to heavily into metal. The wire brush was the kind that looked like it was made from brass wire. No need to polish as the wire brush did it all. Undercoated prop and when antifouled, or use some spray antifoul.

Prop-O-Drev primer & a/f work well i also give mine some hard boot top too

 

[KevB]

brick cleaner will shift it in no time

+1

 

[Sans Bateau]

+1

+2

 

[wrr]

Use ascending grades of wet-and-dry paper but wet the paper with spirit vinegar. This rapidly dissolves the calcium exoskeletons and forms a nice white paste without scratching the metal excessively. I have found that this makes the job much easier and quicker. Don't forget the goggles and gloves!

 

[AntarcticPilot]

brick cleaner will shift it in no time

+1. I cleaned mine using diluted Hydrochloric Acid (about 5%) and left the propeller overnight in a bucket. Absolutely no damage to the metal, and all the barnacle and tube-worm deposits were removed completely. Brick Cleaner is primarily hydrochloric acid.

It is my experience that abrasive methods tend to preferentially remove the metal around the deposits.

 

[bigwow]

brick cleaner will shift it in no time

Will soaking in brick cleaner damage the rubber and splined insert on Volvo folding props?

 

[Stork_III]

Will soaking in brick cleaner damage the rubber and splined insert on Volvo folding props?

Rubber & splines will be ok, but there is an aluminium part to the rubber insert,so not a good idea to soak the prop hub.OK to brush on but don't leave for long time.

 

[Len Ingalls]

Household bleach 6% will kill & loosen it.Let it sit for a bit,& brush with stiff bristle.Wear eye protection,gloves % foulies.

 

[duncan99210]

We use a decorators scraper to get rid of most of the growth then finish off with a stainless steel pan cleaner (looks like a Brillo pad but stainless). Then polish with brasso or similar for a nice finish.

 

[Georgio]

Last year I bought a 3M product for removing paint/rust, it's a disk of coarse Scotchbright type material that goes in the end of a drill, it did a great job of cleaning the prop without damaging it.

3M seem to have pulled the product unfortunately which is a shame as I had to but another from over use of the first. Halfords do something similar but it looks much coarser, bought one but yet to try it out.

 

[GrahamM376]

+1. I cleaned mine using diluted Hydrochloric Acid (about 5%) and left the propeller overnight in a bucket. Absolutely no damage to the metal, and all the barnacle and tube-worm deposits were removed completely. Brick Cleaner is primarily hydrochloric acid.

It is my experience that abrasive methods tend to preferentially remove the metal around the deposits.

The hydrochloric acid off the shelf in supermarkets here is 33%, barnacle glue fizzes off shaft and cutter in seconds and it shifts anti foul as well.

Was wondering whether to clean countless layers off the P bracket with it but Google results indicate not a good idea on bronze, brass etc.