descaling props?

[ianainge]

does anyone know how to descale propellers other than a drill with a sanding attachment, there must be something you can spray on to help things along????

 

[burgundyben]

that was the last job for me last year and they put the boat in before I got a chance, there is a domestic cleaning product called 'Cillit Bang' seems v efficient at cleaning scale in the bathroom so I was planning to give tha a try on my props!

 

[Aardee]

Try a pot of DS3, you can get it in the heating section of your local DIY store. Not tried it on a prop, but it certainly seems strong enough!!

Make sure you use gloves/ goggles etc.

 

[mjf]

Chandlers have some barnicle and growth remover.

I have never tried it as I get a chap to buff mine shiny.

Others who have used it on trim tabs and o/d legs / props reckons its very good.

 

[duncan]

yep the Sarbrite one is basically 10% hydrochloric acid adn works great - do not spray in a breeze and use goggles etc etc with it

oxalic acid (again) does it fine too...........

 

[stelican]

Hydrochloric acid works but you need to wear safety equipement. A weak version is sold by builders merchants to clean up brickwork.

 

[splosh]

Patio Cleaner or Brick Cleaner from builders merchants.
It is an ACID, so be carefull yourself. Brush it on and leave a while.
It will turn all the scale and crud white, then simply hose off with water. Mind the hosepipe ban though...

 

[Poignard]

[ QUOTE ]
...a drill with a sanding attachment..

[/ QUOTE ]

This is not much use for serious work.

I removed thick and well attached anti-fouling from my prop using a small Bosch angle grinder fitted with a "Twist Knot" steel wire brush. It cleaned up the prop very quickly, leaving it ready for polishing with w.o.d. paper when I feel energetic.

 

[jhr]

Out of curiosity, I tried some Starbrite Hull Cleaner on my S/S prop (cos I was too tight to pay for yet another bottle of stuff). To my suprise, it worked well and brought it up a treat. I think the active ingredient is hydrochloric acid, so possibly it's even the same stuff as the scale and barnacle remover, but with a different label.

Acid, so - as already mentioned - prenez garde /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Definitely hydrochloric acid. Amazing to watch it get those critters off

 

[tcm]

HCl

yep, a pound for five litres in castorama in france, almost worth a specal trip. Makes short work of produciung sparkly prmary filters too.

 

[carlton]

I use very hot water and a bottle of standard kettle descaler for about £1.50 per bottle per SS prop. Leave it to soak in a plastic bowl overnight and then wipe everything off with a plastic scraper next day. Works a tasty treat, and don't cost a lot.

 

[ArthurWood]

I send a diver down and he scrapes them clean.